Using landfill gas: A UK perspective

Keith A. Brown and David H. Maunder

Renewable Energy, 1994, vol. 5, issue 5, 774-781

Abstract: Landfill gas (LFG) is a flammable and potentially harmful mixture of methane, carbon dioxide and a large number of trace constituents produced when waste decays in landfills. The need to prevent harm from LFG emissions has been recognised since the 1970s, and is now enshrined in site regulations. Control measures such as gas extraction wells and multi-layered liners are now being implemented on a wide scale. Using LFG as a fuel or feed stock can complement the requirements of control for environmental protection, whilst providing an additional revenue stream and displacing conventional fuels. Use of LFG for power generation began in the UK in 1985 and government support for electricity from renewable sources has made this its dominant application. By the end of 1993 there were 49 power generation projects with a combined capacity of 80 MWe, generating 447 GWh of electricity in the year. In addition, the 12 direct use schemes using LFG as a fuel for kilns and boilers produced a further 9,200 GJ as heat. This paper reviews the processes of LFG formation and the technology and economics of generating electricity from it in the UK, and outlines the scope for further development.

Keywords: Landfill gas; renewable energy; municipal solid waste; biogas (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 1994
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:renene:v:5:y:1994:i:5:p:774-781

DOI: 10.1016/0960-1481(94)90086-8

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