Monitoring and Analysis of Gas Emissions from a Closed

Landfill Site at Jleeb in Kuwait

A&WMA’s 112th Annual Conference & Exhibition
Québec City, Québec
June 25-28, 2019

Paper # 601336

Ratish Menon

SCMS Water Institute, SCMS School of Engineering and Technology, Kochi, India-683582

Mohammad AlAhmad, Marwan AlDimashki

eMISK, Environment Public Authority, P. O. Box 24395 - Safat - Kuwait 13104

Vahidudeen Shanavas

Kerala State Pollution Control Board, Kadavanthara, Gandhi Nagar, Elamkulam, India- 682020

ABSTRACT
Lack of monitoring for landfill gas (LFG) emissions increases the hazard risk especially when a
landfill site is being developed for further uses. This paper discusses the results from a LFG
monitoring study carried out at a closed landfill site in Kuwait which lack engineered gas
collection and venting system. Jleeb Al Shuyoukh landfill site was active between 1970 and
1993. The composition and seasonal variations in LFG release were monitored at Jleeb landfill
site using Gasclam for the continuous LFG monitoring at 4 boreholes during the period July
2018 – Feb 2019. The monitored gases included methane (CH4), carbon dioxide (CO2), Carbon
Monoxide (CO), Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), Hydrogen Sulphide (H 2S) and Oxygen
(O2). The concentration of these gases in %v/v was monitored at 1 hour interval for the entire
study period along with atmospheric pressure, borehole pressure and temperature. Consistent
methane release with a concentration of 40- 65 %v/v was observed at the boreholes constructed
for this study. Among the monitored gases only CO 2 showed a positive correlation with
methane. A constant CH4/CO2 ratio and lack of correlation with H 2S indicated that the landfill is
in stable phase. Lack of correlation between methane release and the bore hole pressure as well
as ambient temperature indicated high pressure build up of LFG within the landfill. The study
discussed in this paper is a first ever such continuous LFG emission monitoring study being
carried out at a landfill site in Kuwait and is expected to be beneficial for the design,
implementation and operation of LFG monitoring, collection and utilization facilities at similar
sites in the country.

INTRODUCTION
Gas emissions from landfill sites are a major concern for the impact of these gases on health,
safety, environment and climate[Ref]. Many a time the landfill sites, after their useful life, are
further utilized for urban development projects. Kuwait, being one of the oil-rich countries, is
among the highest per capita waste generators in the world with landfill burial being the
prevalent solid waste disposal method [Al-Ahmad 2012]. Kuwait has 18 landfills out of which
only 4 are active now [eMISK/EPA, 2015]. Being a small country, Kuwait plan to make use of
closed landfill sites for further urban development and expansion once their useful life time is
over. However, lack of understanding on the stability of the closed landfill sites and the gas
buildup within could be hazardous especially when the same is being used for urban
development. As of now, little information was available on gas emissions from Kuwait landfill
sites. The present study, carried out at Jleeb Al Shuyoukh is a first attempt to continuously
monitor the major landfill gases such as Methane, Carbon Dioxide, Carbon Monoxide, Volatile
Organic Compounds, Hydrogen Sulphide and Oxygen in near real time to understand the
stability of the landfill site and characteristics of landfill gas (LFG) emissions. The present study
points out that managing a landfill site highly demand a well-planned monitoring programme.
The results described in this paper is anticipated to help the design, implementation and
operation of LFG monitoring, collection and utilization facilities at similar sites.

