Pollution Control and Resource Recovery: Municipal Solid Wastes at Landfill

Pollution Control and Resource Recovery

Municipal Solid Wastes at Landfill

Zhao Youcai*

*Prof. Dr., State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, China

Lou Ziyang

Table of Contents

Cover image

Title page

Copyright

List of Contributors

About the Authors

Preface

Summary

Abbreviations

Chapter One. General Structure of Sanitary Landfill

1.1. Sanitary Landfill of Municipal Solid Wastes

1.2. Artificial Horizontal Lining Materials

1.3. Horizontal Lining Structure

1.4. Shanghai Refuse Landfill

1.5. Shanghai Solid Waste Treatment and Disposal Base

Chapter Two. Stabilization Process and Mining Operation for Sanitary Landfill

2.1. Conversion of Organic Carbon in the Decomposable Organic Wastes in Anaerobic Lysimeters Under Different Temperatures

2.2. Monitoring and Long-Term Prediction of Refuse Compositions and Settlement as well as Leachate in Large-Scale Landfill Lysimeter

2.3. Physical and Chemical Variation of Refuse Composition With Disposal Ages

2.4. Microbial Community in Aged Refuse

2.5. Aged Refuse Mining Operation

2.6. Definition of Aged Refuse

Chapter Three. Leachate Generation Processes and Property at Sanitary Landfill

3.1. Leachate Collection System of Sanitary Landfill

3.2. Leachate Sampling and Analytical Procedures

3.3. Chemical Characterization of Leachate

3.4. Effects of Membrane Porosity on Carbon in Leachate Fractionation

3.5. Distributions of Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Fractions in Leachate Fractionation

3.6. Time Span Categories in Leachate

3.7. Leachate Category and Their Distribution Components

3.8. Heavy Metals Content in Leachate With Different Ages

3.9. Effects of Fulvic Substances on the Distribution and Migration of Hg in Landfill Leachate

3.10. Variations of Leachate Property in Lagoon Leachate Treatment Process

3.11. Spectroscopic Characteristics of Humic Acid in Leachate From Semiaerobic Landfill and Anaerobic Landfill

3.12. Abiotic Association of Phthalic Acid Esters With Humic Substances and Its Influence on the Fate of Phthalic Acid Esters in Landfill Leachate

Chapter Four. Leachate Pollution Control Technology at Sanitary Landfill

4.1. Characterization of Microalgae-Bacteria Consortium Cultured in Landfill Leachate for Carbon Fixation and Lipid Production

4.2. Advanced Leachate Treatment Process Using the Hydration Reaction

4.3. Pretreatment of Landfill Leachate Using Deep Shaft Aeration Bioreactor in Cold Winter Season

4.4. Treatment of Leachate by Aged-Refuse-Based Biofilter

4.5. Leachate Recirculation Process for Alternating Aged Refuse Bioreactors

4.6. Advanced Treatment of Leachate Effluent From Aged Refuse Biofilter Reactor Using Internal Iron-Carbon Electrolysis and Fenton Like Process (IEF)

4.7. Anaerobic and Aerobic Leachate Treatment Processes

4.8. Physical–Chemical Methods

4.9. Membrane Treatment Processes

Chapter Five. Pollution Control and Resource Recovery for Landfill Gas

5.1. Generation Processes of Landfill Gas

5.2. Landfill Gas Exhaust System

5.3. Design of Gas Collection System

5.4. Condensate Collection and Discharge

5.5. Size and Differential Pressure Calculation

5.6. Pipe Materials of Gas Collection System

5.7. Purification and Utilization of Landfill Gas

5.8. Bio-Oxidation of Escaping Methane From Landfill Using Modified Aged Refuse

5.9. Mixed Cultivation of Methanotrophs From Aged Refuse

5.10. Influences of Mixed Methanotrophs Agent on Methane Oxidation Capacity of Landfill Cover Materials

5.11. Bio-Oxidation of Methane From Landfill Using Leachate-Modified Aged Refuse

5.12. Coinhibition of Methanogens for Methane Mitigation in Biodegradable Wastes

5.13. Use of Cowl for Methane Aerobic Mitigation in Landfill

5.14. Biological Oxidation of Methane in the Exhaust Pipe Using Aged Refuse Based on a Configuration of Biological Oxidation in Refuse Landfill

