Process and apparatus for purification of landfill gases

摘要

A process and apparatus for removing the impurities from a gas stream produced from a landfill such that essentially pure carbon dioxide and methane is recovered. After the landfill gas is mechanically dewatered, the gas is filtered of particulate solids and aerosols and purified by removing sulfur compounds using zinc oxide columns, removing halogens using activated alumina columns, removing hydrocarbons using activated charcoal columns, and oxidizing remaining impurities using potassium permanganate impregnated activated alumina columns. Lastly the gas is incinerated in a boiler/incinerator combustion furnace to produce an exit stream containing essentially pure carbon dioxide and air, which is further treated in a conventional carbon dioxide treatment process.