FUEL-CELL ENERGY RECOVERY FROM LANDFILL GAS

International Fuel Cells Corporation is conducting a US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sponsored program to demonstrate energy recovery from landfill gas using a commercial phosphoric acid fuel cell power plant. The US EPA is interested in fuel cells for this application because it is the cleanest energy conversion technology available. This paper discusses the results of Phase I, a conceptual design, cost, and evaluation study. The conceptual design of the fuel cell energy recovery concept is described and its economic and environmental feasibility is projected. Phase II will include construction and testing of a landfill gas pretreatment system which will render landfill gas suitable for use in the fuel cell. Phase III will be a demonstration of the energy recovery concept.