Landfill Gas: More Than Waste — It’s Something Worth Monitoring

Most people don’t think much about what happens after waste reaches a landfill. But below the surface, decomposition continues for years, producing gases that need to be monitored for safety, environmental compliance, and—in many cases—energy recovery.

Landfill gas is primarily a mixture of methane (CH₄) and carbon dioxide (CO₂). According to Ecotec, methane typically represents about 45–60% of landfill gas, while CO₂ generally accounts for 40–60%. Smaller concentrations of oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), and VOCs may also be present. (Ecotecco)

Why Monitor Landfill Gas?

Methane is valuable—but it also needs to be managed carefully.

Because methane is flammable, uncontrolled migration can create serious safety concerns, particularly when gas enters buildings, utility conduits, tunnels, or other confined areas. Landfill gas can also displace oxygen, while trace gases such as H₂S and VOCs can create additional environmental and worker-safety concerns. (Ecotecco)

That makes reliable measurement an important part of landfill operations.

Monitoring programs can help operators understand what gases are present, at what concentrations, and how those concentrations are changing over time. Monitoring wells positioned throughout and around a landfill can also help identify gas migration. Ecotec notes that continuously logged data and remote telemetry can provide operators with faster insight when conditions change. (Ecotecco)

Landfill Gas Can Also Be an Energy Source

There is another side to landfill gas.

Instead of simply treating methane as an emission that needs to be controlled, properly collected landfill gas can be used as an energy resource. Captured methane can be used to produce electricity or heat, potentially reducing emissions while creating value from something that would otherwise be released or destroyed. (Ecotecco)

That makes accurate gas measurement important for more than compliance. Good data helps operators understand and manage the resource they are collecting.

The Instrument Is Only as Good as the Data

Landfill environments aren’t easy on instrumentation. Equipment needs to provide dependable readings in demanding field conditions—and it needs to stay that way.

Regular calibration, maintenance, sensor evaluation and verification are important parts of maintaining confidence in the numbers being reported. Ecotec specifically notes the importance of regular calibration and maintenance for gas-monitoring equipment. (Ecotecco)

At Highmark Analytics, this is where we come in.

We work with industrial and environmental professionals who depend on gas analyzers every day. From selecting the right analyzer for an application to sales, rentals, calibration, service and repair, our focus is helping customers get reliable measurements and keep their equipment working in the field.

Because when you’re monitoring methane, oxygen, CO₂ or other gases, the number on the screen needs to mean something.

Need help with a landfill gas analyzer or monitoring application?
Highmark Analytics
📞 973-300-0300
Source/inspiration: Ecotec, “Landfill Gas Monitoring: Ensuring Safety & Harnessing Green Energy from Waste.” (Ecotecco)