Estimation of Methane Production and Electrical Energy Generation from Municipal Solid Waste Disposal Sites in Pakistan

Ihsanullah Sohoo, Marco Ritzkowski, Zubair Ahmed Sohu, Senem Önen Cinar, Zhi Kai Chong and Kerstin Kuchta
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Ihsanullah Sohoo: Institute of Environmental Technology and Energy Economics, Hamburg University of Technology, Blohmstr. 15, 21073 Hamburg, Germany
Marco Ritzkowski: Institute of Environmental Technology and Energy Economics, Hamburg University of Technology, Blohmstr. 15, 21073 Hamburg, Germany
Zubair Ahmed Sohu: Oil and Gas Development Company Limited, OGDCL House, Plot No. 3, Jinnah Avenue, F 6/1 Blue Area, Islamabad 44000, Pakistan
Senem Önen Cinar: Institute of Environmental Technology and Energy Economics, Hamburg University of Technology, Blohmstr. 15, 21073 Hamburg, Germany
Zhi Kai Chong: Institute of Environmental Technology and Energy Economics, Hamburg University of Technology, Blohmstr. 15, 21073 Hamburg, Germany
Kerstin Kuchta: Institute of Environmental Technology and Energy Economics, Hamburg University of Technology, Blohmstr. 15, 21073 Hamburg, Germany

Energies, 2021, vol. 14, issue 9, 1-17

Abstract: This work aimed to estimate the annual methane production from the municipal solid waste disposal sites in Pakistan. In this study, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) default methodology was used to estimate theoretical methane formation potential of the waste disposal sites in major cities of Pakistan. The estimates of this study are based on the last population census conducted in the year 2017 and latest available data regarding the waste generation and management practices in the cities considered in the study. Results showed that 31.18 million tonnes of municipal solid waste (MSW) is generated annually. The top 10 major populated cities in Pakistan (with 20% share in country’s population) contributing 31% share in the total quantity of MSW generated in overall country. On average 50–60% of the MSW generated is collected and openly dumped at the designated waste disposal sites. After analyzing the data, we estimate that annually 12.8 MtCO 2 -eq of methane is emitted from the waste disposal sites in major cities considered in this study. The methane produced from the waste disposal sites can be sustainably utilized as a source of energy through transforming MSW disposal sites (open dumps) to sanitary landfills with methane capturing and utilization facilities. In the present scenario of waste management and methane formation potential, sanitary landfills would generate 62.35 MWh of electric power if 25% of the methane was recovered and utilized in power generation.

Keywords: methane emissions; municipal solid waste; landfills; electrical energy; methane recovery; power generation; greenhouse gases (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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