Landfill gas generation explained

摘要

Energy generated from landfill gas is evolving worldwide at increasing speed, spurred on by the need for cleaner, cheaper energy and carbon reduction policy and regulations, such as the Kyoto Protocol. Biodegradable waste deposited in landfill sites decomposes in the absence of oxygen to produce landfill gas; a mixture of methane (CH4), carbon dioxide (CO2) and trace amounts of volatile organic gases. Some 50% of the landfill gas produced is methane which, despite being a highly damaging greenhouse gas, is a valuable fuel that can be used to run combined heat and power (CHP) systems and electricity generators. Disposing of this damaging gas while utilising its energy value creates a double environmental benefit.