5.15. Methane Bio-Oxidation Using Aged Refuse and Aged Sludge Mixtures

5.16. Dependence of Release of Greenhouse Gas on Environmental Factors in Landfill

5.17. Influence of Environmental Factors on Methane and Carbon Dioxide Emission From Landfill

5.18. Diel Methane Emission Mechanisms in Vegetated Landfills and Its Significance in Developing Landfill Methane Emission Model

5.19. Demonstration Project of Methane Mitigation at Municipal Solid Waste Landfill

Chapter Six. Novel Landfilling for Leachate and Methane Control and Treatment of Sewage and Feedlot Wastewaters Using Aged Refuse Bioreactor

6.1. Setting Up of Lysimeters for Functional Layer Embedded Landfill

6.2. Functional Layer Embedded Landfill Operation

6.3. Effect of Layers Composition on Leachate Property From Functional Layer Embedded Landfill

6.4. Treatment of Sewage Using an Aged-Refuse-Based Bioreactor

6.5. Use of an Aged-Refuse Biofilter for the Treatment of Feedlot Wastewaters

References

Index

Copyright

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List of Contributors

Zhou Haiyan,     Shanghai Laogang Waste Disposal Company, Shanghai, China

Li Hangfen,     Tongji University, Shanghai, China

Niu Jing,     Tongji University, Shanghai, China

Mei Juan,     Tongji University, Shanghai, China

Zhang Meilan,     Shanghai Laogang Waste Disposal Company, Shanghai, China

Huang Renhua,     Shanghai Laogang Waste Disposal Company, Shanghai, China

Zhou Tao,     Tongji University, Shanghai, China

Zhao Tiantao,     Tongji University, Shanghai, China

Chai Xiaoli,     Tongji University, Shanghai, China

He Yan,     Tongji University, Shanghai, China

Sun Yingjie,     Tongji University, Shanghai, China

Zhao Youcai,     Tongji University, Shanghai, China

Lou Ziyang

Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China

Tongji University, Shanghai, China

About the Authors

Zhao Youcai is currently a professor of environmental engineering at School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University. He got bachelor degree from Sichuan University (1984) and PhD from Institute of Chemical Metallurgy (now Institute of Process Engineering), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing (1989). After finishing his postdoctoral research work at Fudan University, Shanghai, he joined in Tongji University in 1991. Meanwhile, he had also worked at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece, National University of Singapore, Tulane University, United States, and Paul Scherrer Institute, Switzerland, for 4  years as research fellow or visiting professor. He had authored or coauthored 138 publications published in the peer-reviewed internationally recognized journals, 420 publications in China journals, and authored or coauthored 75 books (as an author or Editor-in-chief). Currently, his research interests include treatment of municipal solid wastes, sewage sludge, hazardous wastes, polluted construction wastes, and industrial wastes.

Contact information:

E-mail: Zhaoyoucai@tongji.edu.cn

Mail address: The State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China.

Lou Ziyang is currently an associate professor of environmental engineering at School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China, and a Humboldt Fellow in Germany. He obtained his PhD in 2007 from School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, and got his Bachelor degree from Department of Chemical Engineering, Dalian University of Technology (DUT) in 2001 (Dalian, Liaoning Province). His current research interests include the development of landfill technology with low pollutants emissions, onsite land processing system for high strength waste water, and waste and climate change from LCA perspectives.

Contact information:

E-mail: louworld12@sjtu.edu.cn

Mail address: School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, PR China.

Preface

The annual quantity of municipal solid wastes (referred to refuse as used in this book in brief) in the world may be over 7  billion tons and most of them are being landfilled. Leachate and landfill gases will generate and the stabilized aged refuse will be thus formed, when the wastes undergo complex physical, chemical and biological changes after they are placed in a landfill. Leachate is a very toxic liquid and landfill gases are key greenhouse gases and should be controlled carefully for a long period. Meanwhile, as a useful resource, the aged refuse may be recycled.

