Seneca Landfill: Landfill Gas to Energy Project

1. Seneca Landfill: Landfill Gas to Energy Project Presented by: Marty Siebert 2006 EGSA Spring Conference

2. Agenda • Landfill Gas 101 • Seneca Landfill • Landfill Gas • LFG Collection • LFG Treatment • Power Generation • Heat Recovery • Emissions • Benefits

3. Landfill Gas 101 • Landfill gas (LFG) is a by-product of the decomposition of municipal solid waste (MSW). • LFG: • ~ 50% methane (CH4). • ~ 50% carbon dioxide (CO2). • <1% non-methane organic compounds (NMOCs). • For every 1 million tons of MSW: • ~ 1.0 MW of electricity • ~ 550,000 cubic feet per day of landfill gas. • If uncontrolled, LFG contributes to smog and global warming, and may cause health and safety concerns.

4. Modern Municipal Solid Waste Landfill

5. Landfill gas production • 1 ton domestic waste => 530,00 – 880,00 ft³ Landfill gas over a period of 15 - 25 years • LHV = approx. 430 - 500 Btu/scf • 40 - 50% collectable from a covered landfill Source: Biogasvolume and Properties; U. Loll, “ATV Seminar 2/99 Essen”; Germany

6. Seneca Landfill Project • Butler County, PA just North of Pittsburgh • State Funded Project • Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Landfill Gas to Energy Plant • Electricity used to offset grid power • Thermal used to offset natural gas boiler • Plant is over 80% efficient • Renewable/Green power source

7. Landfill Gas Site

8. Utilization of Landfill Gas

9. Wellhead

10. LFG Collection • A system of horizontal or vertical wells are constructed across a landfill. • These wells are connected to a header system. • A blower provides vacuum to the header system to collect gas from the wells. • The blower sends the landfill gas to a treatment and control system • The control system sends gas to the flare and genset as required

11. LFG treatment, blower, and flare station

12. LFG Conditioning and Treatment • Packaged skid downstream of LFG collection system and flare • Required LFG treatment prior to use in genset • Blower/Compressor • Increase pressure • Chillers • Knock out moisture and contaminants • Filters • Filter out contaminants

13. LFG Conditioning and Treatment cont. • Active Carbon Vessel • Cleaning and removal of Siloxanes • Siloxanes and Hydrocarbons damage engine life and performance • Critical Issue in Project Success

14. Gas Quality Control - Sample Data • The following adverse affects are prevented by gas cleaning: • Engine damage from siloxane buildup • Damage/Fouling to oxidation catalyst • Emissions level increases over time • Decrease in maintenance intervals

15. Examples of Si Buildup

16. Examples of Si Buildup

17. Examples of Si Buildup

18. Power Generation Equip.

19. Power Generation • 330kW Recip. Jenbacher Gas Engine • Prime Power > 8,000 hrs/yr • Low NOx Emissions < 0.6 g/bhp-hr • Dual fuel capable • Natural Gas site over • Designed to Burn Low-Btu gas • Follows fluctuation in gas energy content • Tolerate of gas contaminants • Low Maintenance

20. Electrical Operation and Interconnect • Utility parallel switchgear and controls • Generate electricity for site use with excess power exported to the grid • Base load application driven of thermal demand • Black start, island mode capability with load shed controls • Interconnect through Penn Power • Consolidation of site distribution

21. Heat Recovery

22. Heat Recovery • Engine’s jacket water and exhaust heat recovered • Hot water used to process LF’s Leachate • Leachate heated to 95degF to kill bacteria • Must be treated • Increase system efficiency • Offsets natural gas boiler

23. Exhaust Heat Recovery Unit P Project Overview Hot Water to Leachate Process Exhaust Out Utility Paralleled Electric Output: 335kW at 480V, 60Hz, 3 Phase Hot Water Recovery Loop Remote Dump Radiators Low Temp Loop - Dumped P Clean LFG to Engine LF Gas Treatment Skid Site Loads Utility Natural Gas Secondary Fuel Source Raw LFG From Flare Skid

24. LFG Politics and Challenges • Gas Rights • Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) • Utility Interconnect • Emissions Permitting

25. LFGE Project Benefits • Destroys methane and other organic compounds in LFG • Each 1 MW of generation = • planting ~11,300 acres of trees per year, • removing the emissions of ~8,400 cars per year, • preventing the use of ~89,000 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 - respiratory health concern • CO2 - global warming gas

26. Emission Reduction Benefits (lbs/MWh)

27. Methane Emissions

28. Environmental Benefits • Estimated Annual Benefits for all LFGE: • Planting over 19,000,000 acres of forest, • Preventing the use of over 150,000,000 barrels of oil, • Removing emissions equivalent to over 14,000,000 vehicles, or • Offsetting the use of 325,000 railcars of coal.

29. Why Should We Care About LFG? • Methane is a potent heat-trapping gas. • Landfills are the largest human-made source of methane in the US. • There are many cost effective options for reducing methane emissions while generating energy. • Projects reduce local air pollution, create jobs, revenues, and cost savings.

30. State of the LFGE Industry • 396 operational projects (January 2006) • ~9.7 billion kWh of electricity produced and ~82 billion cubic feet of gas delivered in ‘05 • Numerous projects under construction • Over 600 candidate landfills with 1,500 MW of potential capacity, or 280 billion cubic feet/yr of LFG for direct use, and ~17 MMTCE potential emissions reductions

31. Landfill Gas and Green PowerA Winning Combination • LFGE is a recognized renewable energy resource (Green-e, EPA Green Power Partnership). • LFG is generated 24/7 and available over 90% of the time. • Serves as the “baseload renewable” for many green power projects. • LFG is among the most cost competitive renewable resources available ($0.04 - 0.06/kW). • LFG can act as a long-term price and volatility hedge against fossil fuels. • Utilities are already using LFGE.

32. Questions? Contact Information: Marty Siebert Email: msiebert@nixonpower.com Ph: 901-751-3634