In the last two decades Royal Haskoning has built up broad experience in the area of landfill gas extraction and utilization. It started with the need of our clients in The Netherlands to develop sanitary landfill sites. Since then numerous landfill gas extraction and utilization projects have been carried out. Designs have been made for extraction and utilization systems (in most cases electric power generation) in the range 100 Nm3/h up to 5,000 Nm3/h. Designs were based on our LFG extraction estimates. The amount of generated landfill gas has been estimated with a Multi-Phase Calculation Model for LFG calculation.
Besides our experience in The Netherlands, we have carried out investigations and prepared designs for LFG extraction and utilization systems in Lebanon, India, France, Belgium, Latvia, Lithuania, Bosnia, Bangladesh, China, Brazil and Sri Lanka. Second opinions on LFG extraction and utilization plans have been given in Finland (Helsinki) and Spain (Barcelona, Madrid, Ibiza).
"Dramatic reduction in emissions of methane from landfills in the Netherlands”, published in Journal of Integrative Environmental Sciences, Volume 7, Issue S1 July 2010 , pages 167 – 174.
Abstract
The Netherlands has taken various measures to reduce the emission of methane from landfills, such as less waste disposal, separate collection of biodegradable waste, use of landfill gas for generating power, and flaring of landfill gas. These measures have led to a dramatic reduction in emissions. But more can be done by taking additional measures. The question of whether the costs justify the expected yields is an important one, and has been addressed in the research. Four types of additional measures have been selected as potential measures which show great promise: (1) flaring of low-calorific gas, (2) additional gas extraction wells, (3) early sealing of landfill, and (4) optimization of existing landfill gas extraction systems. Low-calorific gas flares are expected to be most for promising in future for landfills where extraction systems are already installed. The costs of installing additional landfill gas extraction wells usually exceed the revenues. Early sealing of a landfill is only feasible when this measure has additional benefits (such as reduced leachate amounts). This shall be detailed in a business case for the specific landfill. Quick wins can be achieved by improving the operation of existing landfill gas extraction systems.