Welcome!  After a very wet summer issues of high and rising water levels will be  - and are still -  apparent across many landfills. A number of recent improvements and additions to our plant has improved drastically the success rate on those sites.  This will be discussed in more detail next month.

 

This month we are highlighting the benefits gained by using our applications to various treatment processes on site. In particular the physical treatment of landfill gas to maintain it as a great commodity.

 

 

Alternative Treatment We aim to ensure that as a service provider to the waste industry that we deal with all servicing, R & M, cleaning and general improvement in site compliance.  We are equipped to deal efficiently with activated carbon/ carbon pellets, typically used on site to 'clean' the gas prior to  passing through the gas engines.  As a crucial part of a sites internal economics the down time of these have to be minimal and the turnaround quick.  Removal of the spent carbon varies depending upon gas type, use and length of time since last cleaned!  Removal of these does not generally require high powered pumps as distances etc do not place any huge loading on the pump.  However the material can and does produce dust and dry powder.  A fact not always known is that suction machines require to be established with filters to deal with  a 'dry' material, as unfortunately a number of operators have identified - following full engine strips to remedy damage caused by the dust.  We have successfully undertaken works of this nature for a number of clients now and continue to do so on a rota basis.

 

 

Regular desilting and maintenance of gas wells as stated before has the potential to increase the capacity of useable gas .  For example consider an area of 150,000m2, assume a 1m blockage of silt in each well over this area.  Using an approved ready reckoner estimator, there is an upper and lower bound gas not being utilsed of between 100 - 200mr/hr.  This was demonstrated on a site where we increased the gas flow by 100m3/hr , by tackling 14 gas wells. 

 

With the changes in waste types and consequently the ratio of methane in the landfill gas produced, not tapping into all the currently available renewable energy is simply not cost effective.

 

We have seen many situations where collapsed wells and silted wells are creating uneconomic and inefficient operation of the gas system.  Reduced landfill volumes & changes in waste type will change gas production.  Huge capital investments should maximise all available gas as once its gone - its gone!

 

 

 

 

We are facing a change in peoples views towards landfilling, recycling and treatment of waste produced.  Programmes such as Channel 4's recent 'DUMPED', don't alleviate fears they simply show small snapshots in time and can be counter - productive to the public's general opinion on waste. 

 

I am all for new treatment methods and recycling but these have to be sustainable and achievable and gain the end purpose.  If we are not careful we will be back to a situation years ago where we are not creating the right environment to achieve optimum gas production from the waste we produce.  Many companies who have invested in technology and equipment for landfill gas generation are extending their renewable energy portfolio to include wind farms etc. Landfill gas is one of the largest contributors to renewable energy, and yes - this will change as the new legislation kicks in.  However experience of landfills past their useful worth , eg when the EPA came into force comes into mind - when the gas produced is no longer a useful commodity - because of the waste that is allowed to be landfilled - what do we do then? For example; reduction in specific wastes such as paper/cardboard will affect substrate and adsorptive capacities hence affecting the ratio of CH4/CO2 produced.  Which therefore makes no sense in the context of maintaining landfill gas as a renewable energy and will not contribute as effectively to the overall damaging release of gases. I believe that there is a wealth of experience in the UK who should be advising government bodies and creating strategies that combine lots of waste management treatments - whilst ensuring that landfilling can still contribute to renewable energy.

Whilst companies are generally primarily concerned with bottom line figures we are all in a fortunate position where our research and opinions and knowledge gained can be used to improve systems and ensure improvements in climate.  Whethere you are a believer in climate change/ global warming or a sceptic, simply doing nothing to improve our environment - is wrong!

 

If you have any views or comments to make please use the information below. 

 

 

Wendy Pring

 

Tel: 01290 332297/ 07967 379341/ 07968 817164

Email : info@kcpltd.net

Head Office: Connelwood House, Boig Road, New Cumnock, KA18 4QE.