Power the future through landfill gasification

Landfill gas (LFG) is a complex mixture of many different gases created through the action of microorganisms within a landfill. As the putrescible materials in the landfill begin to break down, landfill gas production occurs. When chemical reactions and microbes act on waste. The production rate is directly affected by the geometry of the landfill and by the composition of the waste. These factors influence the bacterial populations within the landfill, its chemical composition, moisture ingress, gas escape, and its thermal characteristics.

Landfills are by nature heterogeneous. Within most sites, there is a wide range of biological ecosystems and physical conditions. The heterogeneity and unclear nature of the contents makes LFG production difficult to calculate and control compared to standard industrial bioreactors in wastewater treatment. The constant production of landfill gas causes the discharge of the gas into the atmosphere. Environmental, safety and hygiene problems become major concerns arising from these emissions. In addition, the risks of fire, explosion and contamination of groundwater by organic compounds exist in almost all landfills.

The gas produced in landfills must be monitored due to the risk posed by LFG since some of these gases produced are dangerous. Tracking techniques have been developed. To measure methane levels and total VOC levels, flame ionization detectors can be used. Monitoring of the surface, subsoil and ambient air must be carried out regularly.

Biogas is between 40% and 60% methane and the rest is mainly carbon dioxide. It also contains varying amounts of water vapor, oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen sulfide, and other non-methane organic compound (NOMC) contaminants. These NMCOs typically represent less than 1% of the biogas. Mercury, an inorganic contaminant, can also be found in landfill gas.

The GRS are managed through
• Flaring
• Boiler (heat generation)
• Internal combustion engine (electricity production)
• Gas turbine (electricity production)
• Fuel cell (electricity production)
• Conversion of methane to methyl alcohol

It has been estimated that there are about six thousand landfills in the US alone. Most of these landfills are made up of municipal waste, so they are already producing methane. These are the main sources of anthropogenic methane emissions in the US, contributing an estimated 460 billion cubic feet of methane each year.

The gases produced in landfills can be collected and used to generate heat or electricity. Landfill gasification projects (conversion of methane gas into energy) have increased since 2005. They have been very popular because they control energy costs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Waste management uses LFG as an energy source. It can generate enough energy to power 400,000 homes every day, which in effect can offset almost 2 million tons of coal every year.