Landfill Gas Reclaimation
Landfills are now viewed as potential energy fields. Methane gas that's produced and released in a landfill is 23 times more potent than the carbon dioxide. Instead of allowing that methane gas to escape or be captured and flared, Global Energy researchers have optimized the means to capture it at the landfill site, remove the harmful components with filters and separation chambers, and then use it to make electricity, or inject it into a natural gas distribution system.
Typical landfill gas is only comprised of 45% to 50% methane content. High BTU projects are defined by the quality and BTU content required by natural gas pipelines, typically greater than 96% methane content.
Landfills can produce methane for decades, but meaningful amounts are only produced for 15 to 35 years after closing of the landfill. High BTU landfill projects can produce pipeline quality gas while the landfill is still in operation, as well as up to 30 years following landfill closure.
Medium BTU projects require a limited level of landfill gas clean-up, and the methane they produce is used as fuel for a variety of engine generators. Medium BTU landfill gas is used directly in boilers to produce steam, or is converted to electricity then sold to a utility electric grid.
