3. Biogas collection and treatment

3.1 Landfill gas formation

A tonne of household waste generally contains 150 to 250 kg of organic matter. These substances are biologically degradable. Under the effect of micro-organisms acting in an anaerobic environment, they are decomposed in four successive phases and transformed into landfill gas. This process varies from landfill to landfill, and is influenced by factors such as the nature and composition of the waste, the degree of compaction of the waste, the moisture content of the waste and the cover of the landfill; in short, factors which have a direct influence...