 | |  Honeywell LFG Energy Project
| Location | Hopewell, Virginia | | End User(s) | Honeywell Specialty Chemicals | | Sector(s) | Chemical | | Landfill(s) | Waste Management (WM) Atlantic Waste Disposal Landfill | | Landfill Size | 14.5 million tons waste-in-place (2004) | | Project Type | Direct Thermal (process heater at ammonia plant) | | Project Size | 4,500 standard cubic feet per minute (scfm) | | Savings | Displaces about 15 percent of natural gas consumption | | Environmental Benefits | Carbon sequestered annually by 12,800 acres of pine or fir forests, annual greenhouse gas emissions from 10,300 passenger vehicles, or carbon dioxide emissions from 130,500 barrels of oil consumed. Annual energy savings equate to heating 14,700 homes. Estimated emissions reductions of 0.0153 million metric tons of carbon equivalents. | | LMOP Partners Involved | DTE Biomass Energy, Honeywell, Waste Management, Inc. |
At 23 miles, the WM-to-Honeywell pipeline could be the longest dedicated landfill gas (LFG) pipeline in the world. To cover the distance, developers navigated approval of three municipalities and seven agencies, acquired 10 miles of private right-of-way, and installed the pipeline during unprecedented rains—and that was after convincing the Virginia legislature to allow LFG to be sold in Virginia.
Once LFG arrived at Honeywell, engineers faced a new challenge. The LFG, which contains oxygen, when mixed with an existing hydrogen-containing fuel stream, could create a potentially explosive mixture. Engineers spent 11 weeks on a supercomputer to define operating parameters. Finally, they installed a monitoring system that automatically shuts off the system if the mixture is too oxygen-rich.
The project’s highlights include the following:
- Contains 23-mile pipeline—could be longest dedicated LFG pipeline in world.
- Has LFG capacity of 14,000 scfm.
- Connects one of the largest landfills east of the Mississippi River to the largest natural gas consumer east of the Mississippi River.
- Displaces about 15 percent of natural gas consumption.
- Utilizes LFG in direct LFG-fired engines to turn LFG screw compressors.
In addition to being the LMOP 2004 Project of the Year, Honeywell received a Governor’s Environmental Excellence Award for contributing a significant reduction in carbon dioxide emissions during the life of the plant. The awards are given annually to industries exhibiting exceptional environmental stewardship. The project was recognized as a prime example of how to use LFG to reduce air pollution and improve air quality. Last Updated: 8/18/2008
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