Definition Different Technologies Benefits and Drawbacks Germanys potential
Landfill mining and reclamation (LFMR) is a process whereby solid wastes which have previously been land-filled are excavated and processed. Processing typically involves a series of mechanical processing operations designed to recover the following: Recyclable materials, A combustible fraction, Soil, and landfill space.
The equipments used for reclamation are same used in other mining and solid waste management operations. An excavator removes the contents of landfills and then the waste is separated. A trommel separate soil from solid waste in the excavated material. The size and type of screen used depends on the end use of the recovered material.
E.g. if the reclaimed soil typically is used as landfill cover, a 2.5 inch screen is used. If the reclaimed soil is sold as filling material with a high fraction of soil content, a smaller mesh screen is used to remove plastic, metal, glass and paper.
Data is recorded from the full depth of the landfill and fed into a computer to create a 3-D profile of the conditions inside the landfill. Using this information, engineers design and create a steam injection "Landfill Bioreactor" to increase the humidity of the landfill to accelerate biodegradation and maximize the quantity of methane (up to 70% of available gases) and carbon dioxide (up to 30%) which can be captured. E.g. a 5 acre landfill having 500 tons of organic waste can produce ~6,000,000 cubic feet of biogas per day using this technology, yielding as much as $65 million in net annual sales. At the conclusion of the reclamation project, the landfills organic material is completely inert, producing no greenhouse gases, no methane gas, or leachate water pollution, and the surface level of the landfill can drop as much as 30 feet, making the property available for higher value use.
1. Materials Recycling Facility (MRF) and Fuel Preparation front-end : This part of the plant accepts the residual waste and extracts useful materials like glass, metals and hard plastics which can be recycled. The non-recyclable waste is dried and shredded to make Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF).2. Core Gasplasma® technology : This is where the organic materials in the RDF are processed into a hydrogen-rich synthesis gas (syngas) used in gas engines/turbines to make clean renewable power. The inorganic materials in the RDF are vitrified into an inert glassy product called Plasmarok® which can be sold to generate a revenue. This part of the facility contains the following elements: a) Fluid bed gasifier b) Plasma converter c) Gas cooling and conditioning3. Power Island : This consists of gas engines/turbines where the syngas is converted into renewable energy.
Benefits Drawbacks Generating revenues from The process can be the sale of recyclable dangerous, particularly if materials or recycling them. asbestos or other hazardous Producing energy. waste is found on older sites, Generating revenues from while trapped methane can the reclaim of soil. ignite when released. Hydrogen Sulfide if inhaled Reducing landfill closure can be fatal and is highly costs and reclaiming land for flammable. other uses. Technologies are expensive. Management costs for hazardous waste are high but may reduce future liability. Excavation of one landfill can undermine the integrity of adjacent cells.