v>EPA
U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency
Atmospheric
Pollution
Prevention
EN vision
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Air and Radiation
(6202J)
EPA-430-B-97-006
January 1997
Energy Project Landfill Gas
Utilization Software (E-PLUS)
Version 1.0
E-PLUS User's Manual
LANDFILL METHANE
OiFTREACH PROGRAM
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Energy Project Landfill Gas Utilization Software
(E-PLUS)
User’s Manual
VERSION 1.0
PREPARED FOR:
ATMOSPHERIC POLLUTION PREVENTION DIVISION
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
PREPARED BY:
DANA SLEVIN
RANJAN BANERJI
ICF CONSULTING ASSOCIATES, INC.
January 1997
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The authors would like to thank the marty individuals who assisted in the preparation of this manual. In
particular, the authors are grateful to Michael Gibbs (ICF) and Ed Coe (USEPA), who helped improve
E-PLUS through their reviews, suggestions, and comments.
Special thanks also to the following people who provided the data used to create E-PLUS and without
whom this software program would not be possible:
Jeff Atkinson, Cooper-Superior
Dick Ay, Curtis Engine
Bob Biskebom, Biomass Energy Systems
Jack Brunette, Hauck Blowers
Alan Epstein, Gas Resources Corp.
Ralph Greenberg, Air Dynamics, Ltd.
Jack Horsley, Mensco, Inc.
Tom Kraemer, CH2M Hill
Tim Scott, Caterpillar, Inc.
Philip Tracy, Gas Resources Corp.
Robert Westerman, J-W Operating Company
Mark Alpers, SCS
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DISCLAIMER
Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute endorsement or recommendation for
use.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION 1
Installing the E-PLUS Software 1
The E-PLUS Package 1
Required Equipment 1
Recommended Equipment 1
Installation Instructions 1
For Windows 3.1 1
For Windows 95 2
CHAPTER 1. E-PLUS INTERVIEW/QUICK START 3
Step 1. Landfill Characteristics 4
Step 2. NSPS/EG Tier 1 Evaluation 4
Step 3. Project Templates 4
Step 4. Project Financial Assumptions 4
Step 5. Energy Price 5
Step 6. Quick Financial Report 5
Step 7. Optional Step Through Project Configuration! Detailed Interview 5
CHAPTER 2. E-PLUS LANDFILL AND LANDFILL GAS ASSUMPTIONS 7
CHA R 3. LANDFILL DESIGN 9
Landfill Characteristics 9
Project Templates 11
Project Financial Assumptions 12
Process Configuration 13
Add Stage 13
Define Stage 14
Insert Stage 14
Stage Costs 15
Clear Stage . 15
Rotate Image 16
CHAPTER 4. LANDFILL GAS RECOVERY STAGES 1 17
Collection 17
Compression 19
Electricity Generation 20
Electricity Sales 22
Flare 25
Gas Enrichment (User Defined) .. 26
Gas Sales ...... 27
Gas Treatment 29
Interconnect 30
Pipeline 31
Gas
Table of Contents
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CHA1”I’ER 5. DEF’I1sTItsIG STAGE COSTS • 35
Enteringf Editing Stage Cost Components .
Rule of Thumb Versus Detailed Component Costs
CHi%1”FER 6. PROD!JCFIOJSJ 39
CHAPTER 7. ANALYZING THE COSTS AND BENEFITS 43
Environmental Benefits 43
Project Evaluation 44
Cashflow Analysis 44
What If Analysis
Summary Report 47
CHAPTER 8. ADDING, DELETING, EDITING LANDFILL PARTNERS 49
Add Partner 49
Edit Partner 49
Delete Partner 49
CHAPTER 9. HELP AND OTHER FEA1’LJRES . .............. ......... ........... 51
Help
Checklist 51
Search 51
About 51
Wiridoiv Options 52
Cascade 52
Tile 52
Arrange Icons 52
Close All 52
Minimize All 53
Restore All 53
CHAPTER 10. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 55
What are the implications of the IRR Error? 55
What is an unresolved energy flow? 55
How do I enter Total Costs or Rule of Thumb Costs instead of Detailed Line Item Costs’ 56
APPENDIX A: DEFAULT LANDFILL GAS COMPONENT COSTS 59
Collection Costs 59
Compression Costs 59
Electricity Generation Costs 59
flare Costs 60
Gas Enrichment Costs 60
Gas Conditioning/Treatment Costs 61
Interconnect Costs 61
Pipeline Costs 61
Table of Contents
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APPE1’JDIX B: GI..OSSAR1’ 63
65
Table of Contents
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Introduction
Welcome to E-PLUS - the Energy Project Landfill Gas Utilization Software. E-PLUS is a
decision support system designed to analyze the opportunities for installation of a gas
recovery system at your landfill.
Installing the E-PLUS Software
Before you begin working with E-PLUS, check the contents of your E-PLUS package,
make sure you have the correct equipment to run the program, and read through the rest
of this section to be sure you have a clear understanding of the installation procedure.
The E-PLUS Package
Your E-PLUS package includes the following:
• 3½ inch E-PLUS program disk
• E-PLUS manual
Required Equipment
• An IBM compatible computer with a 386SX or better processor with at least 8 MB
RAM;
• Microsoft Windows 3.1 or later; and
• Hard disk with at least 4 MB of space available,
Recommended Equipment
• Color monitor - E-PLUS will operate on a monochrome monitor; however, some
screens are difficult to read. We suggest using a minimum resolution of 800 by 600.
• Mouse - If you do not have a mouse, it is possible (though rather inconvenient) to use
E-PLUS using keyboard controls. File menu options may be accessed by clicking the
Alt key and the underscored letter in the menu option (e.g., to access the File menu,
click Alt+F).
• Printer - You may wish to print a hard copy of E-PLUS’ results.
Installation Instructions
For Windows 3.1
To install E-PLUS on your computer, follow the instructions below:
1. Insert the E-PLUS disk into your floppy disk drive (A or B).
2. Click on the File menu of your Windows Program Manager and select Run.
3. Type a:\install (or b:\install) and click OK.
4. Follow the instructions during the installation process, making sure that you select
the default directory.
5. Read the message in the instruction screen at the end of the installation process and
double click on the upper left band corner to continue.
To run E-PLUS, double click on the E-PLUS icon, or click on the File menu of the
Windows Program Manager, select Run, and type c:\eplus\eplus.exe (or
Introduction
-------
d:\eplus\eplus.exe or e:\eplus\eplus.exe, depending on where you install the E-PLUS
program files).
For Windows 95
Although designed for Windows 3.1, you may install E-PLUS on Windows 95 using the
directions below:
1. Insert the E-PLUS disk into your floppy disk drive (A or B).
2. Click on the Start button and select Run.
3. Type a:\install (or b:\install) and click OK.
4. Follow the instructions during the installation process, making sure that you select
the default directory.
5. Read the message in the instruction screen at the end of the installation process and
double click on the upper left hand corner to continue.
To run E-PLUS, click on the Start button and select E-PLUS from the Program group.
After E-PLUS has loaded, it will display the “Welcome to E-PLUS” screen. To begin the
program, click on Yes.
If you are a first time user, you may want to continue with the E-PLUS Tutorial section of
this manual to go through a quick overview of the E-PLUS software.
If you have any questions regarding the above installation procedure, please call the
Energy Star Hotline at 1-888-STAR-YES (toll-free).
Introduction
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E-PLUS Vetrion 1.4
Chapter 1. E-PLUS Interview/UuicK start
Users who are not familiar with E-PLUS are advised to use the E-PLUS Interview. The
interview may be accessed by clicking on the happy face icon (Figure 1) on the toolbar or Figure 1: Happy face
by clicking “OK” in the welcome screen (Figure 2). icon
LANDFILL METhANE
OW AQ1 PROGRAM
Wek eeie to E-PLUS
EPLUS is now in Interview Mode and will take you
step-by-step through the development at your landfill
gas-to-energy recovery protect Once you, p.a ect has
been developed. PLUS will estimate both the
profitability end environmental beneMsit your protect.
E-PLUS will also allow you to change default values
contained in the eo pam for a customized evaluation
to proceed with EPUIS I
under the Interview Mode UK
Chclungthe M No ”buttonwiftput —
E PLUS silo Manual Mode
Figure 2: E-PLUS Welcome Screen
The first interview screen pops up as shown in Figure 3 below:
The Interview will help ,ou set-up an existing or planned landfill gas recovery protect The Interview
will lead you through a few input screens where you will ente, the following.
(og Size end Waste In Place)
g. Electricity Generation)
te g.. Electricity Rates Vkwh)
Protect Financial Assiaiptiont g Discount rate Pw ec4 Ue)
Based on this odoimurtion E PLUS will create a computer model of pour landfill
You can lalet ,eb-wU model usiiig the E PLUS Design Menu.
PressflKtecontmue. IMPORTANT NOTE Anpexisting — I Ii I
Design information will be erased when the Interview starts UK tft :j (F j
Figure 3: E-PLUS Interview screen
To continue with the interview, click on the OK button. To cancel, click on the Cancel
button. Note: Any existing design information will be erased when the interview starts.
The following sections briefly describe the steps involved with entering the data into the
E-PLUS software system.
‘I
E-PLUS: Interview
— Characteristics .1 Landfill
- - Type of Energy Recovery Project
— Energy Price Information
Chapter 1
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Step 1. Landfill Characteristics
The first step is to enter the characteristics of your landfill, including the amount and
growth of waste at the site. This screen is divided into the following three sections:
• Landfill Chronology - includes the dates corresponding to the opening and closing
of the landfill.
• Landfill and Waste Metrics - includes information regarding the dim nsions and
content of the landfill.
• Landfill Gas Composition - includes information regarding the composition of the
landfill gas extracted.
For more detailed information about the Landfffl Characteristics screen, see the Landfill
Characteristics section on page 9.
Step 2. NSPS/EG Tier 1 Evaluation
The second step in the E-PLUS interview is the NSPS/EG Tier 1 Evaluation. Based on
the data entered in Step 1- Landfffl Characteristics, the landfill may be subject to thi New
Source Performance Standards (NSPS) / Emissions Guidelines (EG) Tier 1 calculations’.
Step 3. Project Templates
The third step is to enter the project template which is used to create the various stages in
the landfill gas recovery project. These stages may be defined in the Process
Configuration screen.
A template may be chosen by selecting the desired option(s) in the Landfill Gas Recovery
Project Template Dialog. Templates for the following project options are available in this
version of E-PLUS:
• Electricity Production
• SaleofGas
• Collect and Flare (the default gas usage if neither Electricity Production or Sale of Gas
is selected).
For more detailed information about the Project Templates screen, see the Project
Templates section on page 11.
Step 4. Project Financial Assumptions
The next step is to edit the default project, financial, tax, and/or inflation assumptions
used by E-PLUS to evaluate the profitabifity of the defined landfill gas recovery system.
These financial assumptions include the downpayment percentage, loan rate, discount
rate, and inflation rate. These characteristics are very important for the estimation of
costs and benefits and should be edited as accurately as possible.
In addition, the exclusion of the collection and flaring costs may be selected in this screen
if a collection and flaring system is already in place at the landfill. This option may be
selected by clicking the “Exclude Collection and Flaring System Costs”.
For more detailed information about the Financial Assumptions screen, see the Financial
Assumptions section on page 12.
‘Federal Register (Vol. 61, #49) March 12,1996 or the Code of Federal Regulations (40 CFR parts
51,52, and 60).
Chapter 1
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Step 5. Energy Price
The next step is to enter default energy prices for electricity and gas. Detailed energy
prices may be entered in the Process Configuration screen by selecting the Electricity
Sales and/or Gas Sales stages.
For more detailed information about the Process Configuration screen please see page
13. For more information about the energy sales screens please see Electricity Sales on
page 22 and Gas Sales on page 27.
Step 6. Quick Financial Report
The next step is to view the quick financial report. This report is created from the data
entered in the first 4 steps of the interview. This following estimates are displayed in this
screen:
• Total capital costs
• Annual benefits
• Annual operating costs
• NPV
• Simple payback
• NPV payback
• Approximate IRR
• Average Electricity Rate ($/kWh) with inflation
• Average Gas Rate ($/MMBTU) with inflation
• Average Electricity Rate ($/kWh) base year
• Average Gas Rate ($/MMBTIJ) base year
This screen may not be edited. The What If Analysis (page 45) may be selected to see the
effects on these estimates when the average electricity or gas prices are changed.
For more detailed information about the Quick Financial Report, see the Project
Evaluation section on page 44.
Step 7. Optional Step Through Project Configuration!
Detailed Interview
The next step is to optionally step through the various stages of the process configuration.
The process configuration is created from the selection made in the Project Template
screen. The Guide Through the Landfill Design dialog (Figure 4) gives you the option
to step through the design or skip through the design and complete the interview.
Chapter 1
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E-PLUS: Guide Through The Landfill Design
E-PLUS will now step thiough each design stage ol the landidi gas recovery *
project you have designed.
Once you enter this process you will not be able to leave until all design stages
have been viewed. You can click the cancel button if you do not wish to
participate in this guided tour.
I ° I * I 7Heh I
Figure 4. Guide Through the Landfill Design screen
Note: Upon entering, you may not leave the detailed interview until all design stages
have been viewed. If you do not wish to participate in this tour you should click on the
Cancel button.
If you wish to continue with this tour you should click on the OK button. Detailed
descriptions of the Process Configuration screen and the landfill gas recovery stages are
covered in the Process Configuration section on page 13 and the Landfill Gas Recovery
Stages Chapter on page 17.
Chapter 1
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Component
Equation/Default assumption
User can edit
Density of waste
4444 lbs/ft3
Y
Volume of
landfill
waste (Ibs)
Volume (ft 3 ) =
density of waste
N*
Depthoflandfill
50ft
Y
Area of landfill
volume of landfill (ft 3 ) 1 acre
Area (acres) = depth of landfill (ft) 43,500 ft 2
N t
And environment
Less than 25 inches of precipitation per year
N
Non-arid
environnient
More than 25 inches of precipitation per year
,
N
*The equation cannot be edited by the user. The factor(s) that go into the equation may be edited
by the user.
