Raleigh County Solid Waste Authority “Talkin Trash”

Renewable Energy Project in Southern West Virginia From a Thought to a Reality Trials and Errors Strategic Partnerships Short Term and Long Term Investments

Engineering In Motion Exposing Old Cell Multiple Const. Layers Blasting for New Cell Liner & Textile Install Collection Piping Completed Cell

The Start of Waste Placement and Landfill Gas (LFG) Production

Landfill Methane Gas Wikipedia defines landfill methane gas as a greenhouse gas that is 25 times more detrimental to the atmosphere than carbon dioxide. LFG Methane is created during the natural decomposition of solid waste. Typical composition of LFG is 45% to 60% Methane and 40% to 60% Carbon Dioxide with remaining balance consisting of Nitrogen, Oxygen, Ammonia , Sulfides, Hydrogen, Carbon Monoxide and Non-Methane Organic Compounds such as Benzene, Vinyl Chlorides and Trichloroethylene.

Operational issues with LFG As gas pressure increased in the landfill, the leachate was pressurized to the surface and would migrate to the storm water diversion ponds Issues in meeting permit benchmarks for the storm water pond NPDES Odor nuisance and complaints from the adjacent neighborhoods Distressed Vegetation on the landfill soil cap

Trials and Errors RCSWA installed various passive gas wells in the closure cap of the old landfill in 1992/1993. The methane gas passively vented to the atmosphere which alleviates pressure of the decomposing waste. Four solar spark vent flares were installed in the new landfill in late 2005 to determine gas quality and quantity in the new waste. Approx. 14 acres of closure cap was installed in 2008/2009 and also installed 14 active gas wells in the new landfill waste. Installed extraction piping and enclosed flare in 2009. Expanded well field to 17 wells in 2012. Expanded well field to 28 wells in 2016.

RCSWA Investment Costs for Active Gas System The RCSWA incurred costs of installing the closure cap synthetics was $745,000. The RCSWA incurred costs for the LFG Active gas piping, wells, flare and appurtenances was approx. $950,oo0. The RCSWA total incurred costs was approximately $1.8 million dollars.

Drilling Active LFG Methane Wells

Landfill Gas Photos Solar Vent Flare, 2005 Old Passive Vents Drilling Wells, 2005 Solar Vent Flare, 2005 New Flare, March 2009 New Flare, March 2009

Strategic Partnership The RCSWA was approached by a private developer interested in collegiate green energy in 2010. Met with Seven Islands Environmental Solutions in 2015 and entered into an agreement for producing Green Energy. Seven Islands Environmental Solutions is a subsidiary of Cox Communications in Atlanta Georgia. Additional subsidiaries include Auto Trader, Cox Automotive, Kelly Blue Book and Manheim Auto Auctions. Cox generates around 20 billion dollars annually in revenue.

New River Clean Energy

Caterpillar 3520 Generator Engine

Cat Engine Radiators

Design for the Future The RCSWA owns property for approximately 100 years of life. Designed the transmission line size to handle future expansion of the well field. Installed access to compressed air at all well locations. Electric Generation is designed with foundation to add additional generator engines. Current electricity generation capacity is 3.2 megawatts of electricity. Current LFG production is approximately 450 SCFM of LFG with a methane concentration of approx. 51%. This is currently producing approximately 1 – 1.2 megawatts of electricity.

Lessons Learned Balance between compaction - air space - and gas production is relative. Accelerated moisture conditioning of the waste = accelerated decomposition and gas production. Landfill design should incorporate various horizontal gas collection systems. Temperature and Barometric pressure vastly affects gas production. Waste age and composition determines gas quality.

Contact Information James Allen, Executive Director Raleigh County Solid Waste Authority 200 Fernandez Drive, Beckley, WV – 25801 Office Phone – (304) 255 – 9335 Cell Phone – (304) 575 – 6564 E-mail: jallen@Raleigh-swa.org