The Facts About Containment Blades

Landfill operators' most common question is: how are containment blades broken down? To know what goes on with them, you need to know the facts about this equipment. We will discuss the process involved in dismantling these blades, the Infrared radiation they emit, and the chemicals used. We will also discuss the methane that is released from landfills. Hopefully, this information will help you make an informed decision about containment blades.

Dismantling Containment Blades

A process for dismantling containment blades is based on the principle of a notch in the holding element. The opening is sized to allow passage of the mobile blade of a high-pressure turbine. It is preferably sized to allow a single blade to pass through. A notch is designed to prevent blades from falling through the holding element so that the operator can partially extract the edges from cells.

There are several methods of dismantling containment blades. The techniques used for dismantling containment blades are based on the components' size, the surrounding environment's complexity, and the target objectives. They should be effective in producing minimal secondary waste and be cost-efficient. 

Infrared Radiation

Infrared is a type of spectral radiation. Its wavelength is longer than visible light and can pass through regions of space that are densely filled with dust and gas. Scientists can use infrared energy to see objects in the universe that are otherwise invisible to optical telescopes. The James Webb Space Telescope is equipped with three infrared instruments that help scientists learn about the origins of the universe and the formation of galaxies and stars.

Infrared radiation has wavelengths that range from 700 nanometers to one millimeter. These waves are higher than visible light and radio waves and have two to four hundred terahertz frequencies. Near-IR light is the closest wavelength to visible light and has the lowest temperature, resulting in little or no heat. However, this wavelength is a concern in the face of global warming because it is considered a 'hot' wavelength.

Chemicals Used

The chemical agents used in containment blades can range from hydrocarbons to various other materials, and the kinetic energy of the released blade portion 102 is 138,500 ft-lbs. Depending on the containment system configuration, an engineering factor of up to 2.0 may be used. As an example, the minimum engineered containment thickness is 0.650 inches. Once this thickness has been reached, the remaining containment blades will move in an increased orbit around the shaft 20 axis, penetrate the rub strip 52, and pass through the shallow depression.

The blade containment system has a plurality of circumferentially segmented panels 56 that are disposed about an interior surface 50 of the casing. Each panel includes a radially outward-facing ramp and is disposed of adjacent to an adjacent panel. The meetings are disposed of about the interior surface of the casing and are connected to an inlet structure 62. During a spill, the containment blades will be closed, and a protective barrier will be created.

Methane Released From Landfills

Methane is a byproduct of decomposing organic materials. Gas is a powerful source of power and profit. It can generate electricity, power plants, and heat and cool buildings. The methane from landfills is also valuable for power production. Rising natural gas prices will increase the value of landfill gas refinement. The methane from landfills can also close landfills to new waste streams.

A method for monitoring the amount of methane released from landfills has been developed through infrared (IR) cameras. These cameras are adapted from those used in the oil and gas industry. They can be handheld, mounted, or drone-mounted. IR cameras are helpful for monitoring landfills where personnel cannot access the site. However, these methods do not accurately pinpoint methane emission sources.