Intergration of Yardwaste Composting with Methane Oxidation CoversFor Waste Reduction and Greenhouse

Type of initiative FCM Green Municipal Fund - Plans, Studies, Pilots
Sector Waste
Project value$81,750
Project Type Feasibility Study
Sub Sector Landfill Gas Management
Grant amount$40,000
Program type GMF
Municipality Town of Hinton, AB
Status Fully Disbursed
Population 9,817
Project timeline 2007 - 2011
Project number 7057

Description

As a follow-up to GMEF 874, this field test will provide the optimal design of methane oxidation landfill covers for small to medium-sized regional waste facilities where conventional gas extraction is generally not economically feasible. Two one-acre test beds will be constructed for the field test. In each, seasonal yardwaste will be applied. A temperature-monitoring probe will be drilled into the existing landfill cell to determine internal heat availability. Should internal temperatures of at least 20 degrees Celsius be present, a passive thermosyphon will be installed to extract heat and provide it to one of the other cover bed areas lacking heat. Temperatures will be monitored to determine the ability to maintain sufficient bed temperatures during the winter. Separating yardwaste for use in Methox covers will remove an estimated 70 tonnes of material from the municipal solid waste stream and will produce a 30 to 50 per cent reduction in methane emissions per acre. Additional one-acre cells would result in increased methane oxidation potential. For the entire landfill site, this could result in a further diversion of 100 tonnes of material and a possible greenhouse gas emissions reduction of up to 11,500 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent per year from the current baseline.

Applicant

West Yellow Regional Landfill Authority, AB