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Building a system for extraction and utilization of biogas at Bratovo Landfill, Bourgas
Municipality of Bourgas
Background
Biogas emission from city domestic waste landfills is one of the characteristic environmental problems associated with the exploitation of this kind of facilities. A main biogas component is the methane (CH4) which is generated during the anaerobic fermentation of the organic matter contained in the waste. Methane is one of the main gases that cause the Greenhouse Effect, but it also constitutes a highly calorific energy source.
The project aims at introducing an efficient, environmentally compatible system for extraction and utilization of biogas from Bratovo Landfill. This will allow, on the one hand, eliminating a considerable source of pollution that endangers the health of the local population, and utilizing a valuable source of energy, on the other. The project paid attention to the alternative of utilizing the biogas also for electric- and heat-energy production that can serve to meet household needs as well as be used in an incinerator for burning dangerous medical waste.
Biogas emission from city domestic waste landfills is one of the characteristic environmental problems associated with the exploitation of this kind of facilities. A main biogas component is the methane (CH4) which is generated during the anaerobic fermentation of the organic matter contained in the waste. Methane is one of the main gases that cause the Greenhouse Effect, but it also constitutes a highly calorific energy source.
The project aims at introducing an efficient, environmentally compatible system for extraction and utilization of biogas from Bratovo Landfill. This will allow, on the one hand, eliminating a considerable source of pollution that endangers the health of the local population, and utilizing a valuable source of energy, on the other. The project paid attention to the alternative of utilizing the biogas also for electric- and heat-energy production that can serve to meet household needs as well as be used in an incinerator for burning dangerous medical waste.
Practice
To the successful realization of the Biogas project has contributed the cooperation with qualified partners. One of them was the American company Brown, Vence and Associates which had a considerable background in evaluations and surveys of the introduction of biogas installations. Other important partners were:
- Control Marketing Planning a consultant company with a background in the sphere of legal and finance procedures, management and business cooperation;
- Bulgarian Dutch Foundation Greener Bourgas analyses and consultations in the sphere of environmental management.
The beneficial partnership on international, national and local level during project s realization is a new approach to the solution of a number of problems that have a social, economic and environmental aspect.
The main goals of the project include:
- Creation of a new source of renewable energy, reducing the dependence and the indispensability of the atomic energy and the import of solid fuels;
- Decrease of the emissions of greenhouse gases in accordance with the requirements of The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Kyoto Protocol;
- Solution of the critical environmental problems of the Municipality of Bourgas in accordance with the market relations and policy;
- Demonstration of project s results as a model for other municipalities.
The project was realized at four main stages:
Stage 1: Conducting a pre-project survey
Stage 2: Financial analysis
Stage 3: Building
Stage 4: Exploitation and maintenance.
At Stage 1 the pre-project survey and the selection of an adequate system for extraction and utilization of biogas at Bratovo Landfill were carried out. The alternatives were analyzed and conceptions were drawn up in accordance with the biogas available, the market value of the products, the possibility for technical innovation and the influence on the environment were introduced. Within the framework of Stage 2 a financial analysis of the process of building the recommended system was conducted. In accordance with the surveys and analyses conducted at stages 1 and 2 it was concluded that the utilization of biogas from Bratovo Landfill would be the most advantageous for the production of electric energy. Stage 3 initiated the building and the introduction of the facilities. A priority task for the realization of Stage 3 was the provision of the investments necessary for building and installment, as well as conducting the necessary engineering tests of the facilities. The subsequent Stage 4 will allow starting the initial exploitation of the system for extraction and utilization of biogas at Bratovo Landfill, Bourgas.
The project was awarded a grant under the EcoLinks program of the United States Agency for International Development amounting to $50 000. Within that grant s framework were realized the first substantial stages, namely the exploration and the project work.
To the successful realization of the Biogas project has contributed the cooperation with qualified partners. One of them was the American company Brown, Vence and Associates which had a considerable background in evaluations and surveys of the introduction of biogas installations. Other important partners were:
- Control Marketing Planning a consultant company with a background in the sphere of legal and finance procedures, management and business cooperation;
- Bulgarian Dutch Foundation Greener Bourgas analyses and consultations in the sphere of environmental management.
The beneficial partnership on international, national and local level during project s realization is a new approach to the solution of a number of problems that have a social, economic and environmental aspect.
The main goals of the project include:
- Creation of a new source of renewable energy, reducing the dependence and the indispensability of the atomic energy and the import of solid fuels;
- Decrease of the emissions of greenhouse gases in accordance with the requirements of The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Kyoto Protocol;
- Solution of the critical environmental problems of the Municipality of Bourgas in accordance with the market relations and policy;
- Demonstration of project s results as a model for other municipalities.
The project was realized at four main stages:
Stage 1: Conducting a pre-project survey
Stage 2: Financial analysis
Stage 3: Building
Stage 4: Exploitation and maintenance.
At Stage 1 the pre-project survey and the selection of an adequate system for extraction and utilization of biogas at Bratovo Landfill were carried out. The alternatives were analyzed and conceptions were drawn up in accordance with the biogas available, the market value of the products, the possibility for technical innovation and the influence on the environment were introduced. Within the framework of Stage 2 a financial analysis of the process of building the recommended system was conducted. In accordance with the surveys and analyses conducted at stages 1 and 2 it was concluded that the utilization of biogas from Bratovo Landfill would be the most advantageous for the production of electric energy. Stage 3 initiated the building and the introduction of the facilities. A priority task for the realization of Stage 3 was the provision of the investments necessary for building and installment, as well as conducting the necessary engineering tests of the facilities. The subsequent Stage 4 will allow starting the initial exploitation of the system for extraction and utilization of biogas at Bratovo Landfill, Bourgas.
The project was awarded a grant under the EcoLinks program of the United States Agency for International Development amounting to $50 000. Within that grant s framework were realized the first substantial stages, namely the exploration and the project work.
Results
The realization of projects of such a large scale includes specific approaches in both technical and economic aspect. The Municipality of Bourgas proved it was capable of being an adequate partner in negotiation and search of investments. Surveys of the market for renewable energy sources were conducted, as well as economic analyses of the alternatives, which are an important factor in finding potential investors. The demonstration project for biogas utilization for the landfills can serve as a model for other municipalities in Bulgaria as a whole, organized in compliance with the requirements of the new legislation.
The results proved the possibility of developing a market and of an increase in the demand of energy products, obtained as a result of biogas systems introduction. The surveys ascertained that the biogas obtained at the Bratovo Landfill is suitable for extraction and effective for utilization and that there are technologies suitable for the practical transformation of the biogas into useful and utilizable forms of energy. As a result of this, it is possible that substantial revenues and financial reserves be received, so that all operative costs be covered.
The realization of projects of such a large scale includes specific approaches in both technical and economic aspect. The Municipality of Bourgas proved it was capable of being an adequate partner in negotiation and search of investments. Surveys of the market for renewable energy sources were conducted, as well as economic analyses of the alternatives, which are an important factor in finding potential investors. The demonstration project for biogas utilization for the landfills can serve as a model for other municipalities in Bulgaria as a whole, organized in compliance with the requirements of the new legislation.
The results proved the possibility of developing a market and of an increase in the demand of energy products, obtained as a result of biogas systems introduction. The surveys ascertained that the biogas obtained at the Bratovo Landfill is suitable for extraction and effective for utilization and that there are technologies suitable for the practical transformation of the biogas into useful and utilizable forms of energy. As a result of this, it is possible that substantial revenues and financial reserves be received, so that all operative costs be covered.
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