Treatment of landfill gas

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method of abating hydrogen sulfide gas emitted by or generated in landfills. Certain embodiments of the present invention relate to contacting hydrogen sulfide gas with Fuller's earth or other carrier materials and metals such as silver, copper, iron, zinc or mixtures thereof, and other components.

1 . A composition for abating hydrogen sulfide emissions comprising: a combination of a metal compound of the general formula Me x (SO y ) y  or Me x (NO 3 ) y  and a carrier metal compound, formulated to eliminate at least 0.01 grams of H 2 S per gram of composition.  
   
   
       2 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the metal compound comprises Fuller's earth.  
   
   
       3 . The composition of  claim 1  further comprising a fragrance, a benzaldehyde, citronella, eucalyptus and water.  
   
   
       4 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the carrier metal compound is silver nitrate or silver nitrate solution.  
   
   
       5 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the carrier metal compound is ferric sulfate or ferric sulfate solution.  
   
   
       6 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the carrier metal compound is copper sulfate or copper sulfate solution.  
   
   
       7 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the carrier metal compound is a mixture of silver nitrate and zinc sulfate solutions.  
   
   
       8 . The composition of  claim 2 , wherein the Fuller's earth is comprised of magnesium silicate, aluminum silicate or combinations thereof.  
   
   
       9 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the carrier metal compound is present in the composition in an amount from about 1 ppm to about 5,000 ppm.  
   
   
       10 . The composition of  claim 2 , wherein the Fuller's earth is present in an amount from about 70% wt. to about 85% wt.  
   
   
       11 . The composition of  claim 3 , wherein the fragrance is present in an amount from about 1% wt. to about 2% wt.  
   
   
       12 . The composition of  claim 3 , wherein the benzaldehyde is present in an amount from about 1% wt. to 4% wt.  
   
   
       13 . A method of reducing landfill gas, comprising mixing a composition formed by combining a metal compound of the general formula Me x (SO y ) y  or Me x (NO 3 ) y  and a carrier medtal compound formulated to eliminate at least 0.01 grams of H 2 S per gram of composition with landfill material and applying the mixture to the surface of a landfill.  
   
   
       14 . A method of reducing landfill gas, comprising applying a layer of a composition formed by combining a metal compound of the general formula Me x (SO y ) y  or Me x (NO 3 ) y  and a carrier metal compound formulated to eliminate at least 0.01 grams of H 2 S per gram of composition on the surface of a landfill, wherein said layer has a minimum average thickness of 2 cm.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the layer comprises at least about 65 tons of the composition per acre of landfill.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the layer comprises from about 65 tons to 75 tons of the composition per acre of landfill.