HOFGAS - know-how

05

The landfill gas collection, utilisation and

surplus gas combustion acting in unison
In landfill gas utilisation the basic task of the control system is to harmonise three completely
independent processes.
On the one hand, there is the gas production of the landfill which is inconstant.
(From a price point of view, hardly worthwhile to store the gas in a gasometer)
On the other side the independent gas utilisation process, which orientates itself to the requirement
of the energy consumer
Between them, the flare fulfils the important task of burning off safely surplus gas quantities; and
should the utilisation plant shut down or become defective, upholds the ecological degassing of the
landfill.

Hofstetter ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOFGAS-know-how 5 rev3e_6C484EB

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Three control loops

A look at the three control loops

CONTROL LOOP

OBJECTIVES

DISTURBANCES

REGULATING
VARIABLES

CONTROL
FUNCTIONS

CL 1 Gas collection
and delivery:

stability of gas
quality
efficiency of
collection

Fluctuation of the
resulting gas
quantity and
composition

CH4 content
suction pressure
gas quantity

Continuous
adaptation of
extraction

CL 2 Gas utilisation
heat generation
electricity
generation
refining to natural
gas quality

low pollution
combustion
optimum
efficiency
high availability

Modulating gas
demand of the
utilisation plant(s)

Energy requirement
of the utilisation
plant(s)

Gas quantity and

(poss.) additional
fuel regulation

CL 3 surplus
combustion
Flare

Complete and low

emission
combustion of
surplus gas
quantity and/or
inferior quality
gas
Min. burning off
quantity at standby operation

Quantity and
delivery pressure
fluctuations from
control loop 1 and 2

Delivery
pressure
Gas pressure

Delivery
pressure
control
continuous
combustion
optimisation

Hofstetter ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOFGAS-know-how 5 rev3e_6C484EB

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Control loop CL 1: gas collection and delivery

The gas collection plant guarantees the safe and ecological degassing of the landfill. Thereby a gas has
to be delivered with a CH4 content and other features, that satisfies the requirements of the utiliser.

Control functions
The extraction takes place by means of an automatically controlled gas pump, which takes into
account fluctuations in gas production within the landfill.
The adjustments to the collection system made necessary due to local fluctuations in gas production
are carried out manually at the well heads or, either automatically or manually, in a measuring and
control station.

Control loop CL 2: gas utilisation

The individual utilisation units adjust their output to the requirement of the consumer. Consequently the
equipment consumes a variable gas quantity with a defined mixture.
The enhanced possibilities of control, open up combinations of utilisation units. Cleverly designed
combinations of combustion chambers/boilers and engines, contribute to an economical, optimum
utilisation.

Control functions
Landfill gas and combustion air quantities are adjusted for individual requirements, according to
pressure ratios, residual oxygen content of the exhaust gas, etc.

Control loop CL 3: Surplus combustion

In every landfill gas utilisation system, the flare functions as an important safety element for all risks
involved. It - or the combination of flares - are designed, so that during stand-by operation a minimum of
energy goes this way, but in an emergency, the whole landfill gas production can be burnt off.

Control functions
Varying the combustion capacity of the flare.
A combination of flares extends the regulating range considerably: A small flare running with a
minimal gas quantity, combined with a stand-by larger flare, guarantees an economically sound
utilisation operation.

Hofstetter ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOFGAS-know-how 5 rev3e_6C484EB

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Control loops of the gas collection and delivery, gas utilization and surplus gas combustion

Hofstetter ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOFGAS-know-how 5 rev3e_6C484EB

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The interplay of the control loops for gas collection and delivery, gas utilisation and surplus combustion,
demands a process control, in order to guarantee at all times:
the safety and efficiency of the gas collection
the reliable, economical operation of the utiliser even when there are abnormal occurrences in control
loop 1
the complete and low emission combustion

Hofstetter knows where the problems lie. With the available know-how, the experience and the modular
construction of their control systems, an optimal solution can be realised.

For more information, please apply to:

Hofstetter

Telephone
Telefax

+31 20 740 09 99
+31 20 740 09 98

info@hofstetter-uwt.com
www.hofstetter-uwt.com

Hofstetter ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOFGAS-know-how 5 rev3e_6C484EB

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