Biological waste treatment
[edit / update model]This category provides calculation for CH4 and, where appropriate, N2O emissions associated with composting and anaerobic digestion. These processes (especially composting) also produce CO2, but since the carbon is of recent, biogenic origin, and therefore not a net contributor to atmospheric concentrations, these emissions are not considered here.
How to use this category
Selecting an emissions scenario
To use this category, select the type of biological treatment (composting, anaerobic digestion) using the type drill choice.
Specifying activity data
Next, set the quantity of waste treated using the mass profile item value. Users can opt to specify the mass in terms of wet or dry weight, although quantities are assumed to represent dry weights by default. To instruct that quantities represent wet weight, set the isWetWeight to 'true'.
Where methane recovery/capture is practised, this can be deducted from the emissions calculation. To specify methane recovery, set the mass of recovered methane in the recoveredMethane profile item value.
Results and calculation
The values returned represent CH4 and N2O emissions associated with the waste quantity specified (minus the methane recovered, where appropriate). The following discrete values are returned:
- N2O: N2O (nitrous oxide) emissions
- CH4: CH4 (methane) emissions
- CO2e: CO2e emissions (both gases, converted using these global warming potential)
Notes
Methane recovery
Where recovered methane is burned for energy production, flared, or fed into a gas distribution system, users are referred to the following categories
| UID | Label |
|---|---|
| NWMKUMW6XXJN | anaerobic digestion |
| CKJJRV0782B3 | composting |