MORE INFORMATION ABOUT LANDFILL GAS

A landfill, also known as a dump, is a site for the disposal of waste materials by burial and is the oldest form of waste treatment. Historically, landfills have been the most common methods of organized waste disposal and remain so in many places around the world. Many American companies and consumers are increasingly turning to alternative forms of energy, and one exciting source that has seen recent resurgence in use is landfill gas. This rise in the use of landfill gas can be attributed to a variety of factors. Higher energy prices make landfill gas cost-competitive, especially compared to other sources of renewable energy. Second, utilities are looking for new sources of renewable energy to meet renewable portfolio standards, and landfill gas is especially valuable to them because it provides continuous base load power.  Landfill gas is produced when microorganisms break down organic material in the landfill, and is comprised of approximately 50-60 percent methane and 40-50 percent carbon dioxide. At most landfills in the United States, especially smaller sites with limited LFG volumes and gas flows below a certain limit, these gases are burned off, or “flared". That's because until now it hasn't been cost-effective to implement smaller LFG power stations due to the lack of adequate equipment. With 2G® landfill gas power modules, operators can now make use of low gas volumes.
     
 
Renewable Energy Generation - Landfill Gas (LFG)   Advanced Technology - Potential for Clean Energy
 

According to EPA data, there are approx. 425 landfills with LFG generation projects in the U.S., powering more than 1 million homes. They estimate that there are about 3000 additional landfills that have the potential to develop LFG projects in the future, increasing the current amount of energy produced from 1,180 megawatts to more than 5,500 megawatts. 2G CENERGY® provides cost-effective cogeneration plants for those landfill operations.

 
 
 

Most landfills produce viable gas streams for up to 20 years. With evolving technology and increasing extraction efficiencies it is expected to extend beyond that. The EPA requires landfill operators to collect the methane produced on site, so where it is not being used for energy production it is simply flared to prevent the release of greenhouse gas. Instead of burning valuable gas resources, 2G CENERGY® is offering a clean energy solution.

 
     
 
 
 

Example Illustration of a Landfill Site


Landfill Basics
The construction of a landfill requires a staged approach. Landfill designers are primarily concerned with the viability of a site. To be commercially and environmentally viable a landfill must be constructed in accord with specific requirements. Typically, in non hazardous waste landfills, in order to meet predefined specifications, techniques are applied by which the wastes are:

A.) Confined to as small an area as possible
B.) Compacted to reduce their volume
C.) Covered (usually daily) with layers of soil

Waste collection vehicles regularly deposit their load. Thereafter, compactors or dozers are used to spread and compact the waste on the working face. Typically the compacted waste is covered daily with soil. Alternative waste-cover materials are several sprayed-on foam products and blankets. Chipped wood and chemically 'fixed' bio-solids, may also be used as an alternate daily cover.

The space that is occupied daily by the compacted waste and the cover material is called a daily cell. Waste compaction is critical to extending the life of the landfill. Factors such as waste compressibility, waste layer thickness and the number of passes of the compactor over the waste affect the waste densities.

Gases are produced due to the bacterial decomposition process of organic material contained in landfills. LFG Landfill gas production results from chemical reactions and microbes acting upon the waste as the putrescible materials begins to break down. Due to the constant production of landfill gas, the increase in pressure within the landfill provokes the gas's release. This gas must be collected and has been traditionally flared off. Many landfill operators have realized that landfill gas is a valuable source to generate electricity and thermal energy.

By avoiding flaring off valuable gas resources, and preventing emissions of methane (a powerful greenhouse gas) through the utilization as a fuel source for energy generation, landfill operators, waste management businesses, electrical utility companies, communities, and municipalities can generate additional revenues, and simultaneously protect the environment and building a sustainable future.
 
   
   See a Video Animation about Gas Extraction
    
 
LFG - Landfill Gas Plants

2G - CENERGY® maintains a very close relation with most leading landfill gas extraction specialists. Our 2G® cogeneration CHP modules easily integrate into all common landfill gas extraction and collection systems.
 
 
 
 
  BIO-TEC® Biogas CHP Cogeneration  
  LAN-TEC® Landfill Gas CHP Cogeneration  
  SE-TEC® Sewage Gas CHP Cogeneration  
  CO-TEC® Coal Mine Gas CHP Cogeneration  
  NA-TEC® Natural Gas CHP Cogeneration  
  SYN-TEC® Syngas CHP Cogeneration
  G-Box® Micro Cogeneration - Compact CHP 
  More Info about Cogeneration CHP 
  Tri-Generation Systems
  Gas Treatment
  More Info about our Container Modules
 


LFG Cogeneration CHP Technologies
are recommended by the U.S.
Department of Energy. 

Back to Landfill Gas LAN-TEC® Cogeneration
   
     

 

We are leaders in the area of LFG cogeneration technology. A thorough understanding of biological processes, landfill gas treatment technologies, many years of plant operation experiences, highly advanced engine and CHP cogeneration technologies, unmatched reciprocating gas engine know-how, and standardized reliable quality products assure successful plant operations.

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