Feasibility of Landfill Gas as a Liquefied Natural Gas Fuel Source for Refuse Trucks

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to develop a methodology to evaluate the feasibility of using landfill gas (LFG) as a liquefied natural gas (LNG) fuel source for heavy-duty refuse trucks operating on landfills. Using LFG as a vehicle fuel can make the landfills more self-sustaining, reduce their dependence on fossil fuels, and reduce emissions and greenhouse gases. Acrion Technologies Inc. in association with Mack Trucks Inc. developed a technology to generate LNG from LFG using the CO2 WASH process. A successful application of this process was performed at the Eco Complex in Burlington County, PA. During this application two LNG refuse trucks were operated for 600 hr each using LNG produced from gases from the landfill. The methodology developed in this paper can evaluate the feasibility of three LFG options: doing nothing, electricity generation, and producing LNG to fuel refuse trucks. The methodology involved the modeling of several components: LFG generation, energy recovery processes, fleet operations, economic feasibility, and decision-making. The economic feasibility considers factors such as capital, maintenance, operational, and fuel costs, emissions and tax benefits, and the sale of products such as surplus LNG and food-grade carbon dioxide (CO2). Texas was used as a case study. The 96 landfills in Texas were prioritized and 17 landfills were identified that showed potential for converting LFG to LNG for use as a refuse truck fuel. The methodology was applied to a pilot landfill in El Paso, TX. The analysis showed that converting LFG to LNG to fuel refuse trucks proved to be the most feasible option and that the methodology can be applied for any landfill that considers this option.

Evaluation and application of site-specific data to revise the first-order decay model for estimating landfill gas generation and emissions at Danish landfills

“…Consequently, default k-values would affect CH 4 generation rates in FOD model estimations. This is important for landfill operators if FOD models were used to estimate CH 4 generation amounts in a certain time period (Themelis and Ulloa, 2007;Zietsman et al, 2008). For example, if the FOD model was used for designing an LFG extraction system in the early period, or estimating fugitive CH 4 emissions for the landfill's aftercare, proper k-values would reduce the uncertainties significantly.…”

Greenhouse gas emissions estimation from proposed El Fukhary Landfill in the Gaza Strip

“…The LandGEM model illustrated that CH 4 emissions are expected to continue up to 2155, 115 years after the closure of the landfill. In addition to CH 4 gas, landfill gases usually contain approximately 0.5% of trace hazardous compounds including hydrogen sulfide, benzene, toluene, and argon (Giess et al, 1999;Zietsman et al, 2008). Hence, the El Fukhary landfill is expected to emit almost 3.8294 ± 0.0566 × 10 7 m 3 from disposed waste.…”

Characterization of On-Road Emissions of Compressed Natural Gas and Diesel Refuse Trucks

“…Energy consumption throughout the world has increased substantially over the past few years, and the trend is projected to continue well into the future (1). According to a recent report from the Energy Information Administration (2), the total consumption of marketed energy is expected to increase by 57% during the period 2002 to 2025.…”

“…The use of liquefied natural gas (LNG) or compressed natural gas (CNG) is one avenue for reducing emissions from these vehicles, especially when LNG and CNG can be obtained from landfills where the vehicles have daily access. More information on the feasibility of converting landfill gas into a clean energy source such as LNG or CNG for transportation fuel can be found in the literature (1).…”