Landfills and landfill gas extraction wells release hazardous gases including methane, carbon dioxide, and carbon monoxide. Investing in a solid carbon monoxide detector will give the most accurate carbon monoxide readings with minimal interference from hydrogen gas or sample moisture and humidity.
Pros
Carbon Monoxide gas detectors are a useful tool for landfill technicians to inspect landfill gas
Carbon Monoxide detector s can detect the presence of part per million carbon monoxide gas concentration
A solid Carbon Monoxide detectors should have a minimal interference from humidity and hydrogen gas
What are the requirements of a CO Analyzer for Landfill?
A portable handheld CO Analyzer used for landfill gas measurement should fulfill the requirements set forth in “Alternative Method For The Field Determination of Carbon Monoxide Concentration in Landfill Gas Wellheads under 40 CFR 63, subpart AAAA.” These requirements were approved on 09/14/2021 by the EPA, Measurement Technology Group.
Some highlights of the CO Analyzer for landfill gas wellheads requirements include:
CO analyzers must have a H2 compensated CO sensor.
CO analyzers with electrochemical sensors must have a carbon filter to remove H2S.
CO analyzer must not show interference to methane (CH4), carbon dioxide (CO2), oxygen (O2), and nitrogen (N2) that are commonly found in landfill gas.
Liquid must be prevented from entering the analyzer by using a water trap or appropriate filter.
Gas sample hose from the wellhead to the gas analyzer must be made of silicone, PVC or other similar material that does not absorb or otherwise alter the sample gas.
CO analyzer should have a vacuum pump suitable to pull against the wellhead vacuum and to transport gas from the sample point to the analyzer.
CO Analyzer must be tested to NIST Traceable Sources with +/- 2% accuracy (two point calibration and verification, ZERO and SPAN). A certificate must be provided by the manufacturer with the product, in addition to include certain provisions and certifications.
CO Analyzer response with a R-squared greater than or equal to 0.975 to be considered linear.
CO Analyzer error must be within ±5.0 percent of the calibration span and drift less than ±3.0 percent of the calibration span.
What is a Carbon Monoxide detectorfor Landfill?
A carbon monoxide detector is a device used to sense and monitor the presence of carbon monoxide gas. For landfill applications, the carbon monoxide gas is measured in ppm, or parts per million and samples are often taken in various open air environments and extraction wells points. When unsafe levels of ppm are reached, the device will alert the user via audible or visuals alarms and provide the instantaneous carbon monoxide concentration in the ppm range.
How Does a Carbon Monoxide detector Function?
Like most types of carbon monoxide detectors, a carbon monoxide analyzer for landfill gas detection includes two main parts. Electronics for signal processing and the CO gas sensor. These two components work in conjunction with one another so that the electronics receives the levels of carbon monoxide that the electrochemical sensor detects. However, for landfill application, the gas sampling system is also important, requiring a water trap, charcoal filter, silicone tubing and a pump to extract the gas and deliver it to the gas sensor within the CO Analyzer.