Análise de viabilidade técnica e econômica da geração de energia através do biogás de lixo em aterros sanitários.

Abstract

The power generation through Biogas from wastes in landfill is a way to generate renewable and clean electric energy, reducing the global impacts provoked by the burning of urban solid wastes. The more important environmental contribution associated to this project is the reduction of greenhouse gases emissions (GHG), by means of the conversion of methane in carbon dioxide, since the methane has a potential of global warming about 21 times higher than carbon dioxide (through the combustion of the same). In accordance with the clean development mechanism (CDM), the industrialized countries can buy carbon credits from the developing countries (if they possess sustainable projects) to achieve their ambient goals. The objective is to transform environmental liability (final destination of the urban solid wastes) in an energetic resource, beyond the study of the alternative for obtaining financial resources through the CERs, that also is object of the present study. The technologies of energy conversion are analyzed (landfill gas, incineration, among others) with the selection of the best solution for the power generation through biogas from wastes in landifills. The methodology used is the recommended by the United States Environmental Protection Agency - USEPA (2005). Others two methodologies of calculation of the methane generation are presented: from World Bank and from IPCC (Intergovernamental Panel on Climatic Changes). Comparative studies are presented demonstrating when gas turbine, internal combustion engines (Otto or Diesel cycles) or other technologies for energy conversion have technical and economical feasibility for implantation of the power plant. In the case of Gramacho s Landfill, the project is feasible with the use of internal combustion engines and incomes obtained with energy sales and carbon credits. Finally, they are presented the alternative of the use of biogas as substitute of the natural gas for energetic uses or other industrial ends.