Landfill gas as a renewable energy source, exploring the generation potential and predicting long-term emission: A case study in Khartoum, Sudan

The depletion of conventional energy resources and the rapid increase in municipal solid waste generation are global concerns. Sudan faces a fragile energy situation, with only 54% of the population having access to electricity, and Khartoum generating over 5000 tons of waste daily. Waste-to-energy technologies could address these challenges by providing sustainable energy and effective waste management. This study examines the potential of landfill gas generation and emission estimation using an engineered landfill cell in Khartoum (dimensions: 2 m x 1.75 m x 1.4 m). Five short tons of organic waste were layered in the cell, and gas monitoring using the GFM410 gas analyzer revealed methane (CH4) concentrations ranging from 3.1% to 57% and carbon dioxide (CO2) from 36% to 39%. The addition of moisture was found to enhance methane generation. Using the LandGEM v3.02 model, emissions were predicted for 10 years postclosure, with peak emissions in 2018 reaching 14 m³/year for CH4 and 10 m³/year for CO2. This research highlights the potential of engineered landfills to generate renewable energy while mitigating waste accumulation and controlling greenhouse gas emissions.