EXPERIMENTAL METHODS/MATERIALS/PROJECT APPROACH

Jleeb Al Shuyoukh is the largest landfill site in Kuwait with an area exceeding 6 sq. km. This
landfill site was active between 1970 and 1993 and received around 20 million m3 of domestic
and construction/demolition waste during its operational period [Al-Ahmad, 2012]. Figure 1
shows the landfill site with details of the four boreholes where the measurements were carried
out using the continuous LGF monitoring system GasClam (IonScience, Cambridge, UK).
Kuwait has four seasons namely summer (June-September), autumn (October-November),
winter (December-February) and spring (March-May). The present study was carried out in the
period July 2018-Feb 2019. The ambient temperature in Kuwait increases to about 50⁰C in the
beginning of summer and gradually reduces to about 30⁰C in the later part of summer.
Figure 1. Borehole Locations at Jleeb landfill site where landfill gas monitoring was carried
out

Methodology

Four boreholes were constructed and 4 GASCLAM monitors (from IonScience, UK) were
installed for the continuous measurement of landfill gas from July 2018 to Feb 2019 (See Figure
2). The monitored gases included methane (CH4), carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxide (CO),
volatile organic compounds (VOCs), hydrogen sulphide (H 2S) and oxygen (O2). The
concentration of these gases in %v/v was monitored every hour for the period July 2018 to Feb
2019. Table 1 gives the methods used for measuring the mentioned gases. Additionally,
atmospheric pressure, borehole pressure and temperature were also monitored with hourly
resolution.

Figure 2. Construction of boreholes and the installation of GasClamp continuous

monitoring
Table 1- Technical Specifications of GasClam used for LFG measurement

Statistical analyses were carried out on the monitored data to assess the spatial-temporal
variations in LFG emissions at the site. Correlation of the monitored landfill gases in relation to
methane was carried out to understand the characteristics of landfill gas generation. The ratio of
methane to carbon dioxide was used as an indicator of stability of the landfill and variation of
this ratio for different months during the study period at each boreholes were analyzed. Variation
of methane concentration with respect to bore hole pressure and air temperature were analyzed to
understand the dependency of these factors on the LFG emissions at the site.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSON
The composition of LFG can vary considering that several chemical and biological reactions
occurring in the landfill without any direct control, and with the passage of time. Figure 3 shows
the variation of concentrations of the components of LFG over time [Rettenberger]. The
hazardousness of a landfill decreases with the pass of time (increasing phase) as in the later
phases, microbial methane oxidation takes place (from phase VII).

Figure 3. Gas composition over time in the landfill body (Rettenberger).

As shown in Figure 2 above, the CH4/CO 2 ratio can vary with different phases of anaerobic
reaction and is an excellent indicator for the characteristics of landfill gas generation (Yang et
al., 2016). A ratio of CH4/CO2 around 1.5 would indicate that the landfill has a stable landfill gas
production (i.e., under stable anaerobic degradation, Phase IV). Also, the lack of correlation
between methane and H2S indicate that methane is in a stable phase (Haarstad et al., 2012).

The ratio of methane to carbon dioxide is a good indicator of the stability of landfill gas
production with the ratio being constant for a long period of time between 1.5 – 2. Figure 4
shows the variation of this ratio for different months during the study period at each boreholes.
The ratio appears to be constant at about 1.5 for boreholes 24 and 49. Ratio shows some
variation for the boreholes 16 and 40 which may be showing a different characteristics of the
landfill in that location.
 Figure 4. Monthly variation in CH4/CO2 ratio in the landfill gas

Figure 5 below shows the concentration of the monitored landfill gases collected from each
borehole in relation to methane. It is evident from these scatter plots that among the monitored
gases only carbon dioxide and oxygen shows a clear correlation with methane gas. Carbon
dioxide exhibits a positive correlation whereas oxygen shows a negative correlation. This
indicates the oxidation of methane to carbon dioxide with the depletion of available oxygen.

Figure 5. Correlation of LFG gases with Methane at different boreholes

The pressure monitored inside the boreholes varied in the range 985-1005 mbar. Figure 6 shows
that the methane released from the landfill does not depend on the bore hole pressure. Bore hole
pressure was always monitored higher than atmospheric pressure. Even when the bore hole
pressure was higher than 1000 mbar high methane release from the bore wells with concentration
of more than 60% v/v was observed. This indicate heavy buildup of methane within the landfill
probably due to lack of venting mechanisms. The variation in pressure throughout the landfill
results in gases moving from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure. Movement of gases
from areas of high pressure to areas of lower pressure is known as convection. As more gases are
generated, the pressure in the landfill increases, usually causing sub-surface pressures in the
landfill to be higher than either the atmospheric pressure or borehole pressure. When pressure in
the landfill is higher, gases tend to move to ambient air and this movement does not depend on
the bore hole pressure or the atmospheric pressure. 

