The parameters for heat generation of municipal solid waste (MSW) are the basis for studying the temperature variation and utilization of heat resource in landfills. Inverse estimation of parameters for heat generation due to degradation in landfills was proposed based on the peak heat generation model obtained from laboratory tests

heat conduction theory and the Levenberg- Marquardt (LM) algorithm. One-dimensional heat conduction model was established according to practical working situation of landfills

and analytical solution was then obtained. Base on the measured temperature data of a certain depth

the parameters for heat generation were obtained by inversion using the LM algorithm. The temperature at any depth of the landfill can be calculated with the parameters. The peak heat generation rate

the time corresponding to a peak heat generation rate and total heat generation of the landfill can be calculated using the heat generation parameters. Taking the Taohuashan Landfill in Wuxi

China and the Michigan Landfill in the United States as examples

the parameters of heat generation due to degradation were obtained by inversion. The temperature of the measuring point outside the inversion point was calculated by using the degradation heat production parameters obtained from the inversion

and compared with the measured values to verify the rationality and applicability of the inversion model. It is found that the laboratory test has a larger peak heat generation and an earlier peak time than the practical landfill engineering. Compared with the Michigan Landfill

the Wuxi Taohuashan Landfill has a higher heat production rate in the early stage

and the time to reach the peak heat generation rate is shorter.