Dealing With Landfill Fuel: Evaluating Fuel Treatment Options

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•White Paper: Dealing With Landfill Fuel: Evaluating Fuel Treatment Options

By: Michael A. Devine
Electric Power Group
Caterpillar Inc.

Dealing with fuel contaminants in landfill-gas-to-energy systems is essentially a matter of economics: weighing the costs of removal against the benefits of improved service intervals, performance and reliability. This paper highlights the most common contaminants found in landfill gas and describes the effect they have on engine component life, the cost of power generation, and engine emissions and emission control techniques.

Users have options when dealing with landfill gas contaminants. These range from dealing with contaminants before they get to the generating equipment, to selecting engines designed to operate with the contaminants. The external control option requires installation of equipment to reduce fuel contaminants, in exchange for higher ancillary equipment capital and maintenance costs. The internal engine control option involves engine manufacturers' design innovations in component metallurgy and other techniques that limit acid formation and keep engines operating safely.

The most favorable approach for a given application depends on factors such as gas composition, local emissions requirements, local power market conditions, and the site owner's performance and reliability expectations. Case studies at North American landfills illustrate extensive field experience with engines using internal modifications to limit the effects of corrosive fuel contaminants.

SOURCE: Caterpillar Inc., Electric Power Division

Click Here To Download:
•White Paper: Dealing With Landfill Fuel: Evaluating Fuel Treatment Options