E-PLUS also uses default assumptions and data for landfill gas upon extraction and
processing. E-PLUS currently assumes constant temperature of landfill gas throughout
the process from extraction to consumption. Thus any change in pressure or volume flow
rate is adjusted using Boyle’s Law:
P 1 V 1 = F 2 V 2 where:
Pi is initial pressure
Vi is initial volume
P 2 is fiiial pressure
V 2 is final volume
All reported values of pressure are in terms of gauge pressure. All pressure
computations are calculated in terms of absolute pressure where:
Absolute Pressure (psi) = Gauge Pressure (psi)+ 14.7 (psi)
The heating value of landfill gas is directly related to the percentage of methane and the
absolute pressure.
Heating value of Methane = 1000 BTU/ft3 at STP (Standard Pressure and Temperature)
Heating value of Landfill Gas = [ percent Methane * 1000 BTU/ft3] x [ Gauge Pressure +
14.71/14.7
Chapter 2. E-PLUS Landfill and Landfill Gas
Assumptions
E-PLUS uses default data and algorithms to calculate the amount of landfill gas produced
and utilized at a landfffl gas recovery project. Many of these assumptions may be edited
by the user in the Landfill Design screens (see Chapter 3. Landfffl Design on page 9).
The general landfill assumptions are used to describe the size and content of the landfill.
Table I lists these assumptions and, where applicable, the equations used to calculate the
values.
The density of the waste and the depth of the landfill both may be edited by the user in
the Landfill Characteristics screen (see page 9).
Table 1: General Landfill Assumptions
Chapter 2
-------
To calculate changes in the composition and flow rate of landfill gas as the result of water
vapor/moisture removal E-PLUS estimates the following:
New % CH4 = [ Old % CH 4 / (100 - Reduction in Water Vapor)J x 100
New Flow Rate = Old Flow rate x [ (100 - Reduction m Water Vapor) / 100]
Example :
Take landfill gas (composition breakdown in Table 2) flowing at 1,000 mcf per day. Water
vapor/moisture content is reduced from 3% to 1% (reduction of 2%). E-PLUS computes
the C l - I 4 content and flow rates as follows:
New % CH4 = [ 50 / (100-2)] x 100 = 51.020
New Flow Rate = 1000 mcfd x [ (100 -2) / 100] = 980 mcfd
Table 2: Landfill Gas as Extracted
Component
Default assumption
User can edit
Methane
50%
Y
Carbon dioxide
40%
Y
Water vapor/moisture
3%
Y
Other
7% (=100% - sum of percentages HzO, CH4, COi)
N
Pressure (gauge)
1,0000 mcf
N
Chapter 2
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Chapter 3. Landfill Design
The Design menu (Figure 5) contains options which allow you to describe the •‘ i
characteristics of your landfill and its gas recovery components. These components are Landt Cheacteri tic:
designed using the landfill and landfill gas assumptions described in Chapter 2. Not all I fflPtdi
of the options may be available at one time. An option is available if it is displayed in Factoi
BOLD in the menu. As you enter data required in certain Design screens, additional Ecoce. s C rJigur&Ior4
Design options become available. You should go into each Design screen to ensure that Figure 5 Design menu
the characteristics of your landfill gas recovery facility are designed accurately.
The options contained within the Design menu are described in the following sections.
Landfill Characteristics
The purpose of the Landfill Characteristics screen is to enter the characteristics of your
landfill, including the amount and growth of waste at the site.
Select this screen by clicking the landfill characteristics icon (Figure 6) on the toolbar or
by selecting Landfill Characteristics from the Design menu. Your screen will look like Figum 6. Landfill
Charactenstics icon
Figure 7 below.
Landlill Chaiact ii:tic
Landfill Chonology
Year Landfill Opened I 1 970j
Yea, MSW Deposit: Started 1970 !
Year Landfill Closed ar Planned to be dosed 2030 !
Current Year 1
Landfill and Waste Metrics
r Use Density for Waste in Place Calculations
MSW Density (lbs/cu. ftJ I
Designed Landfill Depth (it) I 501
Area of Landfill (Acres) I 1241
Current MSW In Place (tons) I 2.700.000 !
Average Annual MSW Acceptance Rate (tons) I 100.000 !
r Leer than 25 Inches of Precipitation per Year
LF6 Composition as Extracted
Methane ( ‘ JI 501 Carbon Dioxide tZ)l 40 !
Water Vapor(Z) Other (ZJ
V ? 1
Figure 7 Landfill Charactenst:cs screen
Chapter 3
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Inputs :
The Landfill Characteristics screen is divided into three sections requiring inputs from
the user. These sections include:
1) Landfill Chronology -The top section of this dialog box contains the dates
corresponding to the opening and closing of the landfill. Specifically, the following years
should be entered in this section:
• Year the landfill opened
• Year the municipal solid waste (MSW) deposits started
• Year the landfill closed or is planned to close
• Current year
2) Landfill and Waste Metrics - The middle section of this dialog box contains
information regarding the dimensions and content of the landfill. The following
information is required in this section:
• MSW Density (lbs/ft 3 )
• Designed Landfill Depth (ft)
• Designed Area of Landfill (acres)
• Current MSW in Place (tons)
• Average Annual MSW Acceptance Rate (tons/year)
3) Landfill Gas Composition - The third section at the bottom of this dialog contains
information regarding the composition of the landfill gas as extracted. The following
percentages should be entered:
• Methane
• Carbon Dioxide
• Water Vapor
• Other
Note: The sum of all of these percentages should equal 100%.
Assumptions :
• General landfill assumptions are described in Table 1 in Chapter 2.
• Annual average acceptance rate for years between current year and year MSW
deposits started equals:
Current MSW In Place / (Current Year - Year MSW Deposits Started).
• Annual aveiage acceptance rate for years greater than the current year equals the
value entered in the Average annual acceptance rate box in the Landfill
Characteristics screen.
• Currently E-PLUS does not consider the side slope parameter in calculations for
landfill area and volume. Under certain circumstances this assumption could
overestimate the total waste volume.
Features :
• If you know the current MSW in place (tons) and the annual MSW acceptance rate
(tons), enter these values in the appropriate boxes. Based on these values, the density
of the MSW, and the depth of the landfffl, E-PLUS calculates the area of the landfill.
• If you know the area of the landfill in acres, check the “Use density for Waste in Place
Calculations” box and enter the area in the appropriate box. E-PLUS wifi calculate
the current MSW in place and the annual MSW acceptance rate given the area and
the density of the waste.
• E-PLUS uses the current MSW in place and annual MSW acceptance rates to
determine the MSW in place for each year over the life of the landfill. You may view
and/or edit this information in the Methane Production screen (see page 39).
Chapter 3
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• In addition, you should indicate whether the landfill receives less than 25 inches of
rainfall per year by clicking the appropnate box. This factor is used by the methane
generation algorithms (see page 39).
Click on OK to save this information.
Project Templates
The Project Templates option allows you to enter the landfill gas recovery configuration
template that best fits your landfill project.
Select this screen by clicking the project templates icon (Figure 8) on the toolbar or by
selecting Project Templates from the Design menu. Your screen will look like Figure 9 Figure 8 Project
below. Template icon
X
IFl i Recovery Pro ect Templates
Choose all the end-products that
apply to yow landfill gas recovery
projeci
Landfill Gas End Use
r Electricity Generation
r Gas Sale
[ JCV] [ XC r 1 [ ?w 1
Figure 9. Project Template screen
Inputs :
A template may be chosen by selecting the desired option(s) in the Landfill Gas
Recovery Project Template Dialog. Templates for the following project options are
available in this version of E-PLUS:
• Electricity Production
• Sale of Gas
• Collect and Flare (the default gas usage if neither Electricity Production nor Sale of
Gas is selected).
Features :
• E-PLUS creates a landfill gas recovery project template (see the Process
Configuration section on page 13) based on the selection(s) made by the user. If you
do not choose any of the options, E-PLUS assigns a collect and flare template for the
landfill gas recovery project.
• The E-PLUS template may contain several splitter stages (see page 32) that distribute
the flow of landfill gas. Please note that all splitters distribute the gas equally except
for the first splitter immediately following the collection stage. By default, 5% of the
landfill gas following the collection stage is sent to the flare stage and the remaining
gas is directed for use by the project. The user may choose to modify the amount of
gas distributed a splitter stage.
Click on OK to save this information.
Chapter 3
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Project Financial Assumptions
The purpose of this option is to edit or change the default project, financial, tax, and/or
inflation assumptions used by E-PLUS to evaluate the profitability of the defined landfill
gas recovery system.
Select this screen by clicking on the financial assumptions icon (Figure 10) on the toolbar
Figure 10 Financial or by selecting Financial Assumptions from the Design menu. Your screen will look like
Assumptions icon Figure 11 below.
[ -PLUS Control Panel: Pro ect Financial Ai umplion : 9
Listed below ale the default project, financial. tax, and inflation assumptions that
E-PLUS will use for evaluating the profitability of methane recovery systems. You
should adjust these values to suit pow financial situation.
Methane Proiect
Lifetime (Yearsj
Project start year [
llase Year for
Calculations
Downpapment (* of
Initial Cost)
Loan Rate (* per Year)
Project Discount
j j ] Ratetzj
Project Loan Period (Years)
Marginal Tax Rate
(Z)
Depreciation Method Straight Line
Used for Taxes
Inflation ( ) I 4.01
This landfill may be affected by the NSPS/Efi Tier I calculation, rule. It it - -
advisable to exclude collection and flaring system costs. ClicI HELP foi more
details.
(il’ Exclude Collection and Flaring System Costs
- 1.”°’ 1 [ X 1 I I ‘ I
Figure 11 Financial Assumptions screen
Input
Default
Methane project lifetime
15 years
Downpayment
20% of initial cost
Loan rate
None - user must enter
Loan payback penod
10 years
Project discount rate
12%/year 2
Marginal tax rate
35%
Inflation rate
4%3 (used for cost escalation
over the life of the project)
Depreciation method used
Straight-Lme
Inclusion/exclusion of collection and flaring system costs
Vanes
These values should be edited if necessary to ensure an accurate reflection of the landfill’s
financial situation.
2 USEPA. 1993. Opportunities to Reduce Anthropogenic Methane Emissions in the United States. Report
to Congress. EPA Office of Air and Radiation, Washington, D.C. EPA 430-R-93-012, October 1993.
3 Return on 10 year T-BilI - 2.5%.
Chapter 3
Inputs :
-------
Assumptions :
Stage Details
• Loan payback period cannot exceed methane project lifetime.
• Project discount rate is the nominal discount rate (real discount rate + inflation rate).
Features :
• Provides parameters for project financial evaluation.
• Collection and flaring system costs can be excluded from the project financial
evaluation if a collection and flare system is already in place. You may wish to also
exclude the collect and flare system if your landfill is triggered under the New Source
Performance Standards (NSPS) and Emissions Guidelines (EG) under the “Clean Air
Act” which require you to install and operate a gas collection and flare system. Since
this is an unavoidable cost, you may wish to exclude this from the financial
evaluation and evaluate only the new costs for the utilization system.
Click on OK to exit and save.
Figure 12 Configuration
Process Configuration ______
The purpose of the Process Configuration screen is to define the characteristics of the
components in your landfill gas recovery system.
Select this screen by clicking on the configuration icon (Figure 12) on the toolbar or
selecting Process Configuration from the Design menu. This screen is created based on
what was entered in the Project Templates Dialog Box (see page 11).
Each of the boxes in this screen represent a different component of the landfill gas ___________________
recovery project. The red colored box indicates the component which is selected. A
component may be selected by hitting the tab key as many times as needed to reach the
desired component or by clicking on the component box with the mouse. Note: you may
need to use the scroll bars to vww some parts of the screen.
Upon entering this screen you will see a new menu option titled Stage Details (Figure
13). The options contained within this menu allow you to edit and view the different
landfill gas recovery components and the associated costs. These same options appear
when you click with the rigJ t mouse button when yo .1 are over a selected red component
box. Additionally, the options correspond to the buttons in the Process Configuration
floating tool bar (Figure 14). These options are described in detail below:
Add Stage
The Add Stage option allows you to append a stage at the tail end of the process
configuration when applicable. E-PLUS is designed with “built in” logic for mapping
landfill gas recovery projects. A new stage may only be added if the “built in” logic is
satisfied. For example, a compression stage may not be added if a collection stage does
not exist. E-PLUS determines the list of possible stages that can follow an existing stage.
If you wish to insert a stage between two existing stages please use the Insert Stage
option described below.
The Stage Selection dialog box (Figure 15) may be accessed by clicking on the stage
which is to be followed by the new stage and choosing Add Stage from the Stage Details
menu or clicking on the add button (Figure 16) in the floating toolbar.
M d Stage
efine Stage
insert Stage
Stage Qocts F4
C!eat Stage ShdtFl2
Rotate Image
Figure 13 Stage Details
menu
Figure 14 Process
Configuration Floating
toolbar
Chapter 3
-------
• E-PLIJS Stage Selection
ICompi ion
Click the arrow button to the right of the selection box to reveal the component choices
available in reference to the previous stage. Scroll through these options, click the
desired process, and then click the OK button to save and continue. A blue box
corresponding to the new stage is created in the process configuration window.
NOTE: E-PLUS issues a warning “Cannot Create Stage” if the desired addition does not
conform with “built in” logic.
Figure 17 Define button
Define Stage
The purpose of this option is to enter the characteristics of the different components
utilized at the landfill gas recovery system.
You may access this screen for each component of the landfill gas recovery system by
highlighting the component you wish to describe and double clicking the left mouse
button, clicking on the define button (Figure 17) in the floating toolbar, or selecting
Define Stage from the Stage Details menu.
