Characteristics of emissions from municipal waste landfills

Biogas is formed by the methanogenic anaerobic bacteria which decompose organic substances. Processes occurring during fermentation of methane involve conversion of organic compounds with various oxidation levels to gaseous final products, mainly methane and carbon dioxide. The process of biogas formation involves the following stages: hydrolysis, acidogenesis, acetogenesis and methanogenesis. The composition and quantity of biogas depend mainly on the chemical composition of organic compounds being fermented, maintenance of fermentation conditions and substrate residence time in the reactor. Biogas generated in the fermentation process is utilised mainly for generation of power and heat.