Purification steps for landfill gas utilization in cogeneration modules

Abstract

Considerable damage due to corrosion occurred at the landfill gas utilization plants of Gerolsheim and Braunschweig. In these cases the landfill gas contains high contents of hydrogen sulphide and aliphatic chlorohydrocarbons respectively. Purification will be necessary to remove these undesirable trace components before utilization. Hydrogen sulphide removal is to be achieved by an activated carbon adsorption process. The activated carbon adsorption method and a heterogeneous-catalytic dehalogenation process were practicable to remove halogenated hydrocarbons. The suitabilities of all processes were proven by operating pilot plants. High elimination rates were achieved.