The component definition screens for the available landfill gas recovery components are
described in Chapter 3 on page 17.
Insert
Figure 18 Insert button
Insert Stage
The Insert Stage option allows you to insert a landfill gas recovery stage between two
existing stages when applicable. E-PLUS is designed with “built in” logic for mapping
landfffl gas recovery projects. A stage may be inserted only if the “built in” logic is
satisfied. For example, an electricity generation stage may not be inserted between
existing compression and gas enrichment stages. E-PLUS determines the list of possible
stages that can follow an existing stage.
The Stage Selection dialog box (Figure 19) may be accessed by clicking on the stage
which is to be followed by the new stage and choosing Insert Stage from the Stage
Details menu or clicking on the insert button (Figure 18) in the floating toolbar.
• [ -PLUS Stage Selection
H --____
Comprei ion
1
/oi fi Xcance 7 Help
Figure 19: Stage Selection Dialog box
Click the arrow button to the right of the selection box to reveal the component choices
available in reference to the previous stage. Scroll through these options, click the
___ Vo1 Xca n4? e j
Add _________________________________
Figure 16 Add button Figure 15. Stage Selection Dialog box
Chapter 3
-------
desired process, and then click the OK button to save and continue. A blue box
corresponding to the new stage is created in the process configuration window.
NOTE: E-PLUS issues a warning “Cannot Create Stage” if the desired insertion does
not conform with “built in” logic.
Stage Costs
The Stage Costs option allows you to enter/edit the capital and operating costs of the
components at your landfill gas recovery facility.
Select this option by clicking on the stage which you would like to inspect and pressing
F4, clicking on the dollars button (Figure 20) in the floating toolbar, or selecting Stage
Costs from the Stage Details menu. An example of this screen is shown for the
Collection component in Figure 21.
Collection Costs
5
6
7
8
— 9 —
10
11
12
13
14
Item
I We ll
Well heath
Pipe
Bb qer:
Conder ate knod OUI
Monitor
Colechon System Variable O&M
Colec(ron Syrtern F ced 0&M
Collection Sy. lern lrrtafiation
Cogection Sytem Capital
Collection 5y lem 0&M
Cost Units
$10000 per loom
$50000 per unit
$3500 per toot
$2000 Cu ltimrrtte
S8.000 00 per unit
$1 .00000 per tilt
$4.500 00 per well/year
$000 peiyear
$0 00 Per ln ta thon
$163891 72
154.00000
Figure 21 Collection Costs Screen
Any of the cream colored boxes may be edited if necessary. If available, default costs are
provided. Any user defined costs are shown in red. Similar cost tables are provided for
the all components except for Electricity Sales, Gas Sales, and Split Gas.
The Component Cost floating toolbar (Figure 22) is displayed with options allowing you
to reset to defaults, access help for the screen, and close the screen.
When you are finished viewing/editing this screen you may save and exit by double
clicking on the upper left hand corner of this screen or clicking on the close button in the
floating toolbar.
NOTE: Please refer to Chapter 5. Defining Stage Costs (page 35)for more details on how
to use this feature.
- ii
OoI r;
Figure 20 Dollars
button
U
Clear Stage
The Clear Stage option allows you to clear one or more stages from the process
configuration. To clear a stage you should select the stage you wish to clear and select
Clear Stage from the Stage Details menu or click on the erase button (Figure 23) in the
floating toolbar.
NOTE: All stages following the deleted stage are also deleted.
Figure 23 Erase button
1
2
Quantity
45000
1200
288420
14723
100
100
1200
100
100
Total
$45.000 00
$600000
$10094700
12.94472
$800000
$1 .00000
154.00000
$000
$000
Figure 22: Component
Cost floating toolbar
Chapter 3
-------
Rotate Image
Fbp
Figure 24 Flip button
The Rotate Image option allows you to rotate the process configuration schematic
diagram. To rotate the process configuration image, select Rotate Image from the Stage
Details menu or click on the flip button (Figure 24) in the floating toolbar.
Chapter 3
-------
Chapter 4. Landfill Gas Recovery Stages
A landfill gas recovery project is comprised of different stages in the landfill gas recovery
process. The configuration of these stages is created in E-PLUS after selecting a Project
Template (see page 11) and the visual display of this configuration is shown by selecting
the Process Configuration screen (see page 13).
This chapter analyzes the different landfill gas recovery stages and describes in detail the
information required in each of the corresponding design screens.
Most landfill gas recovery stages share a common feature of gas inflow and outflow.
E-PLUS uses the Ideal Gas Law and the Laws of Conservation of Energy and Mass to
calculate the characteristics of landfill gas in different stages.
Common Landfill Gas Recovery Stage Features :
Each stage displays the characteristics of the gas inflow and outflow to and from the
stage at the top of the screen. These characteristics include:
• Flow Rate (mmcf/year)
• Methane Content (%)
• Pressure (psig)
• BTU(BTU/cf)
• Moisture (%)
• Carbon Dioxide (%)
Auto Design Vs. User Defined Modes
E-PLUS has an auto design algorithm for each of the landfill gas recovery stages. The
auto design algorithm calculates design parameters for a stage as long as the user clicks
the “Cancel” button after viewing the stage screen. If the user clicks the “OK” button,
E-PLUS treats all values in the input screen as user defined and switches from the auto
design to a user design mode. Once the “OK” button has been clicked there is no way to
switch back to the auto design mode.
Data Input
Cancel Button Clicked
OK Button Clicked
No input by user
Some input by user
Auto Design Mode
Auto Design Mode
User Defined Mode *
User Defined Mode
Common Assumptions :
• Landfill and landfill gas assumptions are described in Chapter 2.
• The flow rate value displayed is the maximum flow rate assigned to a stage over the
life of the landfill gas recovery project. However, all calculations for a specific year
are based on the gas flows for that year. Gas flows for each year may be viewed or
edited in the Methane Production screen (see page 35).
Collection
The collection stage is the stage in which the gas produced at the landfill is collected.
This stage is mandatory for all landfill gas recovery systems and is the first component in
the process configuration. The Collection Stage Details screen (Figure 25) allows you to
design the collection stage so it may be specific to your landfill.
Chapter 4
-------
Collection
Value
466
500
Landfill Ga: Inflow
Landfill Gas Outflow
Parameter
Volue
Parameter
Flow Rate (mmcf/y,)
466
Flow Rate (mmc&yi)
Methane Content ( l
50
Methane Content (ZJ
50
Pre ure (psigj
0
Pre we (psig)
(
i]
BTU (BTU/ci)
500
Moisture Ri
3
Moisture RI
I
1
Carbon Dioxide RI
40
Carbon Dioxide (2)
40
Collection Components
Collection Well:
41 8lower Station
Nuinbe, of Wells ________ Condensate 21
Knockout ________
41 Monitoring System I ii
Number of Blowers [ 21 Piping Length (It) I 10 .4731
V <1 Xc e1 V*1
Figure 25 Collection Stage Details Screen
Inputs :
• Outflow pressure
• Outflow moisture content
• Type of wells (horizontal, vertical, or both)
• Number of wells
• Number of blowers
• Number of condensate knockout units
• Number of monitoring systems
• Piping length
• Collection efficiency
Assumptions :
Component
Default Assumption
User can edit
Well
1 per 1.5 acres
Y
Well length
75% of depth of landfill
N
Wellhead
1 per well
N
Condensate knockout unit
1 per 15 wells (minimum 1)
Y
Monitoring system
1 per system
Y
Blowers
2 per system
Y
Piping length
Square root of well area x number of wells
Y
Collection efficiency
85%
y
Features :
• Based on inputs and the common gas equations described on page 17, E-PLUS
computes changes to the gas flow. In addition, E-PLUS estimates annual costs for
the collection system based on annual gas flows.
BTU (BTU/cfl
C Horizontal
C i Vertical
(‘Beth
Number of Wellheath
(Collection Efticiencyl I 851
Chapter 4
-------
• Changing the collection efficiency (the actual amount of landfill gas recovered versus
the amount of landfill gas produced) changes the annual flow rate for the project in
the following manner
Project gas flow 1 = (gas flow from methane generation algorithms 1 X collection efficiency)
where its the year of gas flow
Click on the OK button to save and exit.
Compression
The compression stage is the stage in which the landfill gas is compressed. Like the
Collection Stage, the Compression Stage Details screen (Figure 26) allows you to design
the compression stage so it may be specific to your landfill.
• Compiez ion Syitem
Landlill Ga: Inflow Landfill Gas Outflow
Patametez Value Patametet Value
Flow Rate (mincl/yi) Flow Rate fmincl/yi) 348
Methane Content (Z) 50 Methane Content [ Z) 50
Preuuse pswJ Preuwe (psig) _______
BTU (UTU/cI) 500 BTU (BTU/c(J 636
Moitwe (2) 3 Moisture (2) 3
Caibon Dioxide (2) 40 Carbon Dioxide (2) 40
Compression Components
Number of Compression Stages 1
Total Horsepower I 241
[ VI fl*ance1I 7 He 1
Figure 26. Compression Stage Details Screen
Inputs :
• Outflow pressure
• Total horsepower
Assumptions :
Component
Default Assumption
User can edit
Compression ratio (R)
(outlet pressure +14 7)! (inlet
pressure + 14.7)
N
Number of compression stages
n such that RI/n is 5
N
Compression Ratio for Compressor i
(C 1 )
Ri/n
N
Supercompressability factor U)
(0 022 / [ (Inlet pressure + 14 7) /
10011
N
Brake horsepower required per
mmcfd (Bhp / mmcfd)
‘ ‘ C 5.16 ÷ 124 logC
I x
11 C,+C,J a97-o.03c
N
Total horsepower
(Bhp / mxncfd)x gas flow (mmcfd)
Y
*A loss of 5 psia is assumed between two compression stages.
Chapter 4
-------
Features :
• Based on inputs E-PLUS computes changes to the gas flow. In addition, E-PLUS
estimates annual costs for the compression system based on annual gas flows.
Click on the OK button to save and exit.
Electricity Generation
The electricity generation stage is the stage in which the treated landfill gas is utilized in
an IC engine or turbine to produce electricity. The Electricity Generation Stage Details
screen (Figure 27) allows you to design the electricity generation stage so it may be
specific to your landfill.
• Electiicity Generation
LanJ Gas Inflow
Parameter
Lan& Gas Outflow
Vakie I Parameter Value
Flow Hate (mlrsc&pr)
Flow Rate (meetly ,) I
Methane Content (Z)
5 ( 1 Methane Content (Z) [ 01
Pressure (psigj
4
(Pz’ 1 I uJ
RTU (BTIJ/cf)
S36
RTU (RTU/cfj I )
Electricity Generation Components
r Fuel Liie
I
f Control Systom
i x d1 J
Figure 27: Electricity Generation Dialog Box
Inputs :
• Fuel line
• Control system
Assumptions :
Component
Default Assumption
User can edit
Y
Fuel Line
Not selected
Control System
Not selected
Y
Features :
• E-PLUS estimates annual costs for the electricity generation system based on annual
gas flows and the selection of additional electricity generation equipment (fuel line
and/or control system).
The generator(s) may be designed in the Engine Generator Details screen which may be
accessed by clicking on “Generator Details” button. You should click this button to open
up the Engine Generator Details screen as shown in Figure 28.
Chapter 4
-------
U Generator Engine Details
Generaict & To’al Ga Eftciency Ut aiion Capac y IMU/l Ret Capacity IMWJ Load Facto Prockichon JkWh)
1 IlCLowEn e I 1C3G I] 25 103 189 189 100 1570000100
Figure 28. Generator Engine Details Dialog Box
Inputs:
• Type of generator(s)
• Percent of total gas for each generator (%)
• Generator efficiency (%)
• Generator utilization (%)
• Generator capacity (MW)
Assumptions
Component
Default Assumption
User can edit
Efficiency (Heat Rate)
Y
IC Low Pressure
25% (13,652 B11.J/kWh)
IC High Pressure
28% (12,189 BTU/kWh)
Turbine
20% (17,065 BTU/kWh)
LFG Heating value
Calculated from gas characteristics described
below
N
Load Factor
I(Electricity Produced kWh/yr)/8760
h/yrj/Engine capacity kW
N
Minimum Engine-generator
( [ LFG Heating value (BTU/ ff3) x Fuel
N
Capacity (kW)
consumption (ft3/h)] /
[ Heat rate (BTLJ/kWh)1j/utillzation factor
Engine-generator Capacity
Minimum Engine-generator Capacity (kW)
Y (Will issue
(kW)
warnings if less than
mm. engine capacity)
Utilization Factor
Fraction of hours in a year that the engine runs (
i.e. hours used per year (h/yr)/8760 (h/yr))
Y
Electricity Produced
{ [ LFG Heating value (BTU/ ff3) x Fuel
consumption (ff3/h)] / [ Heat rate (BTU/kWh)j}
x 8760 h
N
• The displayed engine capacity is the minimum required. If you enter a value less
than the recommended capacity, E-PLUS will issue an unresolved flow warning (see
page 55). In this case, the Electricity Generation stage box in the Process
Configuration screen will be black in color indicating this unresolved flow. E-PLUS
assumes that all gas is either consumed or flared. Therefore, the generator capacity
and gas flow to the generator must be consistent.
• Each generator utilizes a certain portion of the gas produced. The total of all of the
gas utilized should be 100%.
• Calculations for the minimum engine capacity assume that all the gas that reaches the
engine will be consumed. Therefore as the utilization factor is reduced the minimum
2
3
4
5
Chapter 4
-------
engine capacity will increase. To model a smaller engine, the user would reduce gas
flow to the engine.
NOTE: The “Production” column displays the average kWh of electricity produced given
the engine capacity, utilization factor, efficiency, and fi eI. The purpose of this column is
for display ONLY. E-PL [ IS evaluates projects on the basis of annual gas flows and
therefore annual electricity production which may vary from the average value displayed
above.
