February 24, 2009
10:30 a.m.
ALACHUA COUNTY, FL - Alachua County Public Works has released "The Southwest Landfill Bio-reactor Research Project 2008 Summary and Evaluation". This report focuses on the Southwest Landfill near Archer.
The report summarizes the landfill's third phase of research, which began in 1999 and concluded in 2008. During this period Alachua County, Gainesville Regional Utilities (GRU), and University of Florida researchers focused on operating a bio-reactor (a bio-reactor optimizes solid waste to accelerate production of methane gas). The methane gas was converted into electricity.
By converting methane gas into electricity, Alachua County was able to:
- avoid 1500 tons (U.S.) of carbon emissions
- conserve 9 million gallons of water
- avoid 7800 tons of fly ash production
In addition to these figures, the County saved an estimated $444,000. The savings comes from combining gas revenues, avoided hauling and treatment costs, and avoided electricity consumption.
The research also created numerous practical operations lessons that can improve future designs in the areas of gas pretreatment, lightning protection, and engine controller design.
The landfill continues to be managed, but no longer produces electricity for the County.
To read the summary in its entirety click here.
For more information, please contact Ron Bishop 352-374-5213, or ron@alachuacounty.us.
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