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Solid Waste Operations Projects

Bluff Road Landfill Phase 1 Landfill Gas Collection and Control Project

Bluff Road Landfill Phase 1
Landfill Gas Collection and Control Project

Lincoln Solid Waste Operations (Project No. 569315) Updated October 2010


Bluff Road Phase 1 - Landfill Gas Collection and Control Project Plant
PDF Version of Map (233 K)

Construction work on Phase 1 of the Landfill Gas (LFG) Collection and Control System at Lincoln's Bluff Road Municipal Solid Waste Landfill is underway. This is the first phase of a multi-phased project that begins collecting generated LFG from 61 acres of the landfill. Future collection phases will be constructed as landfilling of waste continues until the landfill reaches capacity in 2035.

Phase 1 work includes construction and installation of: 54 vertical gas extraction wells ranging in depth from 40 to 100 feet; 17,600 lineal feet of header and lateral gas collection piping; and, a vacuum blower and process utility flare unit to extract and burn the collected LFG.

The City is planning a future project to ensure utilization of the collected LFG as a renewable energy source. Collection of the LFG will also assist in controlling and reducing odors at the site.

LFG consists of about 50% methane and 45% carbon dioxide and other gases resulting from biological decomposition of aterials in the waste. Methane emissions are approximately 21 times more potent than carbon dioxide emissions. Recent gas generation modeling performed by SCS Engineers estimated that 1,520 standard cubic feet per minute (scfm) of LFG would be collected and burned by the process utility flare with start-up of Phase 1 in 2011. Destruction of the methane in this Phase 1 LFG flow would be equivalent to a reduction in annual carbon dioxide equivalent emissions of approximately 158,200 metric tonnes per year.

Energy Potential - The 1,520 scfm of LFG has an approximate lower heating value of 41.6 million BTU's per hour and realistic electrical generation capacity of 27.1 million kilowatt hours (kWh) per year. This equates to enough electrical energy to meet annual electrical demands of approximately 2,250 households.

Bluff Road Landfill Overview

Opened:
October 1988
Est. Closure Year:
2035
Permitted Landfill Area:
170 acres
Active Landfill Area:
118 acres (2009)
Capped Landfill Area:
40 acres (2009)
Proposed Cap in 2011:
21 acres
Waste in Place:
6.1 million tons (Aug. 2010)
Site Design Capacity:
23.6 million cubic yards
Waste Received:
272,443 tons (FY 09-10)
Waste Depth Range:
60 feet to 130 feet

Landfill gas flow and emission reductions chart

Phase 1 Environmental Benefits

Est. Landfill Gas Generation:
2,027 scfm (2011)*
Est. Gas Recovery:
1,520 scfm (2011)*
Methane (CH4) Concentration:
50% methane
Avoided Methane Emissions:
Preventing Carbon Dioxide equivalent (CO2e) emissions of: 158,200 metric tonnes of CO2e per year

*Source - SCS Engineers Gas Generation Modeling - 2010

Direct Use Emissions Reduced Equivalent to:**

  • Annual Greenhouse Gas Emissions from 30,780 passenger vehicles
  • Carbon Sequestered annually by 34,320 acres of pine or fir forests
  • CO2e emissions from 18,100,000 gal. of gasoline consumed
  • CO2e emissions from burning 820 railcars of coal

** Source - US EPA LFGE Benefits Calculator

HDPE Gas Collection Piping
Slotted Pipe for Vertical Gas Extraction Wells
Construction at Havelock Avenue
Trench Excavation for Gas Collection Line Piping
Well Drilling Unit

Project Summary - Phase 1

Collection Area:
61 acres
No. of Gas Wells
54
Depth of Wells:
40 ft to 100 ft. (Est.)
Collection Piping Length:
17,600 feet (Est.)
• Laterals Size:
6 to 12 inch diameter
• Headers Size:
12 to 24 inch diameter

Construction Project Schedule - Current

Notice to Proceed:
October 11, 2010
Substantial Completion:
105 calendar days
Final Completion:
120 calendar days

Landfill Gas Vacuum Blower & Flare:

Manufacturer:
LFG Specialties LLC
No. of Vacuum Blowers:
2 @ 50 HP each
Vacuum Blower Capacity:
1,720 scfm each
Process Flare Capacity:
3,000 scfm
Total Project Estimated Cost:
$2,200,000
Construction Contract Cost:
$1,660,344 - Current
Funding:
Landfill User Fee Revenues
Construction Contractor:
Shaw Environmental and Infrastructure, Inc.
Consulting Engineers:
Aurora Conner - Resident Project Rep - SCS Engineers
Ken Kruszynski - Project Engineer - SCS Engineers

Lincoln Solid Waste Operations Project Contacts:

  • Karla Welding - Project Manager
    Supt. of Solid Waste Operations
    (402) 441-7867
  • Gary Brandt - Division Manager
    Wastewater and Solid Waste Operations
    (402) 441-7968
Links to Previous Landfill Gas Collection Project Information and Other Information
U.S. EPA Clean Energy
U.S. EPA Landfill Methane Outreach Program (LMOP)
Mayor Chris Beutler's Press Release (11/8/10)
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