Landfill gas (LFG) is a natural byproduct produced during the decomposition of organic materials in landfills. It consists of approximately 45% to 60% methane (the main component of natural gas), 40% to 60% carbon dioxide (CO2). Landfill gas also includes small amounts of nitrogen, oxygen, ammonia, sulfides, hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and nonmethane organic compounds (NMOCs) such as trichloroethylene, benzene, and vinyl chloride. Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas, being at least 28 times more effective than CO2 at trapping heat in the atmosphere over a 100-year period, per the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) assessment report (ARC).

 

 

The foundation of any landfill gas (LFG) project lies in the design, construction, and operation of a gas collection and control system (GCCS). The GCCS is designed to extract LFG from the waste mass and transport it to a combustion device for flaring or energy generation. A typical GCCS consists of several key components: extraction wells, a network of lateral and header (manifold) piping for transporting the collected LFG, a condensate management system, a blower and flare system, monitoring devices, and system controls. These systems are engineered to prevent methane and other gases from escaping into the atmosphere or surrounding properties, mitigating risks of explosion, fire, and health or environmental hazards.