Cost-Effective Technologies For Removing H₂S From Landfill Gas

By D. Graubard, William Rouleau, and Jean Bogner, Merichem

Many landfills are experiencing higher hydrogen sulfide (H2S) concentrations in landfill gas as a result of increased inputs of C&D (construction and demolition) debris and the use of C&D fines as an alternate daily cover. Concentrations may exceed upper limits for engine or turbine gas quality specifications resulting in acid gas corrosion of gas recovery hardware. Exceedances of emission limits and local environmental issues (mostly odors) are also resulting from high H2S concentrations. Commercialized technologies are available to remove the H2S safely and economically, using either liquid or solid media.