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Application of Fuzzy Logic to Estimate Flow of Methane for Energy Generation at a Sanitary Landfill |
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| Authors: | Anurag Garg Gopal Achari Ramesh C. Joshi |
| Affiliation: | 1Senior Water Process Specialist, Colt Worley Parsons, 10201 Southport Rd. SW, Calgary, AB, Canada T2W4X9; formerly, Graduate Student, Dept. of Civil Engineering, Univ. of Calgary, Calgary AB, Canada T2N 1N4. 2Associate Professor, Dept. of Civil Engineering, Univ. of Calgary, Calgary AB, Canada T2N 1N4 (corresponding author). E-mail: gachari@ucalgary.ca 3Professor Emeritus, Dept. of Civil Engineering, Univ. of Calgary, Calgary AB, Canada T2N 1N4. |
| Abstract: | This paper proposes the use of a multicriteria assessment technique to evaluate the methane flow during gas extraction from a sanitary landfill. A number of parameters determine the gas generation and the feasibility for its extraction from a landfill. These parameters form a complex set of information with unknown mathematical interrelationships making potential gas flow evaluations difficult and elusive. In addition, the data available for a particular landfill are very often imprecise, uncertain, or subjective, making it even more difficult to evaluate the potential for gas extraction without conducting pilot tests. The method proposed in this paper uses fuzzy composite programming that allows for the use of imprecise information. A landfill gas potential index has been defined, which can be determined by easily obtainable climatological, geological, and landfill parameters. The landfill gas (LFG) potential index is related to the landfill gas flow using an empirical equation. The LFG potential model was calibrated and verified using data obtained from 61 landfills where gas extraction is being conducted. A sensitivity analysis was done to study the impact of variations in the input data on model output. |
| Keywords: | Landfills Municipal wastes Fuzzy sets Gas flow Methane Energy |