(86g) Landfill Gas Converted into Renewable Natural Gas: A Case Study in Texas

Landfill gas (LFG), a byproduct of decomposing organic waste in landfills, can be converted into renewable natural gas (RNG), a clean and sustainable source of energy. This conversion process aligns with the goal of the US Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Landfill Methane Outreach Program (LMOP) to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote renewable energy sources. The process of converting landfill gas to RNG goes through a series of steps, including primary treatment (collection), secondary treatment (purification), advanced treatment, and compressing injection into natural gas pipelines. In the case study, a municipal solid waste landfill was chosen based on its landfill gas flow rate, proximity to potential end users of the RNG, and relevant geography to the installation of a pipeline. A theoretical conversion process was then applied to the landfill, and the carbon footprint of the process was calculated based on data from similar projects obtained from state air permits and LMOP data to determine the benefit of implementing the process. Additionally, several chemical refineries in the vicinity of the landfill are interested in the RNG produced from the project, and according to LMOP data for Texas, most new landfill gas projects have been producing RNG rather than electricity or using the landfill gas directly since 2012. As more projects like this are implemented, the use of RNG can play an important role in reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and addressing climate change.