Landfill Gas
Methane-rich landfill gas is created as organic solid waste gradually breaks down through the process of anaerobic decomposition. The biogas consists of approximately 50% Methane, 49% Carbon Dioxide and 1% trace gases, which, if allowed to emit into the atmosphere, are significant contributors to global warming. Methane is approximately 21 times more damaging as a greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide and therefore capturing methane and converting it to energy reduces the emissions from the landfill and reduces reliance on fossil fuels.
The biogas is extracted from a landfill via the drilling of wells and installation of a network of pipes (the collection system) installed in the landfill site. Vacuum pipelines connect each well into one larger header pipeline which channels the extracted gas to a gas collection and control skid. The skid‘s main components consist of a blower, a condensate knockout, multiple pneumatic valves, data collection devices, a flare stack, and an inbuilt computer that monitors and controls each component. The blower creates a vacuum on the landfill gas system and extracts the gas out of the wells. The gas then passes through the condensate knockout, is then analysed, and finally, purified.