Features :
• Based on inputs and, E-PLUS designs the engine generator(s) at the landfill and
estimates annual costs for the engine(s).
Click on OK to save and exit this screen.
Electricity Sales
The electricity sales stage is the stage in which the landfill gas is sold to the utility or to
other customers. The Electricity Prices screen (Figure 29) allows you to edit the default
electricity prices and the electricity demand for the end use consumers.
Electricity Pruce
Sale to Utility (1/kWh)
Sale to Customer ($/kWhl $00451
Displaced Own Use (S/kWh) I 50.0451
Price lirowth Rate (X/yeai) I 3.01
Tax Credit Other Credits. I
Cu rner I
°‘ [ Xc ? Help
Figure 29 Electncity Pnces Dialog Box
Inputs :
• Electricity prices for the utility, a customer, and for displaced landfill use ($/kWh)
• Pnce growth rate (%/year)
• Tax Credit type and value ($/kWh)
Features :
• E-PLUS calculates the value of the electricity produced and sold to one or more
customers.
Custorner The supply and demand of the electricity for each of the end use customers may be
edited by clicking on the supply and demand button (Figure 30).
Figure 30 Supply and The Electricity Demand dialog pops up as shown in Figure 31.
Demand Button
Chapter 4
-------
Electricity Demand
Sel the priority ol demand br the bollowing end use sites: < C C I II ?
SaleToUlility 1 -
_______ Which table would you like to
view?
Sale To Customer 2 ________
_____ C 5upp l,
Displaced Own Use P I 4’ Run ( Demand
- - TotatkWhProduced AvailabtekWh SaIeToUt ty SaleToCustoiner DisplacedOwnUse .. .j
19% I 1001851 I 0 1001851 0 0
1997 1038957 0 1038957 0 0
1998 1076063 0 1076063 0 0
1999 1113168 0 1113168 0 0
2(100 - 1113168 0 1113168 0 I)
2001 1113168 0 1113168 0 ( I
2002 - - 1113168 0 1113168 0 0
2003 - 1113168 0 1113168 0 0
‘ma 1113168 0 1113168 0 0
Figure 31. Electricity Demand Dialog Box
Inputs :
• Priority of demand for each of the customers
• Electricity (in kWh) to be allocated to each customer
Assumption :
• Electricity supply is allocated to the customers based on the customer priority which R
is set in the top left portion of the dialog. After changing the priorities, the table may 4’ un
be updated by clicking on the run button (Figure 32). As a result of prioritizing the
customers, some customers may not be supplied some or all of their demand. For Figure 32 Run Button
example, if there is a total supply of 5,000 kWh available, and the utility demands
3,000 kWh, the customer demands 1,000 kWh, and the landfill demands 1,000 kWh to
offset its current electricity supply, the total demand equals 5,000 kWh and thus each
customer is supplied its demand. If however, the utility demands 3,000 kWh, the
customer demands 2,000 kWh and the landfill demands 1,000 kWh for a total
demand of 6,000 kWh, supply is allocated based on demand. If the utility has
priority 1, the customer has priority 2, and the landfill has priority 3, the utility
demand (3,000 kWh) and the customer demand (2,000 kWh) will be supplied while
the landfill demand will not as there is no electricity available. If however, the
landfill has priority 1, the customer has priority 2, and the utility has priority 3, the
landfffl demand (1,000 kWh) and the customer demand (2,000 kWh) will be satisfied
but the utility will be supplied only 2,000 kWh (versus the 3,000 kWh it demanded)
which is remaining after satisfying priorities 1 and 2. These cases are outlined in the
table below:
Chapter 4
-------
Demanded
Supplied
Case I - Total Available = 5,000 kWh
Utility ( I)
Customer (2)
Landfill (3)
Case 2 - Total Available = 5,000 kWh
Case 3 - Total Available = 5,000 kWh
Landfill (I)
Customer (2)
Utility (3)
Demanded
Supplied
1,000
1,000
2,000
2,000
3,000
2,000
Total Demanded = 6,000
Total Supplied = 5,000
Features :
Demanded
Supplied
3,000
3,000
Utility (I)
3,000
3,000
1,000
1,000
Customer (2)
2,000
2,000
1,000
1,000
Landfill (3)
1,000
0
Total Demanded = 5,000
Total Supplied = 5,000
Total Demanded = 6,000
Total Supplied = 5,000
• E-PLUS allocates electricity sales to one or more customers based upon the priorities
set in the top of the screen..
• Both the supply and the demand for each customer may be displayed. The
corresponding tables may be selected by clicking on either the supply or demand
button.
• The demand for each customer may be edited if necessary in the demand table. The
yellow boxes in the table may be double clicked to open up the Set kWh Demand
dialog box as shown in Figure 33. In this screen you may enter the kWh demand for
the customer as well as the start and end years for this demand.
Set kWh Demand
Stasting with Year Ii1 1; :JI
Ending with Year: 12015 z I
Fill cells with this value:
OK 1
1.001 . 8511 kWh [ Xcance I
? Help j
Figum 33 Set kWh Demand Dialog Oox
When you are finished viewing the supply and demand table, click on OK to save and
continue.
The flare stage is the stage in which the landfill gas is flared. The Flare Stage Details
screen (Figure 34) allows you to design the flare stage so it may be specific to your
landfill.
Flare
Chapter 4
-------
áFlarez
Landfill (lee Inflow Landfill Ga: Outflow
Pazaineter Value Parameter Value
Flow Rate (mnicl/y,J Flow Rate (mmcl/yij I 01
Methane Content xj 50 Methane Content (ZJ I 01
Pre :sure (p :igj 0 Pressure (pigJ I 01
BTU (BTU/cf) 5() ) BTU (BTU/cfj 0
Number of Flares
I V flxc H ? H*
Figure 34 Rare Stage Details Screen
Inputs :
• Outflow flow rate
• Outflow methane content
• Outflow pressure
• Number of flares
Assumvtions:
Component
Default Assumption
User can edit
flares
I per system
Y
Features :
• Based on inputs and the common gas equations described on page 17, E-PLUS
computes changes to the gas flow. In addition, E-PLUS estimates annual costs for
the flare system based on annual gas flows.
Click on the OK button to save and exit.
Gas Enrichment (User Defined)
The gas enrichment stage is the stage in which the landfill gas is further purified after
treatment. In this stage, carbon dioxide and other impurities are removed or pure
methane is added to increase the total percentage of methane in the landfill gas. The Gas
Enrichment Stage Details screen (Figure 35) allows you to design the gas enrichment
stage so it may be specific to your landfill.
The gas enrichment stage may also be used as a “user defined” stage. The gas
composition, pressure, and flow may be modified to reflect some form of landfill gas
processing by the user. E-PLUS assumes the user is aware of the changes being made. E-
PLUS computes the cost of processing based on the gas enrichment capacity flow rate.
__ gJ
Chapter 4
-------
• Ga Enrichment UE2
Landfill Gas Inflow Landfill Gas Outilow
Parameter Value Parameter Value
Flow Rate (mmct/ji) 30 Flow Rate (mmcf/yrj 30
Methane Content (ZJ so Methane Content (ZI I 501
Carbon Dioxide Content (XJ 40 Carbon Dioxide Content I 401
Moisture Content JZJ 3 Moisture Content IZI I
Other Components ZJ 7 Other Components (Z) ________
Pressure (psig) 4 Pressure (psig) ________
BTIJ (BTU/mcl) 8Th (BTUlmcl) 636
Methane Gain/Loss I 1001 Gas Enrichment Capacity I
Efficiency (X) (mct/day )
I V flxc 1I ? I
Figure 35 Gas Ennchment Stage Details Dialog Box
Inputs :
• Outflow methane content
• Outflow carbon dioxide content
• Outflow moisture content
• Outflow other components
• Outflow pressure
• Methane gain/loss efficiency
• Gas Enrichment capacity
Assumptions :
Component
Default Assumption
User can edit
Methane Gain/Loss Efficiency
100%
Y
Gas Enrichment Capacity
Capacity = inflow/day A
capacity less than the
daily inflow may not be
entered.
Y
Features :
• Based on the pressure and the methane gain/loss percentage, E-PLUS computes
changes to the gas flow. In addition, E-PLUS estimates annual costs for the gas
enrichment system based on annual gas flows and system capacity.
Click on the OK button to save and exit.
Gas Sales
The gas sales stage is the stage in which the landfill gas is sold to the pipeline or to other
customers. The Gas Rates screen (Figure 36) allows you to edit the default gas prices and
the gas demand for the end use consumers.
Chapter 4
-------
Ga: Rate: Per Million BTU
Sale to Pipeline (S/million UTU) $2.01
Sale to Customer (S/million BTUJ $2.01
Displaced Own Use (S/million BTU) $2.01
Gas Price Growth Rate
Tax Credit I Other Credits _ i1 $0.01
(S/million BTU)
C’itonier I
____ $/12K XCncel [ .HeIP
Figure 36 Gas Rates Dialog Box
Inputs :
• Gas prices for the pipeline, a customer, and for displaced landfill use (S/million BTU)
• Gas price growth rate (%/year)
• Tax Credit type and value (s/million BTU)
Features :
• E-PLUS calculates the value of the gas generated and sold to one or more customers.
The supply and demand of the gas for each of the end use customers may be edited by . Customer
clicking on the supply and demand button (Figure 37). __________
The Gas Demand/Supply dialog pops up as shown in Figure 38. Agure 37: Supply and
Demand Button
a Ga: Demand/Supply
Set the priority of demand lox the Iollowmg end use sites: I v’ ] IX h1 7 He
SaleToPipebne 1 . - . --
_______ Which table would ou hke to
view?
Sale To Customer 2 _________
_____ 5upp
Displaced Own Use P I 4f Run C Demand
j TotalBTU(rnillions ) A ail BTU(miiions) Sale To Pipeline SaleToCustomer Displaced0i inUce
- - - 1 - I 68787 I 0 68787 0 0
- - 70338 0 70338 0 0
71888 0 71888 0 0
2000 - 71888 0 71888 0 0
2001 71888 0 71888 0 0
2002 71888 0 71888 0 0
2003 71888 0 71888 0 0
2004 71888 0 71888 0 0
71888 0 71888 0 0
Figure 38 Medium BTU Gas Supply and Demand Dialog Box
Inputs :
• Priority of demand for each of the customers
• Gas (in million BTU) to be allocated to each customer
Chapter 4
-------
Assumption :
• Gas supply is allocated to the customers based on the customer priority which is set
in the top left portion of the dialog. After changing the priorities, the table may be
updated by clicking on the rim button (Figure 39). As a result of prioritizing the
customers, some customers may not be supplied some or all of their demand. For
example, if there is a total supply of 50 MMBTU available, and the pipeline demands
30 MrvIBTU, the customer demands 10 MMBTU, and the landfill demands 10
MMBTU to offset its current gas supply, the total demand equals 50 MMBTU and
thus each customer is supplied its demand. If however, the pipeline demands 30
MMBTU, the customer demands 20 MMBTU and the landfill demands 10 MMBTU
for a total demand of 60 MMBTU, supply is allocated based on demand. If the
pipeline has priority 1, the customer has priority 2, and the landfill has priority 3, the
pipeline demand (30 MMBTU) and the customer demand (20 MMBTU) will be
supplied while the landfill demand will not as there is no gas available. If however,
the landfill has priority 1, the customer has priority 2, and the pipeline has priority 3,
the landfill demand (10 MMBTU) and the customer demand (20 MMBTU) will be
satisfied but the pipeline will be supplied only 20 MMBTU(versus the 30 MMBTU it
demanded) which is remaining after satisfying priorities 1 and 2. These cases are
outlined in the table below:
Case I - Total Available = 50 million BTU
Pipeline (I)
Customer (2)
LandlilI (3)
Demanded
Supplied
30
30
10
10
10
10
Total Demanded = 50
Total Supplied = 50
2 - Total Availabl
e = 50 million B
r
U
Case
3 - Total Availab
e = 50 million BT
U
Landfill (I)
Customer (2)
Pipeline (3)
Demanded
Supplied -
10
10
20
20
30
20
Total Demanded = 60
Total Supplied = 50
Demanded
SuDDlied
PiDeline (l
30
30
Customer (2
20
20
Landfill (3)
10
0
Total Demanded = 60
Total Suoolied = 50
• E-PLUS allocates gas sales to one or more customers based upon the priorities set in
the top of the screen..
• Both the supply and the demand for each customer may be displayed. The
corresponding tables may be selected by clicking on either the supply or demand
button.
• The demand for each customer may be edited if necessary in the demand table. The
yellow boxes in the table may be double clicked to open up the Set BTU Demand
dialog box as shown in Figure 40. In this screen you may enter the BTU demand for
the customer as well as the start and end years for this demand. In this screen you
may enter the BTU demand for the customer as well as the start and end years for
this demand.
Figure 39. Run Button
Features :
Chapter 4
-------
a Set BTU Demand
Starting with Yea ,: 11131. - zJI - p4’ OK 1
Ending with Year 12015 zJI ________
Fill cells with this value: 6.8441 million _________
____ BTU [ ?1
Figure 40 Set BTU Dialog Box
When you are finished viewing the supply and demand table, click on OK to save and
continue.
Gas Treatment
The gas treatment stage is the stage in which the landfill gas is treated prior to electricity
generation or gas delivery. The Gas Treatment Stage Details screen (Figure 41) allows
you to design the gas treatment stage so it may be specific to your landfill.