The construction and operation procedures for a landfill of municipal solid wastes have been well established worldwide, and the relevant literature such as guidelines, regulations, acts, directives, etc., can be easily available. However, the pollution control and resource reuse engineering technologies for a landfill are still developing and should be summarized. For the past 25  years, the authors have conducted a series of research work on the pollution control and resource reuse for municipal solid wastes landfill, viewing the wastes placed in landfill as a resource, and leachate and landfill gases as secondary pollutants. For the stabilized wastes as referred to aged refuse, it can be mined and recycled after separation and pretreatment. For leachate and greenhouse gases, several novel techniques have been developed, such as aged-refuse–based biofilters and deep-shaft bioreactors for leachate, and aged-refuse biocover for the biooxidization of fugitive methane emission, along with the conventional techniques including membrane bioreactor, nanofiltration, and reverse osmosis.

For many years, landfills have been viewed as an ultimate disposal site for refuse. In this book, however, the landfill is considered as a renewable bioreactor, when the leachate and landfill gases can be mitigated effectively. The contents of this book include general structure of sanitary landfill, stabilization process of landfill, recycling of aged refuse, leachate generation processes, leachate pollution control, utilization and biooxidation of landfill gas, and novel landfilling for leachate and methane control, covering the latest research and development achievements gained in recent years in municipal solid wastes (refuse) landfilling process. The readers may include engineers, managers, undergraduates and graduates, and researchers and scientists.

Summary

Landfilling is still a key world-wide end-of-pipe disposal technique for municipal solid wastes. For many years, landfills have been viewed as an ultimate disposal site for refuse. In this book, however, the landfill is considered as a renewable bioreactor. The contents of this book include general structures and installations of sanitary landfill, recycling of aged refuse, leachate generation processes and pollution control, utilization and bio-oxidation of methane, and novel landfilling for leachate and methane control in a municipal solid wastes (refuse) landfill.

Abbreviations

Aft   Al2O3-Fe2O3-tri

AFm   Al2O3-Fe2O3-mono

AR   Aged refuse

ARB   Aged refuse biofilter

NH3-N   Ammonia nitrogen

BDM   Biodegradable matters

BOD5, or BOD   Biological oxygen demands

C-S-H   Calcium silicate hydrates

CODCr or COD   Chemical oxygen demands

CL   Conventional Landfill

DGGE   Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis

DEP   Diethyl phthalate

DBP   Dibutyl phthalate

DO   Dissolved oxygen

DS   Dissolved Solids

DSAB   Deep shaft aeration bioreactor

DM   Dissolved matter

DOM   Dissolved organic matter

FA   Fulvic Acid

GCL   Sodium bentonite composite impermeable liner

HA   Humic Acid

HDPE   High-density polyethylene film

HRT   Hydraulic retention time

Hy-base   Hydrophobic bases

Hy-acid   Hydrophobic acids

Hy-Neutral   Hydrophobic neutral

Hi-bases   Hydrophilic bases

Hi-acids   Hydrophilic acids

Hi-Neutral   Hydrophilic neutral

HS   Humic substances

IC   Inorganic Carbon

LFG   Landfill gas

MSW   Municipal solid waste

MVC   Mechanical Vapor Compression

MW   Molecular weight

ORP   Oxidation Reduction Potential

PAEs   Phthalic acid esters

POPs   Persistent Organic Pollutants

PC   Primary component

PCA   Principal component analysis

Refuse   Municipal solid wastes

RL   Renewable landfilling

RO   Reverse osmosis

SS   Suspended Solid

TN   Total nitrogen

TP   Total phosphate

TOC   Total organic carbon

TS   Total solid

TK   Total potassium

USEPA   US Environment Protection Agency

VOCs   Volatile organic carbons

XOCs   Xenobiotic organic compounds

Chapter One

General Structure of Sanitary Landfill

Abstract

Sanitary landfill, in contrast with dumping site, is an environment-friendly final disposal means for municipal solid wastes (referred to as refuse in this book). The general structure of a sanitary landfill includes lining systems for the bottom and slope around the landfill, leachate, landfill gas collection and drainage system, daily cover and final closure cover, leachate treatment, landfill gas utilization, etc. Perhaps the largest sanitary landfill in the world, Shanghai Refuse Landfill, which is constructed as Phase I, II, III, IV, and V projects, is introduced. Landfills for refuse, incineration fly ash and bottom ash, construction and demolition wastes, and industrial and hazardous wastes are being separately placed at this landfill. Meanwhile, the largest grate furnace refuse incineration plant is also built in this site, with 3000  t/d for the Phase I, together with 6000  t/d for the Phase II, which is also the largest scale incineration plant in the world.

