Accelerated Landfill Energy Recover Technology

Dr. Te-Yang Soong, PhD, PE

CTI and Associates, Inc.

Wixom, Michigan

• Background• Example Project• Demonstrated Benefits• Hypothetical Project at Army Installations• Conclusion

Outline

• Background• Example Project• Demonstrated Benefits• Hypothetical Project at Army Installations• Conclusion

Outline

4

Background

• Landfill gas (50% CO2 and 50% CH4) is created as Municipal solid waste (MSW) decomposes in a landfill

• MSW landfills are responsible for 17% of human-related CH4 emissions in the U.S.

• At the same time, CH4 emissions from landfills represent a lost opportunity to capture and use as a significant energy resource

3-4-12 XD Report

5

Basic Chemistry

3-4-12 XD Report

Cellulose

Hemicellulose

6

Concerns

• It takes decades (even centuries) for waste to decompose in traditional landfills (“dry tombs”)

• Extensive monitoring / maintenance is required• Long-term liability and financial burden• A concern to today’s operators and a problem to

future generations• Bioreactor landfills – A modern-day solution

3-4-12 XD Report

Fall 1990

Fall 1998

8 years in a “dry tomb” landfill

Wastes in dry tombs…

8

Long-Term Liability (e.g., cover failure)

3-4-12 XD Report

• Optimizing moisture and other environmental conditions to stimulate waste decomposition

• Organic wastes in landfills can be rapidly degraded/ made less hazardous

• Landfill gas can be generated rapidly – more feasible as a renewable energy source

• Waste volume can also be reduced more rapidly – offering landfill extended service life

Bioreactor Landfills

Bioreactor Landfills

• Using septage as an augmentation agent • Why septage?

– Readily available in many communities– Typically unwelcomed by WWTP– Land application leads to surface water contamination– Promotes organic decomposition through

• Moisture addition• Microbial seed addition• Nutrient addition• pH regulation

Septage Bioreactor Landfills

• Background• Example Project• Demonstrated Benefits• Hypothetical Project at Army Installations• Conclusion

Outline

Septagereceiving

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Septage Receiving

ProcessingOdor control

Underground holding

Unloading

Septage Processing

Flowmeter

Solid Removal

Grinder

Rock Trap

Septage Processing

Solid

Liquid

Septagereceiving

Septagestorage

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Septage Transmission

Separation / Storage

Sludge Storage

Liquid Storage

Septage Holding Tank Winterization

Insulation tarps

Heating blankets

Septagereceiving

Septagestorage

Sep

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Septage Injection Manifold

Septage Injection Lines

Landfill Gas Collection

Gas Extraction Manifold

• Background• Example Project• Demonstrated Benefits• Hypothetical Project at Army Installations• Conclusion

Outline

Extended Site Life

Conventional Landfill

Septage Bioreactor

2010201520202025203020352040204520502055

Delay of closure cost ( $34M) by 6 years!

Increased LFG Production

Jan-0

8

Mar-0

8

Jun-0

8

Sep-08

Dec-08

Mar-0

9

Jun-0

9

Sep-09

Dec-09

Mar-1

0

Jun-1

0

Sep-10

Dec-10

Mar-1

1

Jun-1

10

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

1,000

1,100

1,200

1,300

1,400

Ga

s F

low

rate

(sc

fm)

SeptageBioreactor

Cell

Entire Landfill

8% of total waste is producing nearly 40% of total LFG!

LFG-to-Electricity Engine Room

Measured Parameters

TraditionalLandfill

Septage Bioreactor

LFG generation rate 100% 750%

Time for complete decomposition

75 yrs 10 yrs

Accelerated Stabilization

Measured Parameters

TraditionalLandfill

Septage Bioreactor

LFG generation rate 100% 750%

Time for complete decomposition

75 yrs 10 yrs

Accelerated Stabilization

• Background• Example Project• Demonstrated Benefits• Hypothetical Project at Army Installations• Conclusion

Outline

   Waste Volume    Municipal solid waste (MSW) 200,000 cubic yards/yearOrganic wastes (food waste, cardboards, yard trimming, etc.)

20,000 cubic yards/year  

Septage 1,500,000 gallons/year   

Projected Output    Power generation 4.0 MW  Electricity revenue (annual) > $2,000,000 /yearMatured compost 20,000 cubic yards/year  

   Equivalent Environmental Benefits    Annual removal of GHG* emissions 32,000 passenger vehicles  Annual removal of CO2 emissions 20,000,000 gallons of gasoline  

* GHG = Greenhouse Gas       

Hypothetical Project (20-year)

   Waste Volume    Municipal solid waste (MSW) 200,000 cubic yards/yearOrganic wastes (food waste, cardboards, yard trimming, etc.)

20,000 cubic yards/year  

Septage 1,500,000 gallons/year   

Projected Output    Power generation 4.0 MW  Electricity revenue (annual) > $2,000,000 /yearMatured compost 20,000 cubic yards/year  

   Equivalent Environmental Benefits    Annual removal of GHG* emissions 32,000 passenger vehicles  Annual removal of CO2 emissions 20,000,000 gallons of gasoline  

* GHG = Greenhouse Gas       

Hypothetical Project (20-year)

   Waste Volume    Municipal solid waste (MSW) 200,000 cubic yards/yearOrganic wastes (food waste, cardboards, yard trimming, etc.)

20,000 cubic yards/year  

Septage 1,500,000 gallons/year   

Projected Output    Power generation 4.0 MW  Electricity revenue (annual) > $2,000,000 /yearMatured compost 20,000 cubic yards/year  

   Equivalent Environmental Benefits    Annual removal of GHG* emissions 32,000 passenger vehicles  Annual removal of CO2 emissions 20,000,000 gallons of gasoline  

* GHG = Greenhouse Gas       

Hypothetical Project (20-year)

• Municipalities have access to low interest rate (2.5%) State Revolving Fund (SRF) loans to complete drinking/ wastewater improvement projects.

• The CWSRF typically don’t fund a landfill project. However, since the septage bioreactor landfill project will eliminate run-off due to land application of septage and reduce the need to treat septage at local wastewater treatment facilities, funding can be granted.

Teaming / Funding Outlook

• Partnering municipalities can implement similar projects to provide solutions for ongoing groundwater contamination issues, help increase site life, or generate additional renewable energy production.

• Since payback on the loan is over 20 years, municipalities are offered a way to generate additional cash flow through renewable energy sales, and fund the capital expense over time – a win-win situation.

Teaming / Funding Outlook

• Background• Example Project• Demonstrated Benefits• Hypothetical Project at Army Installations• Conclusion

Outline

Conclusion

Renewable energy source Clean water, clean air and land preservation Revenue via LFG, septage, volume recovery and

cost avoidance Key operations are field-verified Sustainable / economical technology ready to be

transferred

Te-Yang Soong, PhD, PECTI and Associates, Inc.

tsoong@cticompanies.com

Thank You!