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U.S. EPA'S FIELD TEST PROGRAMS TO UPDATE DATA ON LANDFILL GAS EMISSIONS
Citation:
Thorneloe*, S. A. U.S. EPA'S FIELD TEST PROGRAMS TO UPDATE DATA ON LANDFILL GAS EMISSIONS. Presented at 9th International Waste Management and Landfill Conference, Sardinia, Italy, 6-10 October 2003.
Description:
The paper discusses a field test program in which the EPA is currently engaged to improve data on landfill gas (LFG) emissions. LFG emissions data in use at this time are based on determinations made in the late 1980s and early 1990s; changes in landfill operations, such as using LFG to generate electricity, and improvements in sampling technology and analytical protocols made in the interim indicate that a new field test program is needed to get more reliable landfill emission factors that reflect current practice. Phase one of the two phase field test program began in 2001 and ended in January 2003. During phase one, emissions data were collected from both the raw gas collection point and the flare stack at one site that collects and flares LFG and from both the raw gas collection point and the engine exhaust at one site that uses four internal combustion engines fueled by LFG to generate electricity and flares the extra gas. Fugitive emissions sampling was also conducted at a site that operates two landfills as bioreactors in which leachate, septic sewage sludge, and other liquids are added to speed up landfill waste decomposition. Analysis of phase one data was incomplete at the time this paper was drafted. Phase two includes plans to sample at least four additional sites that combust LFG using flares, boilers, engines, or some combination thereof. The remainder of phase two sampling will be at the bioreactor site.