Norwegian waste treatment company Lindum Ressurs og Gjenvinning is using thermal imaging cameras to help identify methane leaks from its landfill sites.
The methane gas produced is extracted and used for power production and residential heating. Methane is an odourless, environmentally harmful gas created as a result of pressure formed in the landfill. However, the landfill also discharges hydrogen sulphide (H2S) a smelly gas that at times has annoyed surrounding residential areas. The landfill, with a surface of approximately 10 hectares, is inspected twice a week at dawn for about one hour.
Lindum Ressurs og Gjenvinning is now using the Flir GF320 thermal camera to identify gas leaks, visualised as black or white plumes. Landfill workers then cover the leaks with clay to neutralise the sulphide odours. The GF320 is also used for inspection of the bio-gas production piping on a weekly basis. According to Flir, Lindum has made estimated savings of more than €12,000 per year and has been able to reduce the foul odour nuisance of H2S.
