ABSTRACT
Landfills can potentially release a range of gaseous pollutants, many of which are dangerous and contribute to global warming. Carbon Dioxide and Methane are identified as the most important greenhouse gases and are produced in high volumes within municipal landfills although, production rates vary considerably depending on the landfill age, composition and environmental factors. In 2006 the United Kingdom emitted approximately 2.3 million tonnes of anthropogenic Methane of which some 39% was derived from Landfills and operations therein (Defra, 2008). Landfill gas is therefore a major source of United Kingdom Methane emissions and it is essential that such emissions are controlled and managed in a manner that has the least detrimental effect upon the environment. In recent years major UK landfill operators have taken steps to reduce Methane emissions by utilizing gas flares or landfill gas engines-the latter also provide a revenue stream for the operator in the form of energy sales to the national grid.