Ga: Treatment
Landfill Gas Inflow Landfill Gas Outflow
Parameter Value Parameter Value
Flow Rate 340 Flow Hate (mmcf/prj 348
Methane Content (Z) Methane Content (2) 50
Pressure (psig) 4 Pressure (psig) 4
OTU tUTU/cl) 636 BTU (flU/cl) 636
Moisture (2) 3 Moisture
Carbon Dioxide (2) 40 Carbon Dioxide (2) 40
Gas Treatment Components
Select one or mose
r Sciubbers Number of Filters ________
r Refrigeratior
r
1 .xCH L
Figure 41. Gas Treatment Dialog Box
Inputs :
• Outflow moisture
• Scrubbers
• Refrigeration (dehydration process)
• Dessication (dehydration process)
• Number of filters
Chapter 4
-------
Assumptions :
Component
Default Assumption
User can edit
Filters
2 fihters/mmcfd (mm = 1)
Y
Scrubber
Not selected
Y
Dessicator
Not selected
Y
Refrigeration
Not selected
Y*
*The user can toggle whether or not this component is a part of treatment system The
number of units cannot be changed
Features :
• Based on inputs and the common gas equations described on page 17, E-PLUS
computes changes to the gas flow. In addition, E-PLUS estimates annual costs for
the treatment system based on annual gas flows and the additional equipment
selected.
Click on the OK button to save and exit.
Interconnect
The interconnect stage is the stage in which the electricity is connected to the utility
power lines. The Interconnect Stage Details dialog box (Figure 42) does not have a gas
inflow and outflow section as only electricity enters the stage.
Intei Connect
Substation Capacity
Distance born Substation to Subregional Feeder
Distance hum Substation to Eugme Generator
• Inter Connect Components
f Protective Relays
f7 System Dionect
I f Substation Telemetry
I 1.5871 kW
500
___________ feet
I 100 feet
Inputs :
Fv lixHi 7H
Figure 42: Interconnect Stage Details Dialog Box
• Substation capacity (kW)
• Distance from substation to subregional feeder (ft)
• Distance from substation to engine generator (ft)
• Protective relays, system disconnect, and substation telemetry components
Chapter 4
-------
Assumptions :
Component
Default Assumption
User can edit
Substation capacity (kW)
Set to engine-generator capacity
Y
Distance from substation to
subregional feeder
500 ft
Y
Distance from substation to engine
generator
100 ft
Y
Protective relays
Unit installed
Y
System disconnect
Unit installed
Y’
Substation telemetry
Unit installed
Y
*The user can toggle whether or not this component is a part of the interconnect system. The
number of units cannot be changed
Features :
• E-PLUS estimates annual costs for the interconnect system based on the substation
capacity and the additional equipment selected.
Click on the OK button to save and exit.
Pipeline
The pipeline stage is the stage in which gas is hooked into the pipelines. The Pipeline
Stage Details screen (Figure 43) allows you to design the pipeline stage so it may be
specific to your landfill.
Pipeline
Landfill Gas Inflow
Pasameter
Flow Rate (mmcl/pi)
Methane Content (ZJ
Presewe (psig)
BTU (OTU/cfl
1V0r 1 X hIL? I
Inputs :
Length of pipeline (ft)
Assumptions
Figure 43. Pipeline Stage Details Dialog Box
Component
Default Assumption
User can edit
Length of Pipeline
5,280 feet
Y
Features
• E-PLUS estimates annual costs for the pipeline system based on the number of feet of
pipeline required.
Click on the OK button to save and exit.
g il
Landfill Gas Outflow
Value Parameter
174 Flow Rate (mmcllyr)
50 Methane Content (Z)
4 Preuure (pigj
636 BTU (BTU/clJ
1 5.2801
Value
174
50
4
636
Length of Pipeline ( II)
Chapter 4
-------
Split Gas
The split gas stage is the stage in which gas is split from one component into two
components. For example, after gas treatment 50% of the gas may hook into the pipelines
and 50% of the gas may be run through an engine generator to generate electricity. The
split stage may be selected at any point in the configuration and may split in any
combination of percentages. The Landfill Gas Splitter dialog box (Figure 44) allows you
to design the split gas stage so it may be specific to your landfill.
Landfill Ga: SpliUer
Landfill Gas Inflow Landfill Gas Outflow To Flow 1
Pa,ametei ValUe Share of Landfill Gas To
Flow 1
Flow Rate (m,ncf!.yrj 452
Methane Content ( J 50
Pressure (ptig t Peicent ol Inflow I 501
BTU (BTU1c1J 636 ( Fj d Flow
Flow 1 Flow 2 Row 1 Flow 2 i t1
- I mmciiyr I• 1 -J
1997 2160
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
JJ
L V I Xcarc4! 1 L 7 ‘ ‘ I
Figure 44 Split Gas Stage Details Dialog Box
Inputs :
• The method of splitting the gas (either percent or fixed)
• The share of landfill gas to Flow 1
Assumptions :
• Flow 1 is the gas which flows to the component in the Process Configuration screen
which is on the same line as the Split Gas component (Figure 45) or directly
underneath the Split Gas component (Figure 46). Flow 2 is the gas which flows to the
component in the row of components below the Split Gas component (Figure 45) or
to the lower right of the Split Gas component (Figure 46). For example, in Figure 45
and Figure 46, Flow 1 is the flow to the Flare component and Flow 2 is the flow to the
Compression component.
Chapter 4
-------
Figure 45. Split Gas Honzontal Configuration
Flow I Flow2
Figure 46: Split Gas Vertical Configuration
Features
• E-PLUS allocates gas to the different components based on the inputs to this screen.
• The “Percent of Inflow” option sets the percent of the inflow that goes to Flow 1. The
“Fixed Flow” option sets the maximum flow that goes to Flow 1, the remainder, if
any, goes to Flow 2.
• E-PLUS displays the flow to the two components based on current pressure (as
shown in the upper left hand corner of the screen) and STP (standard temperature
and pressure).
• If the Flow 1 component is deleted, the Flow 2 component becomes the Flow 1
component.
Click on the OK button to save and exit.
Split Ga:
Flate
Flow I
Comixe ::ion
Flow 2
Split Ga:
Flare
r
Chapter
-------
Chapter 5. Defining Stage Costs
The cost of each landfill gas recovery stage is considered in the financial evaluation of the
costs and benefits of the defined landfill gas recovery project. As such, it is imperative
that the costs be defined as accurately as possible to ensure a reliable project financial
evaluation.
This chapter is divided into two sections. The first section describes how to enter and
edit the cost characteristics for each and the second section describes entering Rule of
Thumb costs values versus detailed component cost values.
Entering/Editing Stage Cost Components
As described on page 15 in Chapter 3, stage costs may be viewed and edited in the
Process Configuration screen by selecting a stage and then clicking on the dollars icon in
the floating toolbar or by selecting Stage Costs from the Stage Details menu.
Each stage cost is broken into different components in the Stage Costs screen. Where
possible, default values are used for the items that make up the stage, operation and
maintenance (O&M) costs, and installation costs. Any of the costs in the cream colored
cells may be edited if necessary. The unit for the cost is displayed under the “Units”
column and the number of units requested is displayed under the “Quantity” column.
The total for each subcost is displayed in the “Total” column.
NOTE: The value in the “Total” column is the product of the value in the “Cost” column
and the value in the “Quantity” column. The value displayed in the “Quantity” column
is the maximum over the life of the project and is for display ONLY. The actual values
used for the financial evaluation may vary year to year over the life of the project.
A sample cost table for the Collection stage is displayed in Figure 47 below:
Item Cost Units Quantity Total
Well $10000 per toot 4.65000 $465,000 00
Well Heads $50000 per unit 12400 $62,000 00
Pipe $3500 per fool 29.80340 $1 .043.11900
Blower. $2000 cu ftiminute 1.151 78 $23,035.60
Condensate Knockout $8,000 00 per unit 1 00 $8,000 00
Monitor $1 .00000 per unit 1 00 $1 .000 00
Collection System Variable O&M $4,500 00 per well/year 12400 $558,000 00
Coflection System Fixed 0&M $0 00 per year 1 00 $0 00
Collection 5y tem lnztdfation $000 Per lrttallaton 1 00 $000
Collection Sy. tem Capital $1,602.1 5480
CoHection System 0 .M $558,000 00
Figure 47: Sample Collection Costs
In this example, the Collection stage cost is broken into different collection component
costs including the costs of wells, wellheads, piping, blowers, condensate knockout, and
monitors. In addition, variable and fixed O&M costs are included as well as an
installation fee. By default, wells cost $100.00 per foot and, in this example, 4,650 wells
are needed for a total wells cost of $465,000. The other subcosts are similarly calculated.
Where possible, these subcosts should be edited to more accurately reflect the capital
costs for the defined landfill gas recoverysystem. The total collection system capital cost
is shown in the second to the last row and the total collection system O&M costs are
shown in the last row.
Chapter 5
-------
Rule of Thumb Versus Detailed Component Costs
If the detailed component costs for a stage are unknown, but the total cost per unit (Rule
of Thumb) is known, the Stage Costs table may be edited to reflect this. For example, if
you know that on average the total cost of an engine generator system is $1,250/kW
capacity but you do not know how this total breaks into the component costs for the
engine, fuel line, radiator, control system, and installation costs, you may alter the table to
input only the $1,250 value. The default Stage Costs table for Electricity Generation is
shown in Figure 48. In this table, the total cost per kW capacity for Electricity Generation
is $450 (IC High Engine) + $50 (fuel line) + $50 (radiator) $100 (control system) + $600
(installation) for a total of $1,250.
Figure 48. Sample Electricity Generation Costs
To enter the Rule of Thumb total cost of $1,250 you should first zero out all of the costs
per kW capacity that are used to calculate the total Electricity Generation costs (in this
case, the IC High (pressure) Engine, fuel line, radiator, control system, and installation
costs). Then, in any one of the cream colored cells with a per kW capacity unit, you
should enter 1,250. An altered cost table may look like Figure 49 below:
Figure 49. Altered Electricity Generation Costs Table
Item
-- - L
IC High Eriglie
Generator
Generator
Generator
Generator
Fuel Line Costs
Radiator Costs
Control System Costs
Electricity Generation Variable 0&M
Electricity Generation Fared 0&M
Electricity Generation InstaUation
Electricity Generation Capital
Electricity Generation 0&M
- Cost Units
$45000 per kWcapacity
$45000 per kW capacity
$45000 per kW capacity -
$450 00 per kW capacity
$45000 per kW capacity
$5000 per kW capacity
$5000 per kW capacity
$10000 per kW capacity
810 00 per MWh/year
$75.000 00 per MW capacity
$60000 per kW capacity
$t322.097 16
8167.65256
Quantity
1.05767
OfiD
0.00
0.00
000
1.05767
1 .057.67
1 .057.67
9.26525
1.05
1.05767
Total
8475.95497
so f ia
$000
$00 1)
$0 00
$5188388
$52,883 88
8105.767.77
892.652. 56
879.325 82
8634.60663
Item
Cost
IC High Engine $1 .250 00 per kW capacity
Generator $450 001 per kW capacity
Generator $45000 per kW capacity
Generator $45000 per kW capacity
Generator $45000 per kW capacity
Fuel Line Costs $000 per kW capacity
Radiator Costs $000 per kW capacity
Control System Costs $000 per kW capacity
Electricity Generation Variable 01CM $1000 per MWh/year
Electricity Generation Fixed 01CM $75,000 00 per MW capacity
Electricity Generation Installation $000 per kW capacity
Electricity Generabon Capital 51.322.097.16
Electricity Generation 01CM 81 67,652.56
Units Quantity
1,057.67
000
000
0.00
000
1.1)57.67
1,05767
1,057.67
9.26525
105
1,057.67
Total
81.322.09716
$000
WOO
$000
$000
$000
$000
$0.00
892.65256
$79,325 82
$000
Chapter 5
-------
Note that in this example the total cost of $1,250/kW capacity was entered in the IC High
Engine row. Note that all of the cells which have been changed from the default values
are shown with red text. All of the costs may be reset to the default by clicking on the
reset button (Figure 50) in the Stage Costs floating toolbar.
Figum 50: Reset button
Chapter 5
-------
Chapter 6. Methane Production
The amount of methane generated from a landfill may be estimated using several
different algorithms. Because methane production affects the costs and benefits of the
proposed project it is important to generate these estimates accurately This chapter
describes the algorithms used in E-PLUS to estimate methane production and the
associated features accompanying editing and viewing the methane production table.
The Methane Production table may be viewed by clicking on the methane icon (Figure
51) on the toolbar or by selecting Methane Production Estimates from the Methane
menu. In addition, this table may be viewed after entering the Landfill Characteristics
(see page 9) if the landfill is triggered by the New Source Performance Standards
(NSPS)/Emissions Guidelines (EG) Tier 1 Calculations. In this case you receive a dialog
box with a message stating that the landfill may be subject to the NSPS/EG Tier I
Calculations and a show me button (Figure 52) which opens the Methane Production
table.
The Methane Production table will look similar to Figure 53 below.
rHethane Production -WIP-30 EiID
Total Waste
Methane Landfill Gas
NMOC (Tier lJ
_____________ Megagramslyr
______________ 2.11
412
6.03
7.05
9.50
11.2
12.7
14.2
15.7
17.0
Figure 53 Methane Production Table
In order from left to right, the columns in this screen display total waste, methane
production, landfill gas production, and the Tier 1 NMOC emissions estimate. These
values are displayed each year from the year the landfill opened until 20 years after
either the year the landfill closed or the year the project ended, whichever period is
longer. The total waste may be edited if necessary. Editing the total waste will change
the methane, landfill gas, and NMOC emissions based on the algorithm used.
NOTE: A lesser amount of total waste cannot be entered for a year than the amount
estimated for the previous year.
