Biopuster®

In a landfill containing organic materials, landfill gas forms in the absence of oxygen. This odorous, highly flammable gas contributes to the greenhouse effect and has been proven to have a carcinogenic and toxic effect on humans. This is due to the combination of trace substances such as hydrogen sulphide, mercaptans, perchloroethylene and vinyl chloride, which are present alongside the main components methane, carbon dioxide and nitrogen.

Excavating an old landfill site without appropriate pre-treatment not only causes a massive odour nuisance in the surrounding area and additional environmental pollution, but also poses a considerable risk to employees.

To avoid these effects, we rely on aerobic pre-treatment of the landfill material: by blowing oxygen-enriched air into the landfill body, the anaerobic conditions in the waste are converted into aerobic conditions. The stabilisation of the material achieved in this way before a landfill site is opened is an essential prerequisite for safe and professional landfill remediation from an environmental and occupational health and safety perspective. 

This is how the Biopuster® process works.

Our specialist staff blow oxygen-enriched air into the waste in pulses at a pressure of 2 to 6 bar. The resulting flow conditions ventilate not only larger cavities but also more densely packed areas. 

This process interrupts the methane-producing anaerobic process. Instead, an aerobic microbial process begins. The main decomposition products are carbon dioxide and water. The oxygen concentration of the air introduced can be adapted to the specific conditions of the Landfill and is usually between 30 and 35%.

Parallel to the aeration, the resulting reaction gas is extracted from the waste via suction lances and cleaned with the aid of a filter system. The amount of gas removed is about one third higher than the amount injected. This ensures that negative pressure always prevails in the treated area and that no gases can escape uncontrollably.

A key factor in the aerobic pre-treatment of waste is a sufficiently long aeration period. In trials, we have found that if the exposure time is too short, lasting only a few days, anaerobic conditions quickly return. Dangerous landfill gas is then produced again.

Based on numerous successful applications of the Biopuster® process, a recommended treatment duration of at least three to four weeks can be derived. Only then can it be guaranteed that the material will remain aerobically stabilised after excavation for further treatment steps such as sorting and transport.