Landfill Gas Surface Monitoring Services

Methane, total non-methane hydro-carbons, and carbon dioxide distributions and their sources are accurately and rapidly mapped using a non-dispersive gas correlation infrared spectrometer using an "open path" sample cell with an effective length of 8 ft (2.6 m) in conjunction with a GPS survey system.

Sensitivity is less than 0.1 ppm when analyses are made each second. Up to 100 readings per second can be taken as the equipment is traversed across the landfill cap. Thus, measurements are made instantaneously on a continuous basis, not only at isolated grid pattern nodes.

Smaller and moderate sized landfills can be quickly surveyed from the ground while very large areas may be surveyed rapidly and cost effectively by helicopter. The same technology has been used to survey gas transmission lines for leaks from the air at 300 miles (460 km) per day, and by ground vehicle at about 120 miles (200 km) per day.

Depending on topography, landfill areas of 40 acres (16 ha) or more can be surveyed in one day. Complete maps, showing locations of plumes, concentrations of the individual gasses, and their sources can be provided on site within one hour of completion of the survey. Major leaks and anomalies can be identified in real time.

Use this technology for the final stage of cap construction quality assurance, for periodic monitoring of LFG emissions and LFG collection efficiency, to source known leaks (water in, gas out) in caps and piping systems, to evaluate geomembrane damage after slope soil instability events, to monitor cap integrity after differential settlement, and to monitor bioremediation processes.

Rapid landfill gas mapping by infrared spectrometer, and the location of leaks in landfill caps, complement the following technically advanced but cost-effective services available from I-CORP:

• Electrical leak location surveys on uncovered, soil/waste-covered, or liquid covered liners.
• Forensic/failure analyses and expert witness services for litigation and public hearings.
• Nondestructive assessments of geomembrane seam strength and internal integrity. Soon there will be no need to cut holes in geomembranes for quality control/quality assurance testing purposes.