Upon entering this screen, you should notice a new menu item called Method (Figure 54)
and a corresponding Method floating tool bar (Figure 55). The top three items in this
menu and tool bar show the three algorithms available for methane production analysis
in E-PLUS . The algorithm with the checkmark next to it in the menu indicates the current
method being used. The bottom three menu items show the three units available for
analysis (million ft 3 /year, 1,000 ft 3 /day, ft 3 /hr). Again, the checkmark indicates the
current units displayed in the Methane Production screen. You may select a different
1970
1971
1972
1973
1974
- 1975
1976
1977
1976
1979
1900
.iI._]
tons
I 10.0001
20.000
30.000
40.000
50.000
60.000
70.000
00.000
90.000
100,000
110.000
mmcf lyr
1.26
2.57
3.06
5.15
6.44
7.73
9.02
10.3
11.6
12.6
14.1
mmcf lyr
2.57
5.15
7.73
10.3
12.8
15.4
10.0
20.6
23.2
25.7
28.3
Figure 5V Methane icon
[ s ?1
Figure 52 Show Me
Button
ILT T l
Figure 54 Method menu
Ei: Ord!c Decay
anu Ent iy
Reet
ThOUsand cLE c teetiQay
C ic teet/ftour
WIP
30
Fnst
Order
K
Lo
Figure 55 Method
floating toolbar
Chapter 6
-------
algorithm and/or different units from this menu by clicking on the desired method. You
may reset to the original algorithm and default units by selecting Reset. Additionally,
you may graph the methane production by clicking on the graph button in the floatixg
toolbar. -
The three methods used to.analyze methane production are W]P-30, First Order Decay,
and Manual. These algorithms are described below:
WIP-30
The WIP-30 method uses the amount of waste in place over the past 30 years to estimate
methane emissions. The equations for small landfills (. 907,000 tons of waste in place)
and large landfffls (>907.000 tons of waste in place) in arid and non-arid regions are
outlined in the table below. Default characteristics for arid and non-arid regions are
described in Chapter 2. If this method is selected, the amount of waste in place for each
year may be edited in the first column of the Methane Production table.
WIP 3O
Equation
where W = waste in place that is less than 30 years old (106 tons),
Arid Regions
Small Landfills (< 907,000 tons of waste in place)
LFG = 18.56025 x (5.3253x10- 6 x W)
Large Landfills(> 907,000 tons of waste in place
LFG = 18.56025 x [ 8.22+(3.1298x10- 6 x W)]
Non-and Regions
Small Landfills
LFG = 18.56025 x (6.9492x10- 6 x W)
Large Landfills
LFG = 18.56025 x [ 8.22+(5 0259 xlO- 6 x W)]
First Order Decay
The First Order Decay method uses the waste in place as well as factors accounting for
the emission of methane from this waste over time. The first order decay is outlined in
the table below. If this method is selected, the amount of waste in place for each year may
be edited in the first column of the Methane Production table.
USEPA. 1993. Anthropogenic Methane Emissions in the United.States Estimates for 1990. Report to
Congress. EPA Office of Air and Radiation, Washington, DC. EPA 430-R-93-003, April 1993.
Chapter 6
-------
First Order Decay 5
Equation
QT 1 = kR L 0 e ” 1
where: = Cl -Li generated in the current year (T) by the waste R
x = the year of waste input
R = the amount of waste disposed in year x (Mg)
T = current year
Q-r = SQ r. 1 , for x = initial year to T
where Qr = total Cl-Li generated to the year (T) by the waste R
Assumptions
Component Units Default Value User can edit
Waste Cl-Li generation
potential (L ,)
m 3 /Mg of
refuse
2.0
Y
Rate of methane
generation (k)
1/yr
Dry: 0.02
Wet: 0.04
Y
If you choose to use the First Order Decay method you may wish to edit the two
coefficients used in this equation. The Methane Production Coefficients (Figure 56)
dialog box may be accessed by clicking on the K and Lo button in the floating toolbar.
Methane Production Coettucient:
Fiist aides Decay Model
NSPS/EGTieil
Calculation Factors
CH4 Generation Rate Constant (ki I 0040 1 0.05
CH4 Generation Potential cu. Ft per lb (Lo) I 2.01 21229
‘ % ence 2 Help 1
Figure 56: Methane Production Coefficients Dialog Box
The methane generation rate constant (k) and the methane generation potential (Lo) may
be edited in this screen if necessary. In addition, this dialog also displays the default EPA
coefficients used for the NMOC calculations. These coefficients are not editable.
NOTE: Revisiting the Landfill Characteristics dialog (page 9) and clicking the OK button will
reset the k values to the defaults depending on whether the landfill is located in an arid or non-arid
region.
You may exit the Methane Production Coefficients Dialog by clicking on the OK button.
Manual Method
The Manual method allows you to edit the amount of methane generated from the
landifil based on previous estimates that have been made. Both the annual waste in place
and methane emissions may be edited in the Methane Production table.
NOTE: This method should only be selected if you know the amount of methane being
produced.
5 USEPA. 1991. Air Emissions from Municipal Solid Waste Landfills - Background Information for
Standards and Guidelines. EPA Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, Research Triangle
Park, NC. EPA 450/3-90-Olla, March 1991.
Chapter 6
-------
You may exit the Methane Production Table double clicking in the upper left hand
corner or clicking on the close button in the floating toolbar.
Chapter 6
-------
Chapter 7. Analyzing the Costs and Benefits
After entering all of the information required under the Design menu and selecting the
methane production algorithm you may analyze the costs and benefits of the proposed
landfill gas recovery system. This chapter describes the analysis screens presented in
E-PLUS. These features may be accessed through the options under the Analysis menu
(Figure 57).
Environmental Benefits Figure 57 Analysis menu
The recovery of landfill gas results in reduced greenhouse gas emissions to the
atmosphere. The Environmental Benefits table categorizes these benefits for each year
over the lifetime of the project. The Environmental Benefits table may be viewed by
clicking the environment icon (Figure 58) or selecting Environmental Benefits from the 4
Analysis menu. Figure 58: Environment
The Environmental Benefits dialog should look similar to Figure 59 below:
Environmental Benelut: 9
Methane Emission Reduction (1000 Ions/pr) = Methane Generated X Collection Efficiency X
21.12 Ions/mmcf X 111000 tons
CH4FIeó. etion C0 Equuv Ient AcrdRairiBonus C02AvoidedbyElec. Prod SO2Avo4ded —
I 1000 ton I 1000 tons4 tom/yr
- 7155
1997 7&27
1998 79.00
- 1999 91.72
000 9172
2001 01.72
01.72
J_J
‘2 Help
Figure 59: Environmental Benefits Dialog Box
This table is read-only — it may not be edited. The following values are displayed for
each year:
• Methane reduction (1,000 tons/yr)
• Carbon dioxide reduction (1,000 tons/yr)
• Acid rain bonus
• Carbon dioxide emissions avoided by electricity production (tons/yr)
• Sulfur dioxide emissions avoided by electricity production (tons/yr)
• Carbon dioxide emissions avoided by gas sale (1,000 tons/yr)
The top part of the dialog box displays the equation used to calculate the values in each
of the columns in the table. For instance, if you click in the CH4 Reduction column, the
equation at the top of the dialog reads “Methane Emission Reduction (1,000 tons/yr) =
Methane Generated X Collection Efficiency X 21.12 tons/mmcf X 1/1,000 tons”. Similar
equations are presented for each of the additional columns.
nviTonment& Benehts
Ero,ec Evalu&ion
a:h flow Analysis
Whdtlf
Urrtn1ary Report
Chapter 7
-------
Click on the OK button to exit this screen.
Project Evaluation
q
Figure 6O Magnifying
Glass icon
Figure 62 Cashflow
Report icon
The Project Evaluation screen shows a quick look at the financial benefits of landfill gas
recovery. This screen may be viewed by clicking on the magnifying glass icon (Figure 60)
or selecting Project Evaluation from the Analysis menu.
The Project Financial Evaluation screen should look similar to Figure 61.
ITolal Capital Corts I
Amuat Benefits
Figure 61 Project Financial Evaluation Dialog Box
The following estimates are displayed in this screen:
• Total capital costs
• Annual benefits
• Annual operating costs
• NPV
• Simple payback
• NPV payback
• Approximate IRR
• Average Electricity Price ($/kWh) with inflation
• Average Gas Rate ($/MMBTU) with inflation
• Average Electricity Rate ($/kWh) base year
• Average Gas Rate ($/MMBTU) base year
Click on the OK button to exit this screen.
Cashf low Analysis
The Cash Flow Analysis shows the cost breakdown and cash flow associated with the
landfill gas recovery project. To view this analysis, click on the cashflow report icon
(Figure 62) on the tool bar or select Cash Flow Analysis from the Analysis menu.
A screen similar to Figure 63 is displayed.
• E-PLUS: PFO eCI Financial Evaluation RF
________________________________________ $1.51 4.53&O
$674.771.0
Amual Operating Corts $154.51a0
NPV $320.731.0
Simple Paybacl’ tyrs) 100
NFV Payback (yrsj 16
Approximate IRA (pctJ 18
Average Electricity Rate ($/kwh) . With Inflation $0.1 12
Average Gas Price t$/MMBTUJ -With Inflation $3 271
Average Electricity Rate ($/kwh). Base Year $0.080
Average Gas Price ($/MM8TU)-BaseYear $1 971
1 Hk/0K fl? I
Chapter 7
-------
Ca:h Flow Analy:i:
Paybacl’Jyr; )
NP/ 160
PaybacP(yr j
IRR(%j 180
I
I
t 1 ’
$321740.40 0o n Payment
$302,906 80
Simple
99999 Loan Amount
*1.211 $2720
Yea
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
B
9
10
11
Net Benefit
(*302308 79)
($116,629 72)
(*103.22303)
(*88.454 57)
(*74.076 53)
($58,375 68)
(*41 278 83)
*134,39721
$15899477
$18515968
*212.95528
*4fflR74f l
O&M Exp Loan P ment
$000 $0.00
$108,438 86 *214.438.82
*110.082.55 *214.43882
*113.728.25 *214.43882
*117.00557 $214,438.82
$120284 89 $21 4,43882
*123.58422 *214.43982
$160,565 12 *214.43882
$162,938 84 $214,438.82
*165,30856 $214,438.82
$167,680.28 *214,43882
il7flfl.c7flfl iflflfl
Depf Exp
$000
*151 45339
*151.45339
*151.453.39
*151.45339
*151.45339
$1 51.45339
*151.453.39
*151.45339
*151.45339
$151.45339
flflfl
Interert Exp
$000
*14539526
*137.11003
*127.83058
*117.43759
$1 05.79744
*92,76047
*78.15907
*61.80550
$4 ’3,489 51
*22.97559
virui
11 I
Tax Deductr
$403.28
$398.84
$393.01
$385.89
$377.53
$387.77
$390.17
$376.19
$39025
$342.10
si itt f!j ,iJ
Figure 63: Cash flow Analysis Table
This screen shows a year by year financial expense and benefit breakdown. The top part
of the screen shows a simple economic summary including the NPV, IRR, and yearly loan
payment. The most important value shown is the NPV as it is a simple indicator of
profitability. Any project with an NPV greater than or equal to zero should be profitable.
The bottom part of the screen shows the following expenses and benefits for each year
over the lifetime of the project:
• Net benefit
• O&M expense
• Loan payment
• Depreciation expense
• Interest expense
• Tax deduction
• Revenue
• Tax credit
• Taxes paid
This screen and these values may not be edited.
Exit this screen by double clicking in the upper left hand corner.
What If Analysis
The What If Analysis allows you to explore the cost and benefit results of changes to the
electricity and gas prices. This screen may be viewed by clicking on the what if icon
(Figure 64) or selecting What If from the Analysis menu.
The What If Analysis dialog pops up as shown in Figure 65 below:
A.
Figure 64 What If icon
Chapter 7
-------
ITo’a ico : I
$1.5145 40 $1.5145 40
$6747710 $6747710
$1545120 $1545120
$320731 0 $320731 0
100 100
16 18
18 18
$0112 $0112
$3 271 $3 271
$0080 $0080
$1 971 $1 971
These change,
Annual Beneht.s
Annual Operating Cc ts
NP%
Sirr le P bad ’ ( j
NP ’Payback irsJ
Approirinate IRR (pctl
erage Electncily Rate ($/kt. h) - With Inflation
Average 6a. Price I$/MMBTU) - W h Inflation
verage Electncity Rate f$ih h) - Base Year
Average Ga Price ($/MMBTU1 - Base Year
R Keep 6as Price Constant When Changing IRR
NOTE: Any changes being made are lot a sensitivity analysis.
will not be saved.
____ 1L.? I
Figure 65 tlThat If Analysis Dialog Box
The following estimates are displayed in this screen:
• Total capital costs
• Annual benefits
• Annual operating costs
• NPV
• Simple payback
• NPVpayback
• Approximate LRR
• Average Electricity Rate ($/kWh) with inflation
• Average Gas Rate ($/MMBI1J) with inflation
• Average Electricity Rate ($/kWh) base year
• Average Gas Rate ($/MMBTU) base year
There are two columns of estimates in this screen. The first column represents the
estimates using the data entered in the Design screens. The second column represents the
changed estimates based on any changes made in the cream colored boxes in this screen.
Only the average electricity rate (base year), average gas rate (base year), or IRR may be
changed by clicking in the corresponding cream colored boxes, deleting the current
value, and entering the new estimate.
If you enter a new JRR value you may select to keep the gas price estimate constant when
recalculating the costs and benefits. To keep the gas price constant, click in the box
labeled “Keep Gas Price Constant When Changing IRR”. If the gas price is kept constant,
the electricity rate will change to give the rate needed to achieve the desired IRR. If the
gas rate is not kept constant, the electricity rate is kept constant and the gas rate wifi
change to achieve this desired IRR.
To reset the IRR, electricity rate, and gas rate to the default values, click on the reset
button.
To exit this screen, click on OK.
NOTE: None of the changes made in this screen are saved in E-PLUS.
• What II Analysis
Chapter 7
-------
Summary Report
The E-PLUS Summary Report is a comprehensive report showing the potential results of
the defined landfill gas recovery project. The summary report may be accessed by Figure 66 Summary
clicking on the summary report icon (Figure 66) in the floating toolbar or selecting Report icon
Summary Report from the Analysis menu.
