8/2/2019 Landfill Anatomy Poster

1/1

Landfills: An Alternative Energy SourceLandfills: An Alternative Energy Source

Materials Resource Center(Recycling)

ScaleHouse

Landfill Gas toElectricity Generation

Alternative Fueling

Station

CompressorHousing

Landfill Liquid Collectionand Evaporation

Closed Cell

GroundMonito

CondensateCollection

Landfill Gas Collection Header

Landfill Liquid HeaderCompressed Air

Open Cell

Off-site FactoryDirect-Use / Cogeneration

Electricity GenerationThe generation of electricityfrom LFG makes upabout two-thirds of the

currently operational projects.The vast majority of these projectsuse micro-turbines or industrialengines to drive generators.

Direct-UseThe direct use of LFGcan be in a boiler, dryer,

kiln, greenhouse, or other thermalapplications in nearby businesses.It can also be used directly toevaporate landfill liquids.

CogenerationCogeneration projects,known as combinedheat and power, use

LFG to generate both electricityand thermal energy, usually inthe form of steam or hot water.

Alternative FuelsLandfill gas has beensuccessfully delivered

to the natural gas pipeline systemas well as converted to vehicle fuelin the form of compressed naturalgas and liquefied natural gas.

Converting Trash-to-EnergyLandfill gas (LFG) is created as biological processes

decompose the solid waste in a landfill. In its rawform, this gas consists of about 50 percent methane(natural gas), about 50 percent carbon dioxide anda small amount of non-methane organic compounds.Landfill gas, if uncontrolled, can contribute to smog,global climate change and odors, but it can also becaptured, converted, and used as an energy source.

Landfill gas is extracted from landfills using aseries of gas collection wells and a vacuum system.This system directs the collected gas to a centralpoint where it can be processed and treated dependingupon the ultimate use for the gas. There are over400 operational LFG energy projects in the UnitedStates and a growing number around the world.There are several ways to convert LFG to energy:

Role of PumpsQED Environmental Systems landfill pumps

are specially designed to safely and reliablymanage liquid levels. That's why they're theproven No. 1 choice at landfills worldwide.AutoPump brand pumps are rugged

and all air-powered, making them ideal foruse in potentially explosive methaneenvironments. Their internal floatmechanism senses the presence of anyliquid and ejects it, then shuts itself offwithout requiring any external controls.

Iron Horse Extended-Duty PistonPumps are built for specialty pumpingneeds, such as handling extremely thick,viscous fluids and greater depths.

For more information aboutlandfill liquid control visit:

www.qedenv.com/landfillsfor an interactive pump selectionguide, animations, case studiesand more. Or call (800) 624-2026.

Producing Energy and Minimizing Environmental Impact

Landfill GasExtraction Well

Withouta pump in the

well, high levelsof hot, aggressive

liquids choke offlandfill gas recovery.

AutoPump

AP4s from QEDpump the liquidsdown, exposingmore screen andincreasing landfill gasextraction rates.

Landfill Gas Collection Header

Landfill GasExtraction Well

Copyright QED Environme

Landfill gas collection can be significantlyimpaired by excessive liquid levels in thecollection wells and piping. High moisturelevels in the landfill can increase thegeneration rate of biologically producedlandfill gas, but excessive liquid accumulationat critical points can block or restrict theflow of the gas produced. In the collectionwell, high liquid levels can impede the flowof gas through the fill itself and also blockoff the openings in the collection well screen.In the gas collection piping, liquids cancondense from the humid gas, accumulateat low points, and thereby block the flowof gas. For all of these reasons, it isimportant to install pumps to keep the liquidlevels under control.

Maximizing Gas Production by Managing Liquid Levels