Print this page Landfill Gas-to-Energy Development
John Poullain, P.E.
Course Outline
This three-hour online course provides basics of landfill gas (LFG) collection, treatment and use in energy recovery systems. It describes procedures for modeling LFG generation as an important step in developing an energy project. Also covered are available technologies that can be used for converting LFG into a useful energy form and how to choose among the potential energy recovery systems. The regulatory requirements and summary of applicable regulations are discussed.
This course includes a multiple-choice quiz at the end, which is designed to
enhance the understanding of the course materials.
Learning Objective
The following topics are covered in the course:
- Sources and characteristics of landfill gases (LFG);
- Types of gas collection and treatment systems;
- Benefits of LFG energy projects, economic and environmental;
- Steps used to develop LFG energy projects;
- Procedures for modeling LFG systems;
- Available technology options for converting gases into useful energy;
- Characteristics of energy recovery systems;
- Basics of the EPA Landfill Gas Emissions Model (LandGEM);
- Factors affecting the accuracy of LFG recovery projects;
- Available resources for energy project development; and
- The EPA Landfill Methane Outreach Program (LMOP) with web site links.
This course is intended for civil engineers, project engineers and planners, State and local agencies and contractors.
Benefit to Attendees
The student will become familiar with basics of landfill gas (LFG) collection, treatment and use in energy recovery systems.
Course
Introduction
Approximately 250 tons of solid waste was generated in the US in 2008 with about 54% deposited in municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills. Landfills produce several types of gas and condensate during the bacterial decomposition and chemical reaction of municipal, industrial, and hazardous waste materials. Landfill gas contains about 50% methane and 50% carbon dioxide. It is classified as a medium BTU gas with heating value about half of NG. Methane has more than 20 times the heat trapping potential of carbon dioxide.
Several of the factors affecting generation of land fill gas (LFG) include types of waste and nutrients, temperature and moisture content and atmospheric conditions. Both aerobic and anaerobic decomposition occur, sometimes both at the same time. Biological decomposition takes place in three phases, the Phase 3 or methanogenic stage, produces the most methane gas, 40% to 70% concentration.
Environmental benefits of LFG energy projects:
- Reduces emissions of greenhouse gases.
- Offsets use of resources such as coal and NG.
- Improves local air quality.
Course Content
This course is based on the US EPA’s LMOP publication, “Project Development Handbook”, chapters 1, 2, and 3 (2010 Edition, 47 pages), PDF file.
Please click on the above underlined hypertext to view, download or print the document for your study. Because of the large file size, we recommend that you first save the file to your computer by right clicking the mouse and choosing "Save Target As ...", and then open the file in Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you still experience any difficulty in downloading or opening this file, you may need to close some applications or reboot your computer to free up some memory.
Course Summary
This course can serve as a guide for the development of LFG energy projects and points out factors to consider for beneficial use. The basics of collection, treatment systems and technologies for converting LFG to energy are described. Modeling for LFG generation and steps required for a successful energy project are covered.
References
For additional technical information related to this subject, please refer to:
http://www.epa.gov/lmop/basic/basic-info
EPA reasons for LF, safe operation of collection and treatment system. It covers the EPA requirements, the importance of methane collection, uses for energy and serves as a guide for landfill owners/operators, developers.
http://www.nrel.gov/docs/legosti/fy97/23070.pdf
National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL) of the Dept. of Energy document, “LFG O&M Manual of Practice”. It covers the LFG fundamentals, control, collection, regulations, and O&M.
http://www.epa.gov/lmop
EPA’s Landfill Methane Outreach Program (LMOP) has information on landfill gas-to-energy projects.
Quiz
Once you finish studying the above course content, you need to take a quiz to obtain the PDH credits.
DISCLAIMER: The materials contained in the online course are not intended as a representation or warranty on the part of PDH Center or any other person/organization named herein. The materials are for general information only. They are not a substitute for competent professional advice. Application of this information to a specific project should be reviewed by a registered architect and/or professional engineer/surveyor. Anyone making use of the information set forth herein does so at their own risk and assumes any and all resulting liability arising therefrom.