Figure 6. Variation of methane concentration with respect to bore hole pressure (Data from
all boreholes for the entire study period)
Temperature monitored during this study varied between 30- 50°C. We do not observe any
dependency of landfill gas release on temperature as shown in figure 7. When the temperature
varies between 30- 50°C the methane released have a concentration range from less than 1 %v/v
to about 70%v/v. The reason for this could be that the landfill is already under pressure from gas
buildup and the release of methane is not dependent on ambient temperature or pressure.

Figure 7. Variation of methane concentration with respect to air temperature (Data from
all boreholes for the entire study period)
Figure 8 shows how methane gas release from the landfill is varying as a function of space and
time. The median values from the hourly data for each month at each borehole was considered in
deriving this result. It is clear from this graph that the typical methane concentration measured at
the boreholes vary in the range 40- 65 %v/v as expected from an aging landfill. A consistent
methane release was observed for each month during the study period.

Figure 8. Spatio-temporal variation in methane gas concentration at different borehole

locations. Values shown are median value for each season and each borehole.

The monthly variation in methane release is represented by a box plot as shown in figure 9. The
variability in methane concentration is observed to be high within the lower part of the inter-
quartile range during September. The median values of methane concentration range from
50%v/v in July to 40%v/v in September indicating monthly variability in methane release from
the landfill. A yearlong study would be useful to explain the cause of such variability.

Figure 9. Monthly variation in methane release from the landfill area.

SUMMARY
Consistent release of methane gas was observed at different locations of the landfill during the
study period. The typical methane concentration measured at the boreholes varied in the range
40- 65 %v/v. Release of landfill gases was found to be driven by the pressure inside the landfill
than the ambient temperature and pressure. If not vented out safely, the heavy build up of
methane gas within the landfill could turn out to be hazardous. The CH 4/CO2 ratio appeared to be
stable in the landfill indicating a stable methane phase. A year long monitoring campaign is
recommended to understand the seasonal variability in the gas release from the landfill. Different
portions of land fill may have completely different characteristics. In the present study, the data
from only 4 nearby boreholes were considered. Long term monitoring of landfill gases with
boreholes uniformly distributed across the entire area would help in understanding the spatial
changes in the landfill characteristics.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The authors would like to thank the Environment Public Authority in Kuwait, Dar
Al Bea'a Environmental Consultants Company and AlMahatta Company for their
valuable financial and technical support to conduct this study.

REFERENCES
Al-Ahmad, M., (2012): OPTIMIZATION of the ASSESSMENT and REHABILITATION of
OLD LANDFILLS in KUWAIT. PhD Thesis, University of Rostock, Germany.

Rettenberger, G., (2001). “Out of manual and legacy, Groundwater contamination”. Cases 34, State
Office for Environmental Protection, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Karlsruhe

Rettenberger, G (2017): Rehabilitation of old sites. Principles for site investigations Characterization of
dump sites/ landfills, surveys and monitoring strategies and methods, necessary occupational safety
measures during field work. EPA, State of Kuwait.

Al-Mutairi, N., (2004). “Biological, Chemical and Physical Assessment of Jeleeb Al-Shuyoukh
Landfill”. Final Report. Kuwait Environment Public Authority, State of Kuwait .

eMISK/EPA (2015): "GIS Maps of Landfill Sites in Kuwait". The Environmental Monitoring
Information System of Kuwait (eMISK), Environment Public Authority, State of Kuwait.

KEYWORDS
landfill gas emission, borehole monitoring, Kuwait