A Compilation of Landfill Gas Field Practices and Procedures
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A COMPILATION OF LANDFILL GAS FIELD PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES by the Landfill Gas Management Division of the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) August 2011 SWANA ● 1100 Wayne Avenue, Suite 700, Silver Spring, MD 20910 ● 800-467-9262 FORWARD This document was prepared by the SWANA Landfill Gas Management Division and is based on its professional assessment of current practices and procedures relating to the control, recovery, and utilization of landfill gas. The observations and suggestions in this document should serve as a starting point for readers who are interested in furthering their own knowledge of the subject matter. SWANA plans to supplement the materials in this report from time to time as warranted by significant breakthroughs in technology and technique. This edition is an update to the original 1985 edition and the 1992 revision. SWANA, along with its members and chapters, does not assume any liability with respect to the use of, or for damages resulting from the use of, any information, equipment, method, or process discussed in this report. Mere reference to such information, equipment, method, or process does not constitute an endorsement thereof by SWANA or its members and chapters. John H. Skinner, Ph.D. Executive Director, SWANA August 2011 i This page intentionally blank. Acknowledgment The following persons are acknowledged as active participants on the Health and Safety Task Force. Their participation and commentary in revision of this document are greatly appreciated. Mr. Robert Black Mr. Larry S. Carter Mr. George L. Coiner Mr. Steven P. Cooper Mr. Douglas W. Coordes, CIH Ms. Lenda Doane Mr. Michael D. Geyer, P.E. Mr. Clyde N. Moore, P.E. Mr. Richard W. Prosser, P.E. Mr. Jon Shields Mr. Anton Svorinich Mr. Michael E. W. Ward Mr. Mark A. Weisner Mr. Jim Wheeler (Chairman) The following persons are acknowledged as active participants on the Health and Safety Section Revision and Update Task Force. Their participation and commentary in revision of this document are greatly appreciated. Mr. Ken Brynda Mr. James A. Chabot, P.E. Mr. Brent L. Dieleman Mr. Scott E. Hill Mr. Ken Kampfen Mr. Mike Knox Mr. Carlo F. Lebron, P.E. Mr. Joseph H. Liserio, CIH, CSP Mr. Chris Marlowe, CIH, QEP Ms. Marcia A. Pincus, P.E. Mr. Gary Pons, CIH, CSP, REA Mr. Michael P. Murphy, P.E. (Chairman) The following persons are acknowledged as active participants on the Sampling and Analysis Section Revision and Update Task Force. Their participation and commentary in revision of this document is greatly appreciated. Mr. Kenneth Brynda Mr. Brian Case Mr. Brent L. Dieleman Ms. Anne Germain Mr. Keith Johnson Mr. Ken Kampfen Mr. Mike Knox Mr. Carlo F. Lebron, P.E. Mr. Thomas Lock Mr. Michael P. Murphy, P.E. (Chairman) ii The following persons are acknowledged as active participants on the Material and Equipment Section Revision and Update Task Force. Their participation and commentary in revision of this document is greatly appreciated. Mr. Brent L. Dieleman Mr. Darrin D. Dillah, Ph.D., P.E. Mr. William M. Held (Chairman) Mr. Michael P. Murphy, P.E. Mr. Ron Wilks iii TABLE OF CONTENTS SECTION I: HEALTH AND SAFETY A. Purpose and General Introduction ................................................................................. I-1 B. Planning ............................................................................................................................ I-9 C. Safety Plans and Programs ........................................................................................... I-10 D. Hazard Assessment and Identification ........................................................................ I-17 E. Safety Equipment ........................................................................................................... I-20 F. Personal Health and Hygiene ........................................................................................ I-24 G. Landfill Gas-Related Safety Procedures ...................................................................... I-25 H. Safety Procedures for Well Drilling and Construction ............................................... I-27 I. Safety Procedures for Excavation, Trenching and Pipe Installation ........................ I-29 J. General Construction/Maintenance .............................................................................. I-33 K. Field Sampling for Health and Safety ........................................................................... I-34 L. Respiratory Protection .................................................................................................. I-37 M. Special Conditions ......................................................................................................... I-40 Tables A-1 Health and Safety Concerns - Landfill Gas Management ............................................. I-3 A-2 Physiological Response to Various Concentrations of Hydrogen Sulfide ................. I-6 E-1 OSHA Standards for the Use of Personal Protective Equipment .............................. I-22 K-1 Exposure Action Levels ................................................................................................ I-34 L-1 Respiratory Protection Equipment Protection Factors .............................................. I-38 iv SECTION II: LANDFILL GAS MONITORING, SAMPLING, AND ANALYSIS A. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................... II-1 B. FIELD MONITORING ....................................................................................................... II-4 C. FIELD SAMPLING .......................................................................................................... II-19 D. SAMPLE ANALYSIS ...................................................................................................... II-25 E. APPLICABLE REFERENCES AND ANALYTICAL METHODS .................................... II-28 Tables A-1 LANDFILL GAS FIELD INVESTIGATION EQUIPMENT ................................................. II-2 SECTION III: MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT A. INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................. III-1 B. GAS CONTROL FOR MIGRATION ................................................................................ III-2 C. GAS CONTROL FOR ODORS AND SURFACE EMISSIONS ........................................ III-6 D. GAS RECOVERY ............................................................................................................ III-7 Tables B-1 DESIRABLE PROPERTIES OF MEMBRANE MATERIALS .......................................... III-3 Figures Glossary of Health and Safety Acronyms List of Health and Safety Informational Websites References v SECTION I: HEALTH AND SAFETY A. PURPOSE AND GENERAL INTRODUCTION History of SWANA Health and Safety Manual Over the years, SWANA has strived to provide valuable written resources to its members and to the solid waste industry in general. The predecessor of this document, published in August 1991, contributed significantly to an awareness of health and safety in that earlier audience; as of this writing, hundreds of copies of the manual have been sold. The current version builds on the August 1991 edition and on past volunteer efforts of industry members. Importance of Health and Safety Related to Landfill Gas Management Coinciding with the installation and start-up of an active landfill gas collection and control system (LGCCS), the Landfill Manager is often required to hire or assign responsible individuals (Landfill Gas Technicians) to safely operate and maintain the system. Whether operation and maintenance services are provided in-house or by consultants, the Landfill Manager must verify that those selected to perform duties are properly trained and work in compliance with applicable regulations; these may include federal regulations regarding emissions (NSPS 40 CFR 60 Subpart WWW), and local and federal health and safety regulations (OSHA, etc.). Typical landfill gas contains 30 to 60 percent methane (CH4), which is explosive at certain gas concentrations (referred to as the explosive limit, typically 5 to 15 percent by volume in air for methane). Methane is also a simple asphyxiant. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) can also be present in landfill gas at potentially dangerous levels, and is often a factor contributing to non-fire-related injuries or deaths associated with landfill gas. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are also found in landfill gas. Some types of VOCs are carcinogens. Condensate (liquid generated from landfill gas) is perhaps the most difficult medium to characterize regarding its chemical constituents; and although it consists primarily of water, condensate may contain sufficient quantities of contaminants to warrant special handling (see Personal Protective Equipment, PPE, in Section E). Depending on the site, condensate may include constituents such as polar organic acids and aldehydes. Proper operation and management of an LGCCS involves interacting, often day-to-day, with landfill operations. Landfill Gas Technicians travel the same roads as refuse trucks and other associated heavy equipment; they work around active tipping operations, and encounter the same hazards as other landfill staff. Landfill Gas Technicians are exposed to electricity or compressed air or nitrogen, primarily while operating flare stations and leachate pumps in the field; they may require specific training to become qualified to perform these