

Landfill gas follows first-order kinetic decay after decline begins with a k-value ranging 0.02 yr-1 for arid conditions and 0.065 yr-1 for wet conditions. The landfill gas production rate will reach a maximum at around 5 years and start to decline. Typically, in a large landfill, different areas of the site will be at different stages simultaneously. There are 4 common phases that a section of a MSW landfill undergoes after placement. The rate of landfill gas production varies with the age of the landfill. Most of the methane produced in MSW landfills is derived from food waste, composite paper, and corrugated cardboard which comprise 19.4 ± 5.5%, 21.9 ± 5.2%, and 20.9 ± 7.1% respectively on average of MSW landfills in the United States. The amount of methane that is produced varies significantly based on composition of the waste. Methane ( CHĤ) is the important component of landfill gas as it has a calorific value of 33.95 MJ/Nm^3 which gives rise to energy generation benefits. In anaerobic conditions, as is typical of landfills, methane and CO 2 are produced in a ratio of 60:40. Aerobic conditions, presence of oxygen, leads to predominately CO 2 emissions. Landfill gas (LFG) is generated through the degradation of municipal solid waste (MSW) and other biodegradable waste, by microorganisms. Generation Percent composition of each major component of landfill gas with time.

These projects power homes, buildings, and vehicles. These projects collect the methane gas and treat it, so it can be used for electricity or upgraded to pipeline-grade gas. These projects are popular because they control energy costs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The number of landfill gas projects, which convert the gas into power, went from 399 in 2005 to 519 in 2009 in the United States, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency. It is important not only to control its emission but, where conditions allow, use it to generate energy, thus offsetting the contribution of two major sources of greenhouse gases towards climate change. Compared to CO 2, methane is 25 times more effective as a greenhouse gas. After fossil fuel and agriculture, landfill gas is the third largest human generated source of methane.

Landfill gas utilization is a process of gathering, processing, and treating the methane or another gas emitted from decomposing garbage to produce electricity, heat, fuels, and various chemical compounds. Landfill gas collection from capped landfill area ( December 2010) ( Learn how and when to remove this template message) You may improve this article, discuss the issue on the talk page, or create a new article, as appropriate. The examples and perspective in this article deal primarily with the United States and do not represent a worldwide view of the subject.
