Landfill Gas to Energy Applications in India: Prefeasibility Analysis of Mumbai Landfills

Abstract

Landfill gas (LFG) is a useful by-product of landfills, and it has potential to be harnessed as an energy resource instead of being allowed to escape into the atmosphere. Landfills in India are often unengineered systems that have no LFG collection facilities. The aim of the study was to explore the various options available for LFG capture and utilization and conduct a prefeasibility analysis for various options dealing with LFG, including flaring and landfill gas to energy (LFGTE) projects. A closer look was taken at the municipal solid waste (MSW) management practices in Mumbai, India, where three landfills (Mulund, Deonar, and Gorai) were studied. The prefeasibility assessment when applied to the three landfills indicated that the capping costs and the costs for bringing the landfills to sanitary conditions are high. However, preliminary results indicated that LFGTE projects have the potential to generate favorable economic returns.