African Journal of
Environmental Science and Technology

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Environ. Sci. Technol.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1996-0786
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJEST
  • Start Year: 2007
  • Published Articles: 1128

Full Length Research Paper

Estimation of methane generation based on anaerobic digestion and mass balance at Kiteezi Landfill, Kampala, Uganda

Drake Mboowa
  • Drake Mboowa
  • Makerere University, Department of Agricultural and Bio-Systems Engineering, P. O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda.
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Noble Banadda
  • Noble Banadda
  • Makerere University, Department of Agricultural and Bio-Systems Engineering, P. O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda.
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Nicholas Kiggundu
  • Nicholas Kiggundu
  • Makerere University, Department of Agricultural and Bio-Systems Engineering, P. O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda.
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Isa Kabenge
  • Isa Kabenge
  • Makerere University, Department of Agricultural and Bio-Systems Engineering, P. O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda.
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Allan John Komakech
  • Allan John Komakech
  • Makerere University, Department of Agricultural and Bio-Systems Engineering, P. O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda.
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  •  Received: 30 April 2015
  •  Accepted: 31 August 2015
  •  Published: 30 September 2015

Abstract

Kiteezi landfill site is the main solid waste dumping site in Kampala City (Uganda). In this study, the generation of methane from waste at Kiteezi landfill was measured using laboratory-scale anaerobic digestion experiment and estimated using the Mass balance model. The samples were collected in the wet and dry seasons, with five replicates for each season which were processed for further experiments focused on moisture content analysis and anaerobic digestion. The moisture content analysis results showed a significant change (P < 0.05) between wet season and dry season. Also, the anaerobic digestion revealed that moisture content was a determining factor in gas generation. The average monthly methane production estimate from the mass balance model was 1.63 Gg methane/month and was comparable (within 14%) to the amount estimated by laboratory-scale anaerobic digestion experiment (1.43 Gg methane/month). It is a worthwhile undertaking to further investigate the potential of commercially producing methane from Kiteezi landfill as an alternative source of green and clean energy for urban masses.
 
Key words: Solid waste management, methane generation, anaerobic digestion and mass balance model.

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