South Coast Air-Quality Management District (SCAQMD)

Journal Article · Tue Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1996 · Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02941754· OSTI ID:598240

Wuebben, P; George, S; Watkins, L ^[1]; Bonny, A ^[2]

---

1. SCAQMD, Diamond Bar, CA (United States)
2. TeraMeth Industries, Walnut Creek, CA (United States)

Current landfills emit copious quantities of methane, which is typically flared on-site. Such flaring results in significant emissions of oxides of nitrogen (NO{sub x}), as well as potentially serious levels of toxics, greenhouse gases, and other flare gas contaminants. The district has worked closely with TeraMeth Industries (TMI) to establish the first demonstration plant in the world that will divert the gaseous waste stream from the BKK Landfill, located in West Covina, CA, through a syngas synthesis process, and produce 50 metric tons/d of methanol. Multiple replication of this technology is projected by TMI to be commercially competitive with worldwide methanol production economics. For example, contractual commitments for the long-term purchased product have been obtained. Permitting issues unique to landfills, such as site-specific gas composition, have also been addressed as part of this project. This article identifies: (1) The air-quality context of this facility; (2) The key permitting issues being addressed to facilitate the construction and operation of this facility; and (3) The commercial and economic implications of the plant design, including the potential future markets for this conversion technology. 39 refs., 3 figs., 3 tabs.

• OSTI ID: 598240
• Report Number(s): CONF-950587--
• Journal Information: Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Journal Name: Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology Vol. 57-58; ISSN ABIBDL; ISSN 0273-2289
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

09 BIOMASS FUELS
33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AIR QUALITY
BIOCONVERSION
BIOMASS
BIOSYNTHESIS
COMMERCIALIZATION
CONSTRUCTION
DESIGN
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
ECONOMICS
FLARING
FUEL SUBSTITUTION
GREENHOUSE GASES
LICENSES
MARKET
METHANE
METHANOL
NITROGEN OXIDES
OPERATION
PILOT PLANTS
PRODUCTION
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
SANITARY LANDFILLS
STATIONARY POLLUTANT SOURCES
TOXIC MATERIALS
WASTE PROCESSING
WASTE PROCESSING PLANTS