how many megawatts of electricity can generated from methane gotten from a liquid waste of 12,000 metric tons daily?

To estimate the amount of electricity that can be generated from methane derived from liquid waste, we need to follow several steps:

1. **Estimate the amount of methane produced from the waste**: The amount of methane produced depends on the composition of the waste and the efficiency of the digestion process.

2. **Convert methane to energy**: Calculate the energy content of the produced methane.

3. **Convert energy to electricity**: Determine the efficiency of the conversion process from methane to electricity.

Let's break it down step by step:

### Step 1: Estimate the Methane Production

1. **Methane Yield from Waste**: On average, 1 metric ton of organic waste can produce about 100-200 cubic meters of methane. We'll use an average value of 150 cubic meters per metric ton for this calculation.

\[ \text{Methane produced} = 12{,}000 \text{ metric tons/day} \times 150 \text{ cubic meters/metric ton} = 1{,}800{,}000 \text{ cubic meters/day} \]

### Step 2: Convert Methane to Energy

2. **Energy Content of Methane**: The energy content of methane is approximately 35.8 megajoules per cubic meter (MJ/m³).

\[ \text{Energy content} = 1{,}800{,}000 \text{ cubic meters/day} \times 35.8 \text{ MJ/m}^3 = 64{,}440{,}000 \text{ MJ/day} \]

### Step 3: Convert Energy to Electricity

3. **Conversion Efficiency**: The efficiency of converting methane to electricity using a generator is about 35-40%. We'll use 35% efficiency for this calculation.

\[ \text{Electrical energy} = 64{,}440{,}000 \text{ MJ/day} \times 0.35 = 22{,}554{,}000 \text{ MJ/day} \]

4. **Convert MJ to MWh**: There are 3.6 MJ in a kWh. 

\[ \text{Electrical energy in MWh} = \frac{22{,}554{,}000 \text{ MJ/day}}{3.6 \text{ MJ/kWh}} = 6{,}265{,}000 \text{ kWh/day} = 6{,}265 \text{ MWh/day} \]

Therefore, the electricity generated from the methane obtained from 12,000 metric tons of liquid waste daily would be approximately **6,265 megawatt-hours (MWh)** per day.

Would you like further details or have any questions about this calculation?

Here are 5 questions you might consider asking:
1. How do various factors affect methane yield from organic waste?
2. What are the typical efficiency rates for methane-to-electricity conversion technologies?
3. Can methane production from waste vary seasonally or regionally?
4. What are the environmental impacts of generating electricity from waste-derived methane?
5. How is methane from waste typically captured and processed for electricity generation?

**Tip**: Methane production efficiency can vary significantly based on waste composition and digestion conditions. Regular monitoring and optimization are crucial for maximizing energy yield.

Discover how to estimate electricity generation from methane obtained from 12,000 metric tons of liquid waste daily. This detailed solution covers methane production estimation, energy content calculation, and conversion efficiency. Get insights into the process with step-by-step calculations.

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