Future City Albany
Reduce>Reuse>Recycle>Rot
2015
Albany, NY October 24th, 2015
The Colonie Landfill Site
MSW Landfill
Initially operated in late 1960’s as a “Dump”
First clay lined cell constructed in early
1980’s
First double composite lined cell constructed
in 1995
The Colonie Landfill Site
The current site is over 200 Acres in size comprised of
6 separate landfill areas with 3.2 MMg of waste in place
& 25 Acres of active landfill in 2 contiguous areas
Site comprised of Landfill, Transfer Station, Material Recovery
Facility, Composting Facility, Landfill Gas to Energy Plant,
Maintenance facility, Administrative offices
Initial gas collection system work began in early1990’s as part
of old cell closures - passive
Active landfill gas collection and flaring of LFG started in 1995
Landfill gas to energy plant became operational in March 2006
Resident Recycling Station
Waste Transfer Station
Resident Recycling Station
Green Waste Composting Facility
Resident Recycling Station
Landfill
LANDFILL LINERS & CAPS
IN NEW YORK STATE
Double Composite Liner Systems
Eliminate Leachate and LFG migration
Composite Caps with high perm gas
“venting” collection layers below them
Excellent for preventing fugitive emissions
Excellent for LFG extraction
Provide uniform vacuum below cap
Long term cap integrity
Graphic NYSDEC
Landfill Gas to Electric
What Is Landfill Gas?
Landfill gas (LFG) is a natural by-product of the
anaerobic decomposition of municipal solid
waste
LFG is approximately 50% methane (CH4), 50%
carbon dioxide (CO2), and a small fraction of nonmethane organic compounds
If left uncontrolled contributes to smog and may
cause explosions in enclosed structures
Approximately 80 – 120 Cubic Meters of LFG
generated per metric ton of MSW
Btu Value of approximately 500 Btu Per cubic foot
Current LFG extraction rate > 1,800 SCFM
Landfill Gas and Climate Change
Landfills are the largest U.S. human-made
source of methane (~33%)
Methane is a potent greenhouse gas
Global warming potential (GWP) = 21
over 100 years, compared to CO2 = 1
Benefits of Landfill Gas
Energy Projects
Valuable energy source
Greenhouse gas reductions
Projects reduce local air pollution
Odor control
Sustainability
Avoided fossil energy emissions
Projects create jobs, revenues, and cost
savings.
LFGE Projects Provide
Dual Benefits
Destroys methane and other organic compounds
in LFG
Each 1 MW of generation = planting ~12,000 acres of trees
per year, removing the emissions of ~8,800 cars per year, or
preventing the use of ~93,000 barrels of oil per year
Offsets use of nonrenewable resources (coal, oil,
gas) reducing emissions of:
SO2 contributes to acid rain
NOx contributes to ozone formation and smog
PM is a respiratory health concern
CO2 is a global warming gas
The List of Innovative
LFG Uses Grows!
The list of innovative uses for LFG continues to grow.
There are now over 25 different applications for LFG.
Gas engines
Fuel-cells
Sludge dryer
Gas turbines
Pipeline gas
Glass kiln
Microturbines
Vehicle fuel
Ceramic kiln
Co-generation
Boilers
Metal furnace
Combined-cycle
Steam turbines
Stirling engine
Leachate evaporator
Brick kiln
Liquid natural gas
Condensate evaporator
Incinerator fuel
Greenhouse heat
Asphalt heater
Methanol
synthesis
Clay dryers
Lime kiln
Cement kiln
Landfill Gas Is a Very
Attractive Renewable Energy
Source
LFG is among the most cost-competitive
renewable resources available
Direct use by nearby industry/business often reduces
plant fuel costs
LFG can act as a long-term price and volatility hedge
against fossil fuels.
LFG is a consistent supply of energy BASELOAD
LFG is generated 24/7 and available over 90% of the
time