An energy perspective on landfill gas

Journal Article · Fri Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1993 · United States Geological Survey, Professional Paper; (United States)

OSTI ID:7048110

Hutchinson, P J ^[1]

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1. Hutchinson Group, Ltd., Murrysville, PA (United States)

Globally, one billion metric tons of organic waste in the form of municipal solid waste are placed into solid-waste containment facilities every year. Complete biodegradation of this waste can generate approximately 2.8x10[sup 11] m[sup 3] (9.9 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) or 1.98x10[sup 8] metric tons) of biogas. Biogas consists of approximately equal proportions of methane and carbon dioxide; thus a year's worth of waste can potentially generate 1.4x10[sup 11] m[sup 3] (5 Tcf or 9.9x10[sup 7] metric tons) of methane. If we assume that landfill-biogas generation began only 20 years ago and has proceeded at a steady rate, then we can estimate that it can contribute 5x10[sup 10] m[sup 3] (1.8 Tcf or 36x10[sup 6] metric tons) of methane to the global atmospheric budget every year. Landfill gas is difficult to recover and use. Exploitation of biogas includes use as a raw product for heat energy, dehydration to produce electric generator fuel, refinement for commercial transportation, and use as a chemical feedstock. Controlled-reactor landfills, called [open quotes]biofills,[close quotes] are designed for optimum methane generation to ensure a steady and consistent rate of gas generation. Biofill mechanisms used to improve gas production include physical and chemical modifications to the modern landfill design. These methods can reduce the gas-generation time from 80 years to 5 years, can reduce the waste mass, and can reduce negative effects on the environment. 134 refs., 4 figs., 4 tabs.

• OSTI ID: 7048110
• Journal Information: United States Geological Survey, Professional Paper; (United States), Vol. 1570
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

09 BIOMASS FUELS
METHANE
PRODUCTION
MUNICIPAL WASTES
WASTE DISPOSAL
SANITARY LANDFILLS
DESIGN
BIOGAS PROCESS
RESOURCE POTENTIAL
SOLID WASTES
USES
ALKANES
ANAEROBIC DIGESTION
BIOCONVERSION
DIGESTION
HYDROCARBONS
MANAGEMENT
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PROCESSING
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE PROCESSING
WASTES
090900* - Biomass Fuels- Processing- (1990-)