Landfill Gas Utilization and Control

E-Sessions are from 1:45PM - 3:00PM Eastern time. Registration for E-Sessions closes at 1:00PM Eastern time on the day of the session.

Each registered participant can earn 1 CEU toward their SWANA Certification.
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Landfill gas management is changing the way we look at today’s landfill. Traditionally viewed as an environmental and public health liability, landfills are now looked to as a resource for clean, renewable, and reliable energy production. As a result of the changing energy climate new technologies have been developed to enhance gas collection efficiency and convert it to vehicle fuel. Sites that previously had unfavorable gas utilization economics are now finding it possible to harness their gas for many different applications. This e-session series, hosted by SWANA’s Landfill Gas Division, will update you on the innovative approaches being developed to utilize this renewable resource.


		August 2, 2006 Managing Landfill Gas Collection Efficiency Using Surface Methane Concentrations Speaker: *Ray Huitric*, Division Engineer, Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts, CA Measuring landfill gas collection efficiency is important for gauging emission control effectiveness and energy recovery opportunities. Though long a matter of research, practical quantitative measures of collection efficiency are lacking. The Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts have developed a measure of collection efficiency that determines emissions based on readily acquired field data and modeling using EPA’s Industrial Source Complex (ISC) model. Collection efficiency is calculated as the ratio of collected and generated gases. Generated gases are calculated as the sum of collected and emitted gases. Collected gas flow and quality are routinely measured. The gas emission rate can be determined from a unique application of the ISC model using measured surface methane concentrations and concurrently gathered onsite meteorology. The surface methane data can be readily collected using widely available equipment and methods similar to that used for the landfill NSPS/EG 500 ppm methane compliance limit. A conventional meteorology station required in some regions for landfills provides the necessary windspeed and direction data. Meteorology data preprocessing is necessary for ISC use. EPA and others provide tools or services to perform the preprocessing. Join Ray Huitric, head of the Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts’ Research and Monitoring Group, to discuss: ISC model setup and application parameters, as well as model assumptions and their validity. Uncertainties with the model and their effect on the collection efficiency calculation. The practicality of this method as a useful, cost-effective and functional way to estimate a landfill gas system’s collection efficiency. The implications this process has on the landfill gas field and the applicability of it to your own landfill gas operations.


		August 9, 2006 Landfill Gas Utilization at Small Landfills Speaker: *Todd Davlin, Director of Operations, Granger Energy & Electric and John Byam, Consultant, COMVEST/KSD Coupled with low utility rates and rising costs with generating electricity from landfill gas, it is becoming more difficult to build cost-effective landfill gas to energy projects. Thus the landfill gas industry is shifting its focus to developing direct-use and medium Btu projects. Typically, in order to develop a successful medium Btu project, a landfill must be of relatively good size with a equivalent natural gas consumer within close proximity. However, under certain conditions, smaller scale utilization projects can be quite successful. One such model project is the Decatur-Morgan County Landfill (AL), which has a flow rate of 800 SCFM. This project, developed by Granger Energy and Electric, showcases a number of unique considerations that will provide insight into making landfill gas collection a reality at a small landfill: The Landfill was “Ripe” for Development* because: there was potential for growth – the site is expected to be open for an additional 65 – 75 years; no prior development history; and an opportunity to build a project from “scratch.” The Customer was Chosen Carefully – There are several industrial customers within a 2-mile radius to the Morgan County Landfill. Careful attention was given to selecting a primary customer that has unlimited capacity for current and future landfill gas volumes from the landfill, utilizes other energy sources in the event that there is a disruption in the landfill gas flow, and is in close proximity to the landfill. Thinking “Outside the Box” with Customer Retrofits – Spiking Landfill Gas with Natural Gas in a Mixing Station” – This innovative new concept was established because the Morgan County Landfill will not generate enough landfill gas to fuel all of customer’s gas consumption needs. Therefore, in order to capitalize on utilizing this cost-effective fuel source, it was decided to “spike” the landfill gas with natural gas in a “mixing station.” The mixing station would then feed one of Nucor’s production lines. Complete Collaboration Within the Community! From the “get go”, this landfill gas to energy project has been received and embraced by the entire Decatur, AL community! From the Mayor’s office to the Chairman of the County Board, to Nucor’s President – this project has been a true collaboration and commitment from all. Meadowfill Landfill Gas Recovery & Utilization Project (WV) This E-session will discuss the new technologies and strategies concerning energy development and conservation employed at the Meadowfill Landfill near Bridgeport, West Virginia. Meadowfill, a relatively small landfill, is projected to produce marketable quantities of methane by utilizing both landfill gas removal technology and enhanced coal bed methane production through injection of CO2 into unminable coal seams. The use of a Methane Buster Engine and support system fueled by LFG showed that this projection was attainable during a 2,000 hour test period. This discussion will focus on: Economically feasible capture and utilization of LFG for small and medium sized landfills. Reducing operating costs by generating electricity from the methane-fueled engine power take-off (PTO). Enhancing coal bed methane gas production by injecting carbon dioxide laden LFG into underlying unminable coal seams. Reducing potential odors, leachate contamination, and gas migration off-site from passive venting systems.


		August 16, 2006 Clean Green Fuels Conversion of Landfill Gas to Vehicle Fuel Speaker: *Jeffrey Pierce*, Vice President, SCS Energy High energy costs are impacting nearly every industry in the United States – and the solid waste industry is certainly no exception. Collection costs have historically been the most significant budgetary item for municipalities and firms responsible for solid waste management, and the record-high fuel prices have only compounded the strain these costs have on their operations. In the push to develop alternative energy sources to mitigate the cost of fossil fuels, landfill gas has become a viable option for vehicle fuel through its conversion to compressed and liquefied natural gas (CNG and LNG). These processes are technically feasible and have many economic and environmental benefits, but there is still limited experience with this technology. Only one full-scale project and a handful of demonstration and pilot projects are operating. This presentation will outline the feasibility of developing these utilization projects and provide insight into what the future holds for more wide-scale implementation of converting landfill gas to vehicle fuel. Jeff Pierce, Vice President of SCS Energy, will discuss: The processes and technologies required to successfully convert landfill gas to CNG or LNG and the differences and applications for each fuel; Typical CNG vehicle fuel specifications and LFG/LNG modules; Case studies of the Puente Hills Landfill CNG Project and the Sonoma County CNG Pilot Scale Project, along with the Bowerman Landfill LNG Demonstration Project; Economies of these technologies and the potential impact they may have on the landfill gas industry.

All prices are in U.S. Dollars.