EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -Landfill methane can be tapped, captured, and used as a fairly clean energy source for generating electricity or heat, rather than leaking into the air or being dispersed as waste. The climate benefit is twofold: prevent landfill emissions and displace coal, oil, or natural gas that might otherwise be used.

Detailed explanation-2: -Carbon dioxide and methane generated as a result of the decomposition of solid waste in landfills are known as landfill gas. Both gases are greenhouse gases that lead to global warming. Methane traps heat in the atmosphere over 20 times more than carbon dioxide (by weight).

Detailed explanation-3: -LFG is extracted from landfills using a series of wells and a blower/flare (or vacuum) system. This system directs the collected gas to a central point where it can be processed and treated depending upon the ultimate use for the gas. From this point, the gas can be flared or beneficially used in an LFG energy project.

Detailed explanation-4: -Biogas from biomass Biogas is an energy-rich gas produced by anaerobic decomposition or thermochemical conversion of biomass. Biogas is composed mostly of methane (CH4), the same compound in natural gas, and carbon dioxide (CO2).

Detailed explanation-5: -Methane releases its chemical energy by undergoing hydrocarbon combustion. Below is a hydrocarbon combustion animation showing the net reaction that occurs when methane combines with oxygen. The hydrocarbon combustion reaction releases heat energy and is an example of an exothermic reaction.