Energy production from biogas in a closed landfill: A case study of Prados de la Montana, Mexico City

摘要

The aim of this study was to evaluate the energy potential of the Prados de la Montana (PM) landfill in Mexico City. The quality of biogas generated by this landfill was monitored in 2013 under passive and forced extraction conditions across 112 extraction wells forming an integrated biogas extraction network. Based on the preliminary results, we can conclude the following: (1) the methane content of biogas produced at the PM landfill was around 45-69%. (2) Forced extraction favored air intrusion through superficial cracks and reduced the methane content of the biogas mixture. (3) Assuming a recovery efficiency of 75%, the biogas flux was estimated at 1081m(3) h(-1) (at least 1.8 MW) according to the Mexican model of biogas v. 2.0 for the year 2013. This flux value was less than the value obtained from direct measurement (1505m(3) h(-1)). A biogas recovery of 908m(3) h(-1) is currently estimated, equivalent to 1.5 MW. In conclusion, a good quality and high quantity of biogas is produced at the PM landfill. The characteristics and location of the PM landfill make this landfill an opportune site for biogas production.