Landfill gas extraction control system

A method for controlling extraction of landfill gas from a landfill through a gas extraction system, wherein the landfill gas has a first temperature when extracted, the method comprising:

• obtaining a sample of landfill gas in a gas composition chamber;
• heating the landfill gas sample in the gas composition chamber to at least a threshold amount greater than the first temperature;
• obtaining a measurement of a temperature of the landfill gas sample in the gas composition chamber after the landfill gas sample is heated;
• determining, after the landfill gas sample is heated, whether the temperature of the landfill gas sample is at least the threshold amount greater than the first temperature;
• and
• controlling, based on results of the determining, at least one sensor to measure one or more characteristics of the landfill gas sample in the gas composition chamber.

A control system for controlling extraction of landfill gas from a landfill via a gas extraction system, the gas extraction system comprising at least one vacuum source, well piping, and at least one well coupled to the at least one vacuum source through the well piping, the control system comprising:

• a gas composition chamber coupled to the well piping and comprising at least one sensor configured to measure one or more characteristics of a landfill gas sample in the gas composition chamber;
• a first temperature sensor configured to measure, in the gas composition chamber, a temperature of the landfill gas sample;
• a temperature control mechanism configured to maintain the temperature of the landfill gas sample in the gas composition chamber at a first temperature;
• and
• a controller configured to:
• obtain a measure of the temperature of the landfill gas sample in the gas composition chamber measured by the first temperature sensor after the landfill gas sample is heated by the temperature control mechanism;
• determine whether the temperature of the landfill gas sample measured by the first temperature sensor is at the first temperature;
• and
• control, based on results of the determination made by the controller, the at least one sensor to measure the one or more characteristics of the landfill gas sample in the gas composition chamber.