A Comparison of Gas Emissions Between a Sanitary Landfill and an Incineration Plant Using the Monte Carlo Simulation

Abstract

This study aims to quantify and compare a number of gas emission such as Carbon Dioxide (CO2), Carbon Monoxide (CO), Nitrogen Oxides (NO), Particulate Matters (PM) and Dioxin, and the potential energy that can be recovered from sanitary landfill and incineration plant using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) together with Monte Carlo method, from the Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) in Quezon City as input. There is a widespread transition from landfilling to incineration plant due to its low land occupation and material and energy recovery from wastes, thus, also being promoted in the Philippines, especially in Metro Manila by some government entities and agencies (DENR, 2017; Li et al., 2015). Monte Carlo method is used to simulate the variation in the input of the MSW assuming it has normal probability distribution then undergo LCA by applying the emission factor, stoichiometry, and gas model to estimate the considered output. Using a t-test, the researchers have found that the emission of both technologies is comparable with each other by examining the result. The CO₂and CO of the sanitary landfill are statistically significant and higher compared to incineration, on the other hand, NOx, PM, Dioxin, and energy potential of the sanitary landfill is statistically significant and lower compared to incineration. Based on the result, one can assess the amount of gas emission produced, as well as the benefit of potential energy that can be recovered from the two technologies.