Landfill Instrumentation and Process Control Solutions

Why it matters: Stable wellfield operation improves collection efficiency, reduces air intrusion risk, and supports compliance documentation.

Typical measurements:

• Vacuum/pressure at wellheads and headers
• Flow indication/trending per zone or header
• Gas composition trends (CH₄/CO₂/O₂)
• Temperature at key points (helps interpret process changes and equipment performance)

Common pitfalls we design around:

• Wet gas and condensation affecting sensors
• Plugging/contamination and maintenance access constraints
• Seasonal and operational variability (big swings in flow and composition)

Relevant product categories:

• Flow: https://www.clippercontrols.com/products/flow-instrumentation
• Pressure: https://www.clippercontrols.com/products/pressure-instrumentation
• Analyzers: https://www.clippercontrols.com/products/analyzers
• Temperature: https://www.clippercontrols.com/products/temperature-instrumentation

Why it matters: Wet LFG is notorious for sensor fouling, drift, and unstable readings—especially when condensate is present and flow turndown is high.

Approach options (selection guidance):

• Thermal mass: strong for mass flow applications; requires attention to wet gas realities
• Ultrasonic: can be effective when installed correctly and conditions support stable signal
• Differential/other approaches: useful when constraints or piping conditions demand alternatives

Design best practices we can help with:

• Managing condensate (knockouts, slope/low-point strategy, drainage, insulation/heat tracing where appropriate)
• Choosing insertion vs inline based on accessibility and maintenance
• Aligning meter choice with turndown, pipe size, and gas conditions

Relevant product categories:

Flow: https://www.clippercontrols.com/products/flow-instrumentation

Flare gas flow: https://www.clippercontrols.com/product/flow-instrumentation/flare-gas-meters

Why it matters: Flare systems are a compliance and safety focal point. Reliable measurement supports documentation, alarming, and operating stability.

Typical measurements and signals:

• Flow and pressure to/from flare equipment
• Temperature where needed for operational insight
• Flame presence/verification
• Discrete status/alarm signals into PLC/SCADA

What we add beyond “a sensor list”:

• Signal reliability strategy (isolation, surge protection, conversions)
• Instrument selection for harsh outdoor conditions and serviceability

Relevant product categories:

Gas/Flame/Leak: https://www.clippercontrols.com/products/gas-flame-leak-detectors

Signal interface: https://www.clippercontrols.com/products/signal-interface

Displays: https://www.clippercontrols.com/products/instrumentation-displays

Shelters: https://www.clippercontrols.com/products/equipment-shelters

Why it matters: RNG uptime is money. Skid reliability depends on stable measurement, trending, and protecting rotating equipment from failure.

Typical measurement chain:

• Inlet/outlet pressure and temperature
• Flow measurement at key points
• Gas quality and process indicators via analyzers
• Moisture monitoring/dehydration performance verification (application-dependent)

Reliability focus (often overlooked):

• Compressor/blower protection with vibration and temperature monitoring
• Practical outputs (4–20 mA, discrete alarms, Modbus where needed) for SCADA/PLC

Relevant product categories:

Analyzers: https://www.clippercontrols.com/products/analyzers

Moisture: https://www.clippercontrols.com/products/moisture-instrumentation

Flow: https://www.clippercontrols.com/products/flow-instrumentation

Pressure: https://www.clippercontrols.com/products/pressure-instrumentation

Temperature: https://www.clippercontrols.com/products/temperature-instrumentation

Vibration (Metrix): https://www.clippercontrols.com/products/vibration-monitoring-equipment

Why it matters: Leachate systems demand reliable alarming and control under messy, real-world conditions.

Typical measurements:

• High/high-high alarms for overflow prevention
• Pump control points and run status feedback
• Continuous level measurement where appropriate
• Pressure monitoring to support pump health and control logic

Common pitfalls we help avoid:

• Fouling and buildup causing false alarms
• Poor installation leading to frequent maintenance
• Not designing for serviceability (access, cleaning, replacement)

Relevant product categories:

Level: https://www.clippercontrols.com/products/level-instrumentation

Pressure: https://www.clippercontrols.com/products/pressure-instrumentation

Control: https://www.clippercontrols.com/products/control

Why it matters: When a storm hits, you don’t want to “wish you had better data.” Automated sampling and flow measurement can reduce manual labor and improve defensibility of records.

Common station types:

• Time-based sampling (simple schedules)
• Flow-paced composite sampling (more representative when discharge varies)
• Event triggers (rainfall, level, flow threshold)

Remote-site realities:

• Power options (battery/solar where applicable)
• Outdoor protection and enclosure strategy
• Telemetry/SCADA integration

Relevant product categories:

Samplers: https://www.clippercontrols.com/products/automatic-water-samplers

Flow: https://www.clippercontrols.com/products/flow-instrumentation

Shelters: https://www.clippercontrols.com/products/equipment-shelters

Power: https://www.clippercontrols.com/products/power-monitoring

Why it matters: Landfills often need monitoring strategies for worker safety, perimeter risk management, and process awareness.

Typical monitoring goals:

• Methane (LEL) monitoring in critical areas
• H₂S and other hazardous gases where applicable
• O₂ deficiency monitoring in confined spaces or enclosed areas
• Alarm routing and status indication

Relevant product categories:

Gas/Flame/Leak: https://www.clippercontrols.com/products/gas-flame-leak-detectors

Signal interface: https://www.clippercontrols.com/products/signal-interface

Displays: https://www.clippercontrols.com/products/instrumentation-displays

Why it matters: Blowers, compressors, pumps, and engines are the heartbeat of landfill gas and RNG operations. Vibration monitoring helps prevent catastrophic failures and reduces unplanned downtime.

Where vibration monitoring fits best:

• Blower stations (GCCS)
• RNG compression skids
• Leachate pumps and critical rotating utilities
• Generator sets and balance-of-plant rotating assets

Two common strategies:

• Protection (shutdown/alarms): vibration switches and protective logic for immediate action
• Condition monitoring (trend-based): vibration transmitters feeding SCADA/PLC for early warning

What “SCADA-friendly” looks like:

• 4–20 mA vibration signals and clear alarm thresholds
• Simple, maintainable installation guidance
• Pairing vibration with temperature/pressure signals for better diagnostics

Relevant product categories:

Vibration: https://www.clippercontrols.com/products/vibration-monitoring-equipment

Temperature: https://www.clippercontrols.com/products/temperature-instrumentation

Pressure: https://www.clippercontrols.com/products/pressure-instrumentation

Why it matters: Landfills are often remote, electrically noisy, and exposed. Signal reliability is a real engineering problem—not a footnote.

Common needs:

• 4–20 mA isolation and protection
• Signal conversion (protocol/format)
• Surge protection / grounding strategy support
• Local display/panel indication for operators and technicians
• Outdoor installation planning (panels, shelters, service access)

Relevant product categories:

Signal interface: https://www.clippercontrols.com/products/signal-interface

Displays: https://www.clippercontrols.com/products/instrumentation-displays

Shelters: https://www.clippercontrols.com/products/equipment-shelters

Control: https://www.clippercontrols.com/products/control