The Summary Report is displayed in the E-PLUS word processor. To save this file, select
Save as from the E-PLUS word processor’s File menu. The file is saved in rich text
format, a format compatible with any word processor.
The E-PLUS word processor may be closed by double clicking on the upper left hand
corner.
Note: Analyses performed using E-PLUS are considered preliminary and are to be used
for guidance only. It is imperative that a detailed final feasibility assessment be
conducted by qualified landfill gas recovery and utilization professionals prior to
preparing a design, initiating construction, purchasing materials, or entering into
agreements to provide or purchase energy from a landfill gas project.
Chapter 7
-------
Chapter 8. Adding, Deleting, Editing Landfill
Partners
The Partners menu (Figure 67) allows you to add, delete, and edit landfffl partners. This
chapter outlines the options contained within this menu.
Add Partner
To add a new Partner, select Add from the Partners menu or click on the add partner
icon (Figure 68) on the toolbar. The Partner Information Sheet pops up as shown in
Figure 69 below.
• E-PLIJS Paitnei Inlormation Sheet
Company Information
Cotposate Name
CEOs Fist Name
SIC Code
Num. Employees
Mailing Addiess
City
Phone
Implementation Manage,
First Name
Mailing Add,es =
City
Phone
II
I
I CEO: LastName l
I Natwe of Company z Business
I Num. Facilities
I
I
I
I
1) —
State L
FAX
tateL_.
FAX
jIzipI
zip_______
Vo 1 Xcancd1
Figure 69 Partner Information Sheet
In this screen, you should enter all of the information requested in the white boxes. You
may edit or delete a Partner if any of the information changes in the future (see below).
Click on OK to save and exit this screen.
To edit an existing Partner Information Sheet, select Edit from the Partners menu. The
first Partner’s Information Sheet is displayed. You may navigate through all available
Partner Information Sheets by clicking on the down arrow on your keyboard. You may
edit any of the information fields. When you are finished editing a Partner Information
Sheet, click on OK to exit and save.
Figure 67 Partners
menu
Figure 68: Add Partner
‘con
last Name
Edit Partner
Delete Partner
To delete an existing Partner, select Delete from the Partners menu. The first Partner’s
Information Sheet is displayed. You may navigate through all available Partner
Chapter 8
-------
Information Sheets by clicking on the down arrow on your keyboard. You may delete a
Partner Information Sheet by clicking on the OK button.
Chapter 8
-------
Chapter 9. Help and Other Features
E-PLUS contains help and other features which may assist you when using the program.
These features are described below.
The Help menu (Figure 70) provides information about E-PLUS’ features and options
through E-PLUS’ on-line Help system.
Checklist
Click on the checkmark icon (Figure 71) or select Checklist from the Help menu to see a
list of the E-PLUS Design screens which should be edited and viewed to ensure an
accurate analysis of the potential for landfill gas recovery. The Checklist dialog box looks
similar to Figure 72 below.
check LiSP
Search
about
Figure 70: Help menu
Figure 71 Checkma,k
icon
Figure 72. Checklist Screen
The critical steps involved in estimating landfill gas production and potential costs and
benefits from recovery are listed. Steps which have been completed are identified by the
word “Done”. Steps without “Done” should be completed before fully analyzing the
landfill gas recovery potential.
Click on OK to close this screen.
Search
The Search option is available to access the E-PLUS on-line help. The on-line help is
outlined in the same manner as this manual and provides basic help for each of the
screens in E-PLUS.
About
Select About from the Help menu to see information about your version of E-PLUS.
Help
• E-PLUS: Checkli:I
Landfill Chaiacte,iztics Done
Methane Production Estimates
Project Templates
Project Process Configuration Done
Financial Assumptions Done
I s /O K !
Chapter 9
-------
Window Options
— The Window menu (Figure 73) provides options for you to view the data in the
asc.ade document windows on your screen. The features provided in this menu allow you to
Ide - open, move, size, and arrange many document windows at one time. The basic controls
Arrar e cons which allow you to size and arrange the windows include restore, minimize, and
Close AU Windows
MinieizeW dow.- maximize. These controls are described below.
Best eAuWmdows When you restore a window, you change it to a previous or medium size which you can
Figure 73: Window then move, size, and close. To restore a maximized document window, click the
menu document Restore button in the upper-left hand corner of a maximized document
window or choose Restore from the document Control menu. The document Control
menu is the menu containing the commands that will open, close, maximize, minimize, or
restore a window. You can display the Control menu by clicking on the small rectangular
button in the upper left corner of a window or by pressing Alt+space bar. To restore a
minimized document, double-click on the document icon or click on a document icon to
open the Control menu and choose Restore. A document window is also restored (unless
it is minimized) when you tile or cascade windows.
When you minimize a window the window is reduced to an icon allowing you to keep
several documents open at the same time. To minimize a restored document, click the
minimize arrow (down arrow) in the upper-nght hand corner of the document window
or choose minimize from the document Control menu.
When you maximize a document window, the document enlarges to fill up the entire
document area. To maximize a restored document, click the maximize arrow (up arrow)
in the upper-right corner of the document window or double-click on the title bar. To
maximize a minimized document, click on a document icon to open the Control menu
and choose Maximize.
The Window menu on the menu bar of E-PLUS contains the following additional controls
which allow you to size and arrange the E-PLUS windows:
Cascade
When you have more than one document window open (but not minimized), you can
select Cascade from the Window menu or press Shift+F5 to restore and arrange the open
windows. Cascaded windows overlap so that the title bar of each window is displayed.
Click on the title bar to view a window’s contents.
Tile
When you have more than one document window open (but not minimized); you can
select Tile from the Window menu or press Shift+F4 to restore and arrange the open
windows. Tiled windows are arranged on the screen with no overlapping. To work on
one of the windows, click on the title bar of the desired window.
Arrange Icons
When you have one or more windows minimized to icons you may wish to arrange the
icons so that they are ordered and easy to view. To arrange the icons, select Arrange
Icons from the Windows menu.
Close All
To close all open windows, select Close All from the Window menu.
Chapter 9
-------
Minimize All
To minimize all open windows to icons, select Minimize All from the Window menu.
The minimized icons are displayed on the bottom of the screen.
Restore All
To restore all windows to the maximum size, select Restore All from the Window menu.
Chapter 9
-------
Chapter 10. Frequently Asked Questions
This chapter offers answers to frequently asked questions regarding E-PLUS.
What are the implications of the IRR Error?
An IRR Error may be detected before viewing the Project Financial Evaluation or the
What If Analysis. If you receive this message, E-PLUS has been unable to complete the
financial evaluation of your landfill gas recovery project. This could happen for one or
more of the following reasons:
1. No energy sales. Please make sure that electricity and/or gas is being sold and sold
at a non-zero price. For more information, see Electricity SaIes.or Gas Sales (see
pages 22 and 27, respectively).
2. IRR could not be computed. Under certain conditions the IRR of a cash flow cannot
be mathematically computed. Please focus on the NPV of the project rather than the
mR.
3. You have a negative IRR (displayed as 0). E-PLUS has calculated your IRR to be
negative. Under such conditions, E-PLUS is unable to do a complete financial
evaluation. Please focus on the NPV of the project rather than the IRR.
A project should be considered feasible if its NPV is greater than or equal to zero. Under
conditions 2 and 3 listed above, a good way to re-evaluate the project is to exclude
collection and flaring costs. For most landfills these costs would have to be incurred
irrespective of the existence of an energy recovery system. See Project/Financial Factors
(page 12) for more details.
What is an unresolved energy flow?
Unresolved energy flows occur under two conditions:
1. When a landfill gas stage other than a terminal stage (Flare, Electricity Sales, Gas
Sales) is not followed by another landfill gas stage.
2. When a landfill gas stage is receiving more gas than its designed capacity.
Unresolved flows may be marked by a black process stage in the landfill Process
Configuration window. All financial calculations will trigger an E-PLUS Messenger
window with an error notification. E-PLUS assumes that all gas flows are completely
consumed. Therefore, the process configuration for the landfffl gas recovery project must
k complete (i.e., the project configuration should include energy sales, flaring, or a
combination of the previous two).
To solve for unresolved energy flows you may attempt one or more of the following:
• If the error occurs due to the absence of a terminal stage, add stages as needed using
the Add Stage feature in the Process Configuration screen (see page 13).
• If the error occurs because a landfill gas stage is receiving more gas than its designed
capacity, the following steps may be taken:
1. Edit the stage(s) with unresolved energy flows to reduce the designed capacity.
This may be accomplished using the Define Stage option in the Process
Configuration screen (see page 14).
2. Edit the Split Gas stage preceding the stage with the unresolved energy flow to
reduce the amount of gas assigned to the unresolved stage. If a Split Gas stage
does not exist, you will need to insert one before the unresolved stage. Upon
insertion you will also need to add a Flare stage (or some other stage) to the Split
Chapter 10
-------
Gas stage. For more details, see Insert Stage and Add Stage on pages 14 and 13,
respectively. Following the insertion of the Split Gas stage and the associated
stage(s), you should reallocate the gas flows as necessary.
How do I enter Total Costs or Rule of Thumb Costs
instead of Detailed Line Item Costs?
If the detailed component costs for a stage are unknown, but the total cost per unit (Rule
of Thumb) is known, the Stage Costs table may be edited to reflect this. For example, if
you know that on average the total cost of an engine generator system is $1,250/kW
capacity but you do not know how this total breaks into the component costs for the
engine, fuel line, radiator, control system, and installation costs, you may alter the table to
input only the $1,250 value. The default Stage Costs table for Electricity Generation is
shown in Figure 48. In this table, the total cost per kW capacity for Electricity Generation
is $450 (IC High Engine) + $50 (fuel line) + $50 (radiator) $100 (control system) + $600
(installation) for a total of $1,250.
Figure 74: Sample Electricity Generation Costs
To enter the Rule of Thumb total cost of $1,250 you should first zero out all of the costs
per kW capacity that are used to calculate the total Electricity Generation costs (in this
case, the IC High (pressure) Engine, fuel line, radiator, control system, and installation
costs). Then, in any one of the cream colored cells with a per kW capacity unit, you
should enter 1,250. An altered cost table may look like Figure 49 below:
Item
L
IC High Engine
Generator
Generator
Generator
Generator
Fuel Line Costs
Radiator Costs
Control System Costs
Electricity Generation Variable 0&M
Electricity Generation Fixed 0&M
Electricity Generation lnstahtion
Electricity Generation Capital
Electricity Generation 0&M
Cost i Units
$45000 per kW capacity
$45000 per kW capacity
$45000 per kW capacity
$45000 per kW capacity
$45000 per kW capacity
$5000 per kW capacity
$5000 per kW capacity
$10000 per kW capacity
$10 00 per MWh/year
$75,000 00 per MW capacity
$600 00 per kW capacity
$1 .322.097.18
$1 67 .65a58
Quantity
1.05767 -
0.00
000
1100
0.00
1 .057.67
1,057.67
1 .05767
9,265.25
1 05
1,057.67
Total
8475 .95497
$000
$000
$000
$000
852.88388
$52 , 88a88
8105.76777
$92,652 56
879.32582
$634,606 63
Chapter 10
-------
Figure 75 Altered Electncity Generation Costs Table
Note that in this example the total cost of $1,250/kW capacity was entered in the IC High
Engine row. Note that all of the cells which have been changed from the default values
are shown with red text. AU of the costs may be reset to the default by clicking on the
reset button (Figure 50) in the Stage Costs floating toolbar.
Figure 76: Reset button
_____- - Item - Cost ‘ - Units Quantityj Total
I C. High Engine $1,251) 00 per kW capacity L057 67 $1,322,097 16
Generator 450 001 pet kW capacity 000 $000
Generator $450 GUi per kW capacity 000 $000
Generator $451) 00 per kW capacity 000 $1100
Generator - $450001 pet kW capacity 000 $000
Fuel Line Costs $0 00 per kW capacity 1.05767 $000
Radiator Costs $000 per kW capacity 1.05767 $000
Control System Costs $000] per kW capacity 1.05767 - $000
Electricity Generation Variable 0&M $10 per MWh/year 926525 $92,652 56
Electricity Generation Fixed 0&M $75,000 001 per MW capacity 105 $79,325 82
Electricity Generation Installation - - $000 ’ per kW capacity 1,057.67 - $0.00
Electricity Generation Capital $1,322,097 16
Electricity Generation O&M $1 67.65256
Chapter 10
-------
Appendix A: Default Landfill Gas Component
Costs
Each of the landfill gas recovery stages with the exception of Split Gas, Gas Sales, and
Electricity Sales has associated costs which are used in the financial evaluation of the
landfill gas recovery project. This appendix lists the default cost values for each of these
con Iponents.
