Behaviour of trace components in gases generated from municipal solid waste landfills

Abstract

Trace components such as hydrogen, C₂‐C₆ hydrocarbons and oxygenated hydrocarbons were measured together with major components at three different aged solid waste landfill sites in summer and winter. In the younger landfill site, the concentration differences between the two seasons were observed in oxygen, hydrogen, acetylene, and oxygenated hydrocarbons. The concentration of hydrogen, ethylene, acetylene, pentanes and oxygenated hydrocarbons decreased remarkably as the landfill age got older. The ratio of ethylene to ethane appeared to have a correlation with the age of landfill and to be a good indicator of the aging.