Air Liquide will design, construct and operate its first landfill gas (LFG) to renewable natural gas (RNG) purification plant at the Northeast Mississippi Landfill (NEML) in Walnut, Mississippi, which will enable the conversion of the methane emitted by waste to a renewable energy. The site, owned by the Northeast Mississippi Solid Waste Management Authority, is operated by national solid waste company, Waste Connections, Inc and receives approximately 350,000 tons of waste per year.
Bobby Thompson, Chairman of the Northeast Mississippi Solid Waste Management Authority, commented: “This project would not be possible without the collaborative efforts of Air Liquide, the City of Walnut, Waste Connections of MS, Inc., and the Waste Authority. We are certainly pleased to play a part in bringing this exciting renewable energy technology to our landfill operations in Walnut.”
Using Air Liquide’s gas separation membrane technology, the plant will have the capability to purify the methane emitted by waste decay and make it suitable for use. Expected to break ground in Q1 of 2017, the initial production capacity of the plant is planned to achieve 1,300 mmBTU/day, with plans to expand. In addition to the biogas purification plant, Air Liquide will build and implement a dedicated four mile pipeline that will feed the biogas into a natural gas pipeline in the area. Construction of this pipeline will also enable the town of Walnut to expand its utility services.
Chet Benham, VP of Air Liquide Advanced Technologies U.S. LLC states that, “The new biogas project will enable us to transform waste and unused energy resources into renewable, carbon-reducing energy for the community and surrounding cities. Air Liquide is actively working to continue our growth in biogas purification plants in the U.S., and to provide clean energy for sustainable communities.”
Source: Air Liquide