Collection Costs
CAPITAL CosTs
Component
Default Unit Cost
User can edit
Wells -
$80 / foot of depth
Y
Wellheads
$750 / unit
Y
Piping (main & branch)
$35 / linear foot
Y
Blowers
$20 / ft3 1mm
Y
Condensate knockout
$8,000 / unit
Y
Monitoring system
$1,000 / unit
Y
Collection system installation and other costs
$0
Y
O&M CosTs
Component
Default Unit Cost Jilser can edit
$1,000 / well /yr Y
Collection system variable O&M
Collection system fixed O&M
Not yet determined
Y
Default values hsted above include mstallation costs You may adjust any of these costs as needed
Compression_Costs
CAPITAL CosTs
Component
Default Unit Cost
User can edit
Compressor
$1,350 / horsepower
Y
Compressor system installation and other costs”
$0
Y
O&M CosTs
Component
Default Unit Cost
User can edit
Compression system variable O&M
$12,000 / unit / yr
Y
Compression system fixed O&M
Not yet determined
Y
Default values listed above include installation costs You may adjust any of these costs as needed
Appendix A
-------
Electricity_Generation Costs
CAPITAL COSTS
Component
Default Unit Cost
User can edit
IC engine-generator (low & high pressure)
$450 / kW capacity
Y
Turbine-generator
$450 / kW capacity
Y
Fuel line costs
$50 / kW capacity
Y
Radiator costs
$50 / kW capacity
Y
Control system costs
$150 / kW capacity
Y
Electricity generation installation and other costs
$400 / kW capacity
Y
O&M CosTs
Component
Default Unit Cost
User can edit
Electricity generation variable O&M
$10 / MWh - year
Y
Electricity Generation Fixed O&M $75,000 / MW capacity /year Y
Other costs indude project soft costs such as development, design, financing, building, and site
improvements
Flare Costs
CAPITAL COSTS
Component
Default Unit Cost
User can edit
Flare
$75,000 / unit
Y
Flare installation and other costs ’
$0
Y
O&M CosTs
Component Default Unit Cost
User can edit
Flare system variable O&M
Not yet determined
Y
Flare system fixed O&M
$2,000 / year
Y
Default values listed above include installation costs You may adjust any of these costs as needed
Gas Enrichment Costs
CAPITAL COSTS
Component
Default Unit Cost
User can edit
Gas Enrichment Component
Not yet determined
Y
Gas Enrichmenl installation and other costs ’
Not yet determined
Y
O&M CoSTS
Component
Default Unit Cost
User can edit
Gas Enrichment system variable O&M
Not yet determined
Y
Gas Enrichment system fixed O&M
Not yet determined
Y
Other Costs include any other capital expenditures
Appendix A
-------
Gas Conditioning/Treatment Costs
CAPITAL COSTS
Component
Default Unit Cost
User can edit
Scrubber
$15 / ff3 / mm -
Y
Dessicator
$10 / ff3 / mm
Y
Refrigeration
$60 / ff3 / mm
Y
Filters
$3,200 / unit
Y
Gas treatment installation and other costs
$15 / ft3/ mm
Y
O&M COSTS
Component j
Default Unit Cost
User can edit
Gas treatment variable O&M
$250 / million ff3 / yr
Y
Gas treatment fixed O&M
$10,000 / yr
Y
- Other Costs include any other capital expenditures.
Interconnect Costs
CAPITAL CosTs
Component
Default Unit Cost
User can edit
Substation cost
$60 / kW
Y
Engine wiring cost
$45 / foot
Y
Intertie wiring cost
$60 / foot
Y
Substation telemetry cost
$10,000 / unit
Y
Protective relays cost
$10 / kW
Y
System disconnect cost
$20 / kW
Y
Interconnect installation and other costs
$20 / kW
Y
O&M CosTs
Component
Default Unit Cost
User can edit
Inter connect variable O&M
$020 / MWh / yr
Y
Inter connect fixed O&M
$2,000 / yr
Y
Other Costs include any other capital expenditures
Component
Default Unit Cost
User can edit
Pipeline Pipe Costs
$35 / foot
Y
Pipeline installation and other costs
Not yet determined
Y
O&M CosTs
Component
Default Unit Cost
User can edit
Pipelme variable O&M
Not yet determined
Y
Pipeline fixed O&M
Not yet determined
Y
Pipeline Costs
CAPITAL COSTS
Other Costs mndude other capital expenditures and user costs (new boiler, modifications, controls, etc.) - -
Appendix A
-------
Appendix B: Glossary
Acid Rain Bonus: Under Title 1V of the Clean Air Act (the EPA Acid Rain Program), the
Conservation and Renewable Energy Reserve (CRER) allocates a pooi of S02
allowances for renewable energy technologies. These “Acid Rain Bonus Allowances”
are available to utilities for landfill energy recovery projects, at the rate of one for
every 500 MWh/yr generated (i.e., one for every 0.5 GWh/yr generated). The bonus
allowances can be earned each year between 1994 and 2000 by applying to the CRER.
Annual Acceptance Rate: The amount of waste received and landfilled for a reported
year, including all waste types, in short tons (tons).
BTU: British Thermal Unit (BTU) is a measure of the heat content. One BTU is the
amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one
degree Fahrenheit.
Collection Efficiency: The efficiency of the gas collection system, expressed in percent.
The efficiency will be less than 100 percent due to a number of potential factors,
including: poor well placement and air infiltration through the landfill cover, the
wellhead, or lateral pipe connections. Collection efficiency can range from 50 percent
or lower at existing landfills to 95 percent at newer, well-designed landfills.
Depreciation Method: The method used to calculate the decreased value of the landfill
gas recovery project. The E-PLUS depreciation methods include: DDB, Straight-
Line, and SYD.
DDB Depreciation: Double declining balance (DDB) depreciation is an accelerated
depreciation method in which first year depreciation is double the amount of
straight-line depreciation.
Downpayment The initial amount paid at the time of purchase or construction
expressed as a percent of the total initial cost.
Discount rate: The interest rate used to convert future payments into present values.
EG: Emissions Guidelines.
First Order Decay: A method of estimating methane emissions from landfills based on
the fact that methane is emitted over a long period of time rather than
instantaneously. The first order decay equation is: Q = Lo R ( e - e t) where Q =
methane generated in current year (m 3 /yr); Lo = methane generation potential
(m 3 /Mg of refuse); R = average annual waste acceptance rate during active life
(Mg/yr); k = methane generation constant (yr’); c = time since landfill closure (yr);
and t = time since landfill opened (yr).
Gas Enrichment Capacity: The flow rate in mcf/day of the landfill gas outflow from the
gas enrichment stage.
Greenhouse gas: An atmospheric gas which is transparent to incoming solar radiation
but absorbs the infrared radiation emitted by the Earth’s surface. The principal
anthropogenic greenhouse gases are carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and
CFCs.
Inflation Rate: The annual rate of increase in costs or sales prices in percent.
Internal Rate of Return (IRR): The discount rate which makes the NPV of an income
stream equal to zero.
Kilowatt (kW): One kilowatt (kW) is equal to 1,000 watts or the absolute meter kilogram
per second unit of power equal to the work done at the rate of one absolute joule per
Appendix B
-------
second or to the rate of work represented by a current of one ampere under a
pressure of one volt and taken as the standard in the United States.
Kilowatt Hour (kWh): A unit of work or energy equal to that expended by one kilowatt
in one hour or to 3.6 million joules.
Loan Rate: The percent of the total loan amount paid per year.
Manual Entry: The Manual option in the Methane Production screen allows you to edit
both the total waste and the methane produced for each year during the methane
project lifetime. This option should only be selected if you know the actual amount
of methane being produced.
Marginal Tax Rate: The percent of the landfill gas recovery project net income to be paid
in taxes.
Methane: A colorless, odorless, flammable gaseous hydrocarbon that is a product of the
decomposition of organic matter. Methane is a major greenhouse gas.
Methane Gain/Loss Efficiency: The gain or loss in total mass of methane during the gas
enrichment stage. 100% gain/loss means that the total mass of methane has
remained the same throughout the stage. 80% means that the total mass of methane
has decreased by 20%.
MSW: Municipal Solid Waste.
Net Present Value (NPV): The present value of all cash inflows and outflows of a project
at a given discount rate over the life of the project.
NMOC: Non Methane Organic Compounds. The amount of NMOC emissions
determine whether a landfill triggers the Tier 1 NSPS/EG calculations. If the landfill
emits more than 50 megagrarns of NMOC per year, the Tier 1 NSPS/EG calculations
are triggered. -
NPV Payback: The number of years it takes to pay back the capital cost of a project
calculated with discounted future revenues and costs. Profitable projects will have
an NPV Payback value less than or equal to the lifetime of the project.
NSPS: New Source Performance Standards.
Payback Years: The number of years it takes to pay back the capital cost of a project.
Project Lifetime: The period of time during which the project is installed and operated.
Section 29 Tax Credit: The Section 29 Biomass Gas Credit is a credit of $3.00 per 5.8
million BTUs. This tax credit is applicable to the production and sale of synthetic
fuels from coal or gas from biomass (i.e., thermal or combustion type gasifiers,
landfill gas facilities, and anaerobic digesters) to an unrelated party.
Simple Payback: The number of years it takes to pay back the capital cost of a project
calculated without discounting future revenues or costs.
Straight-Line Depreciation: Depreciation per year equals the total facility cost divided
by the years of depreciation (usually the facility lifetime).
SYD Depreciation: Sum of Years Digits (SYD) is a common accelerated depreciation
method where the sum of the digits is the total of the numbers representing the years
of depreciation (usually the facility lifetime).
WIP: Waste In Place. The total amount of waste that has been landfilled since the
landfill opened. -
WIP-30: An algorithm for estimating the amount of methane produced based on the
amount of waste in place over the past 30 years.
11.1 Appendix B
-------
Index
A
Absolute Pressure 7
Acid Rain Bonus
Definition 63
Add Partner 49
Add Stage. 13
Analysis . 43
Analysis menu 43
Cashflow Analysis 44
Environmental Benehts 43
Project Evaluation 44
Summary Report -47
What If Analysis . 45
Annual Acceptance Rate
Definition . 63
B -
Boyle’s Law . 7
Brthsh Thermal Unit
Definition 63
BTU
Definition 63
C
Cashflow A talysis .44
Clear Stage. 15
Collection Costs 59
Collection Efficiency
Definition 63
Collection Stage . 17
Compression Costs 59
Compression Stage 19
D
DDB Depreciation
DefinitionS 63
Default Costs . 59
Collection Costs . 59
Compression Costs 59
Electricity Generation Costs 60
Flare Costs 60
Gas Conditioning/Treatment Costs 61
Gas Enrichment Costs 6O
- Interconnect Costs . 61
Pipeline Costs. 61
Default Landfill Gas Component Costs 59
Define Stage 14
Defining Stage Costs 15,35
Delete Partner . 49
Depreciation Method
Defu -ution 63
Design Menu 9
Landfill Characteristics 9
Process Configuration 13
Project Templates . 11
Project/Financial Factors - 12
Detailed Line Item Costs : 56
Discount rate
Definition 63
Downpayment
Definition 63
E
Edit Partner 49
Electricity Generation Costs . 60
Electricity Generation Stage 20
Electricity Sales Stage 22
Electricity Supply and Demand 23
Energy Price .5
Entering/Editing Stage Cost Components.
35
Environmental Benefits . 43
E-PLUS Interview 3
Energy Price 5
Financial Assumptions 4
Landfill Characteristics . 4
NSPS/EG Tier 1 Evaluation 4
Optional Step Through Project
Configuration 5
Project Templates . 4
Quick Financial Report .5
F
Financial Assumptions 4
First Order Decay 40
Definition . 63
Flare Costs 60
Flare Stage. 25
Frequently Asked Questions 55
Entering Costs. 56
IRR Error . 55
Unresolved Energy Flow .55
G
Gas Conditioning/Treatment Costs . 61
Gas Enrichment Capacity
Definition . 63
Index
-------
Gas Enrichment Costs 60
Gas Enrichment Stage 26
Gas Sales Stage 27
Gas Supply and Demand 27
Gas Treatment Stage . 29
Gauge PressureS 7
General Landfill and Landfill Gas
Assumptions. 7
Greenhouse gas
Definition 63
H
Gas Enrichment 26
Gas Sales 27
Gas Treatment • 29
Interconnect 30
Pipeline 31
Split Gas 32
Landfill Partners . 49
Add Partner 49
Delete Partner 49
Edit Partner 49
Loan Rate
Definition 64
Heating value 7
Help . 51
About .51
Checkhst 51
Search . 51
Help menu 51
Inflation Rate
Definition 63
Insert Stage. 14
Installation Instructions I
Installing the E-PLUS Software. 1
Interconnect Costs . 61
Interconnect Stage 30
Internal Rate of Return
Definition 63
IntroductionS 1
IRR
Definition 63
IRR Error . 55
M
Manual Entry
Definition 64
Marginal Tax Rate
Definition 64
Methane
Definition. 64
Methane Gain/Loss Efficiency
Definition 64 -
Methane Menu 39
Methane Production . 39
Methane Production Coefficients 41
Method Menu .39
MSW
Definition 64
N
Net Present Value
Definition . 64
NMOC
Definition .64
Non Methane Organic Compounds
Definition 64
NPV
Definition 64
NPV Payback
Definition . 64
NSPS
Definition 64
NSPS/EG Tier 1 Evaluation 4
Payback Years
Definition .64
Pipeline Costs 61
Pipeline Stage. 31
Process Configuration. 13
I
K
Kilowatt
Definition 63
Kilowatt Hour
Definition 64
kW’
Definition. 63
kwh
Definition 64
0
Other Features of E-PLUS .51
L
Landfill Characteristics . 4,9
Landfill Design. 9
Landfill Gas Recovery Components . 17
Collection. 17
Compression 19
Electricity Generation 20
Electricity Sales •22
Flare 25
P
Index
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Project Configuration 5
Project Evaluation 44
Project Lifetime
Definition 64
Project Tem 1ates 4, 11
Project/Financial Factors 12
Rotate Image. 16
Stage Costs 15
Straight-Line Depreciation
Definition 64
Summary Report 47
SYD Depreciation
Definition 64
Q
Quick Financial Report 5
R
Recommended Eqwpment I
Required Equipment. I
Rotate Image. 16
Rule of Thumb 36
Rule of Thumb Costs 56
Rule of Thumb Versus Detailed Component
Costs 36
S
Section 29 Tax Credit
Definition 64
Set kWh Demand . 24,29
Simple Payback
Definition: 64
Split Gas Stage . 32
Stage Costs 15
Stage Details MenuS 13
Add Stage. 13
Clear Stage. 15
Define Stage. 14
Insert Stage. 14
T
The E-PLUS Package. 1
Total Costs. 56
U
Unresolved Energy Flow 55
w
Waste In Place
Definition 64
What If Analysis . 45
Window 52
Arrange Icons 52
Cascade . 52
Close All . 52
Minimize All . 53
Restore All . 53
Tile 52
Window menu . 52
WIP
Definition •64
WIP-30 .40
Definition 64
Index
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