Landfill gas makes cheap fuel

Journal Article · Wed Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1984 · Power; (United States)

OSTI ID:6353805

Makansi, J

According to a recent study by the American Gas Assn (AGA), the amount of energy recovered from landfill gas has grown by nearly 800% over the last five years. There are nearly 30 active sites recovering energy across the US--mostly in California and the Northeast--and, based on one optimistic estimate, there are close to 3500 potential sites. Reasons for recovering landfill gas are numerous. One, communities are attracted by the additional revenue a successful landfill-gas recovery project brings; the gas can be sold to a naturalgas supplier, it can be burned in gas turbines or gas engines to generate electricity for sale to the local utility, and it can be used to generate steam for use at a nearby industrial or institutional site. Recovering methane helps reduce the odors produced from decomposing garbage which can be disturbing to people living in the vicinity of the landfill. It also helps reduce the chance of explosions--methane trapped beneath the surface can build up to dangerous levels.

• OSTI ID: 6353805
• Journal Information: Power; (United States), Journal Name: Power; (United States) Vol. 128:8; ISSN POWEA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

09 BIOMASS FUELS
090122 -- Hydrocarbon Fuels-- Preparation from Wastes or Biomass-- (1976-1989)
140504* -- Solar Energy Conversion-- Biomass Production & Conversion-- (-1989)
AIR POLLUTION ABATEMENT
ALKANES
COMMERCIALIZATION
COST
EXPLOSIONS
HYDROCARBONS
MANAGEMENT
METHANE
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION ABATEMENT
PRODUCTION
RECOVERY
SAFETY
SANITARY LANDFILLS
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT