Landfill gas utilization

Waste type Experiment conditions Time of the experiment or hydraulic retention time (HRT) (days) and organic loading rate (OLR) Biogas potential (B)/ biochemical methane potential (CH ) or methane yield Reference 

Source separated municipal biowaste Laboratory scale, batch test. 27 0.4m BkgVS, - Braun et al. 

Biowaste (31%) + Sewage sludge (69%) mesophilic condition (35°C) 30 0.54m BkgVS,- (2003) 

Food wastes from fruit and vegetable markets, households, hotels and juice centres, Laboratory scale, batch test (V = 3,25 dm ), mesophilic conditions (26 4°C) 100 Max. 0.661 m B kg VS Rao et al. (2000) 

Source separated household waste Laboratory scale, batch test (reactor volume 0,1 dm ), mesophilic conditions 60 0.777-0.782 m B kg TS- = 0.808-0.813 m B kg VR Schievano et al. (2009) 

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Thomeloe, Cosulick, Pacey, and Roqueta, Landfill Gas Utilization—Survey of United States Projects. Presented at the Solid Waste Association of North America s Twentieth Annual International Landfill Gas Symposium, Monterey, CA March 25-27, 1997. Published in Conference Proceedings. EPA-ORD 1997. 

Carbonaceous adsorbents are useful in separation processes because of their good kinetic properties and high adsorption capacities. Separation of CO2 from CH4 is reqnired in several applications, such as landfill gas utilization, with approximately 50% each of CH4/CO2 [6], and tertiary oil recovery where the efflnent gas contains approximately 80% CO2 and 20% CH4 as well as other light hydrocarbons [144],... 

The most economical options for landfill gas utilization are direct uses such as process heat and boiler fuel, where the end users are in close proximity (no more thanl.6-3.2 km [1-2 miles]) from the landfill, and whose gas supply needs closely match production at the landfill. In practice, end users are infrequently located near landfills and rarely require continuous fuel in the amounts produced [16]. As of 1992, there were 21 landfills (less than 20% of total energy recovery projects) with use of landfill gas as heating fuel [17]. 

Thorneloe, S.A., 1992, Landfill Gas Utilization - Options, Benefits, and Barriers, 2 Conference on Municipal Solid Waste Management, Arlington, VA, June. 

Landfill gas is usually slightly lighter than air which promotes its release into the atmosphere. Density of LFG lowers with the increase of CH concentration, which is colourless and combustible gas that burns with blue flame (Itodo et al. 2007). Due to the presence of harmful substances, flammability and odour character, the aim is to reduce LFG emissions to the environment, subjecting it to utilization. The choice of the method of landfill gas utilization is influenced by its quality and quantity (Figure 2.1). When the concentration of CH in LFG is in the range of 35 0% and the output exceeds 30 m h, it is technically... 

Jones, T, Gregory, R. Wilson, A. 2007. Role of landfill gas utilization in sustainable landfilling. Report for Sustainable Landfill Foundation. 

Some of the other research studies have addressed topics such as high soHds biomass digestion (154), utilization of superthermophilic organisms (155), advanced reactor designs (156), landfill gas enhancement (157), and microbiology of the mixed cultures involved in methane fermentation (158). 

Landfill G as Recovery. This process has emerged from the need to better manage landfill operations. Landfill gas is produced naturally anaerobic bacteria convert the disposed organic matter into methane, carbon monoxide, and other gases. The quantity of methane gas is substantial and could be utilized as fuel, but generally is not. Most of the methane simply leaks into the surrounding atmosphere. 

Not all of the gas is wasted. About 300 MW of electricity is generated from landfills. A variety of electric generation systems have been employed by a small number of developers. Most projects use simple technology and are small (2—10 MW). However, an EPRI study has estimated that landfill gas resources in the United States could support 6,000 MW of generation if utilized in 2-MW-sized carbonate fuel cells. Constmction on the world s first utihty-scale direct carbonate fuel cell demonstration was begun in California. If successful, EPRI estimates that precommercial 3-MW plants based on this design could become available by the end of this decade at an installed cost of 17,000/kW. 

Northeast Utilities System Press Release, "Converting Landfill Gas into Electricity is an Environmental Plus," June 24, 1996. 

The use of landfill gas and biogas from sewage sludge will develop dynamically in the nearest years. After 2010 it is expected the increase in biogas production from animal husbandry waste. In 2030 total utilization of biogas will amount to 10.2 TWh, and by 2050 it will achieve 17.4 TWh/year. 

Koliopoulos, T.C. 2008a. Carbon dioxide emissions at Mid Auchencarroch experimental site and environmental impact assessment—Utilization of remote sensing and digital image processing software for an integrated landfill gas risk assessment. RASAYAN Journal of Chemistry, l(4) 766-73. 

First commercial-scale landfill gas recovery and utilization facility in the United States... 

Blanchet, M.J. et al. "Treatment and Utilization of Landfill Gas", Mountain View Project Feasibility Study, EPA30-583. 

Molten carbonate fuel cells can use hydrogen, carbon monoxide, natural gas, propane, landfill gas, marine diesel, and coal gasification products as the fuel. MCFCs producing 10 kW to 2 MW MCFCs have been tested with a variety of fuels and are primarily targeted to electric utility applications. MCFCs for stationary applications have been successfully demonstrated in several locations throughout the world. 

Warren D. et al. (1986) Performance evaluation for the 40 kW fuel cell power plant utilizing a genaic landfill gas feedstock , KTI corporation report. 

For the most part, opportunity fuels of primary significance to the electric utility and process industry communities are solids—as is reflected in the previous chapters. However numerous gaseous and liquid opportunity fuels also exist These fuels are typically methane-rich gases such as (not exhaustive) methane recovered in association with coal mining, off-specification refinery gas, coke oven gas, landfill gas, and wastewater treatment gas. Liquid opportunity fuels include hazardous wastes and waste oils that may or may not be considered as hazardous wastes. These fuels are used mainly in small quantities as blends with other fossil fuels or in specialty niche markets. This chapter discusses gaseous and liquid opportunity fuels such as coalbed methane, landfill gas, coke oven gas, and wastewater treatment gas as well as hazardous liquids and waste oils used in cement kiln and other energy applications. 

Figure 7.2. Recent Growth in US Utilization of Landfill Gas as an Opportunity Fuel.

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