The development of a strategy for Biffa Waste Services to reduce its atmospheric emissions of landfill methane

Wilkins, GT

Abstract

The thesis considers the environmental policy statement of Biffa Waste
Services to progressively reduce its methane emissions to atmosphere, and
then sets out to develop a strategy for achieving this aim. As a major waste
disposal company, disposing of 5.5 million tonnes of waste to landfill in 1999,
the production of methane from the biodegradation of this landfilled waste is
significant, and also an important proportion of UK landfill methane emissions
as a whole.
It was necessary to develop a sufficiently accurate method of quantitative
measurement of methane production, and a computer based mathematical
model was developed. It was tailored for six alternative waste streams in order
to give flexibility for the changing nature of site inputs. Waste inputs for each of
40 Biffa landfills were gathered, categorised and analysed from 1983 onwards
and the results totalised. This was checked against 2 alternative existing gas
production models used by AEAT and the USEPA.
Alternative methods of methane disposal were considered, taking into account
the wide range of potential calorific values of the gas and the application to
differing types of landfill. Existing and potential disposal strategies are then
considered using the various gas management technologies available and the
software used as a 'what if analysis tool to investigate the potential impact of
various proposals. The software is equally valid for assessing the effect of
future reductions in the amount of biodegradable waste that will result from the
implication of the EL) landfill directive.

Citation

Wilkins, G. The development of a strategy for Biffa Waste Services to reduce its atmospheric emissions of landfill methane. (Dissertation). University of Salford

• Thesis Type: Dissertation
• Deposit Date: Jun 17, 2021
• Award Date: Sep 1, 2000