Blogs

What gases are released by landfills? Landfills consist of a complex mix of gases and VOCs , and are a source of major pollution, and potential revenue… which we will address later in this article. Dangerous gases like methane (CH 4 ), carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), sulfides (SOx), and ammonia , are created by the decomposition and evaporation of organic compounds, as well as chemical reactions between waste components. Methane and carbon dioxide are the most prevalent, making up between 90 and 98% of all gases and VOCs released. Why are these chemicals a concern? These gases and VOCs are considered greenhouse gases, and play a huge ...

In Wisconsin, current code requires landfill operators to install final cap within two years after an area of the landfill has reached final waste grades. We have seen this lead to decreased gas production and presumably extended organic stability timeframes at several landfills statewide. Also, we have seen sites with substantial settlement within the first 5-7 years that are unable to refill the settlement airspace because it was capped within 2 years. As a result, we are doing some research into the state of the industry regarding permeable caps and/or delayed capping schedules. What are the capping requirements in other parts of North America? ...

Our service engineers have visited many sites around the country as well as talked to many people over the phone on common issues where the flow measurement of landfill gas has been compromised. A couple of things that can be verified before calling in for service and are pretty simple to check in the field are: Flow Meter facing correct direction. Our flow meters all come marked with a flow indication arrow as to the direction of the flow against the meter. We have found that in some cases the meter has been turned accidentally during the installation or cleaning process. It is critical that when the meter is inserted into the pipeline that it has ...