Sanitary landfilling is a widely recognized solution for disposing of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) and maintaining a clean urban environment. When MSW is stored in oxygen-deprived conditions with rising temperature and moisture, anaerobic biological decomposition of organic waste occurs. This process produces landfill gas, which typically consists of methane (50–65%), carbon dioxide (35–50%), and small amounts of impurities such as nitrogen, hydrogen sulfide, and volatile organic compounds. Landfill gas remains hazardous, continuing to generate for 10 to 30 years after a landfill’s closure.
Risks of Landfill Gas
If not properly collected and treated, landfill gas poses significant ecological and health risks:
- Fire Hazards: Open fires can occur on the landfill surface, and smoldering combustion may happen inside the waste body. Identifying and preventing such fires is challenging, as they often remain undetected until fire or smoke surfaces. These fires can create large cavities within the landfill, causing dangerous settlements, landslides, and slope failures.
- Health Risks: Odors caused by mercaptan impurities (organosulfur compounds) negatively affect the health of residents living nearby. The persistent generation of toxic gases creates long-term problems that are complex and costly to address.
ECOCOM’s Landfill Gas Solutions
To mitigate these risks, ECOCOM specializes in designing landfill gas collection, treatment, and ”landfill gas to energy“ systems that meet all current environmental standards.
Landfill Gas Collection System
A standard landfill gas collection system includes:
- Vertical Wells: A network of wells installed throughout the landfill. Each well has an average gas collection radius of about 50 meters.
- Horizontal Pipes: Pipes connecting the vertical wells to transport the collected gas.
The system should cover both filled waste compartments and those still in operation.
Key Elements of Landfill Gas Systems
ECOCOM’s landfill gas collection, treatment, and energy systems include:
- Landfill gas collection wells
- Horizontal pipe network
- Condensate knock-out pots
- Manifold station
- Condensate collector
- Booster station
- High-temperature flare
- Gas treatment equipment
- Cogeneration plants (CHP)
Objectives of Landfill Gas Systems
The primary goals of ECOCOM’s landfill gas collection, treatment, and energy systems are to:
- Reduce Local Environmental Impact: Minimize the negative effects of landfill sites on nearby communities and eliminate unpleasant odors.
- Mitigate Global Environmental Impact: Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by capturing methane and other harmful gases.
- Improve Safety: Decrease the risk of fires and hazardous explosions within the landfill body.
- Enhance Workplace Safety: Upgrade safety measures for landfill employees.
- Utilize Renewable Energy Sources (RES): Transform landfill gas into a valuable renewable energy resource.
System Efficiency
To ensure maximum efficiency, ECOCOM conducts preliminary theoretical calculations and computer simulations of gas formation within the landfill. These analyses help determine the number of wells required and their optimal placement.