Keywords

Landfill planning; Sanitary landfill; Shanghai Refuse Landfill

1.1. Sanitary Landfill of Municipal Solid Wastes

Municipal solid wastes, also namely refuse, garbage, domestic wastes, were dumped at any available sites for a long time, without pollution control measures. Sanitary landfill, in contrast with dumping sites, was developed in the 1960s in UK and other developed countries. As a sanitary landfill, lining system, leachate collection and treatment system, landfill gas collection and treatment system, daily cover, final closure and ecological remediation, are among the key techniques that must be designed and implemented. Lining system is an essential infrastructure for a sanitary landfill. Without the lining system, the landfill will be a dumping site. In a landfill with a lining system, i.e., sanitary landfill, landfill gas and leachate will be prevented from entering surrounding soil and water, which can also prevent groundwater and surface water from entering the landfill, and thus effectively control the amount of leachate.

1.2. Artificial Horizontal Lining Materials

The most common impermeable material used for sanitary landfill lining system is flexible synthetic geomembrane, compacted clay, and geosynthetic clay liner (GCL). High-density polyethylene (HDPE) film has been the unique geomembrane material used as lining material for sanitary landfill in the world, which has an excellent chemical stability and flexibility, low permeability, strong UV stability, corrosion, and deformation resistances as shown in Table 1.1. The thickness of HDPE geomembrane for landfill lining system should not be less than 1.5  mm, preferably 2.0 and 2.5  mm.

Compacted clay is widely used in sanitary landfill lining system alone or with HDPE. When it is used alone, the permeability coefficient of 1  ×  10−⁷  cm/s and thickness of 2  m should be used for the whole landfill. In most cases, it is nearly impossible to get such a clay, both in terms of quantity and quality. Hence, clay and HDPE are always used together to guarantee the lining ability of a landfill.

Table 1.1

Physical and Mechanical Properties of High-Density Polyethylene Membrane Used for Landfill Lining System

GCL is an artificially modified material using sodium bentonite sandwiched in the middle of two layers of geotextile fabric. It can be used as a protective layer for HDPE to replace compacted clay. When GCL in the lining system is broken a hole by the wastes side is created, and it will be sealed by itself soon in the presence of water so that the leachate remains within the landfill. In general, the thickness of GCL is 6  mm, with a permeability coefficient of 5.0  ×  10−⁹  cm/s. Technical indicators of GCL are given in Table 1.2.

1.3. Horizontal Lining Structure

Fig. 1.1 is a typical horizontal lining structure widely used in the world. It should be the least requirements for sanitary landfill, such as single HDPE layer with draining system for underground water below HDPE.

Table 1.2

Technical Indicators of Geosynthetic Clay Liner (GCL)

Figure 1.1  Typical horizontal lining structure widely used in the world with single high-density polyethylene (HDPE) layer as lining system.

Another typical horizontal lining structure widely used in the world with single HDPE layer as lining system and underground water draining system is given in Fig. 1.2, and the corresponding slope lining structure is shown in Fig. 1.3. Sorted clay should be spread over the lining system before the refuse is placed to avoid puncture of HDPE film by the wastes. Typical horizontal lining structure with double HDPE layers as lining system and underground water draining system is provided in Fig. 1.4.

Figure 1.2  Typical horizontal lining structure widely used in the world with single HDPE layer as lining system and underground water draining system. HDPE , high-density polyethylene. 1. Garbage body; 2. gravel layer; 3. leachate collection ditch; 4. HDPE pipe; 5. geotextile; 6. clay; 7. HDPE film; 8. sand layer; 9. groundwater collection trench; 10. cement pipes; 11. soil foundation.

Figure 1.3  Typical slope lining structure for a sanitary landfill. HDPE , high-density polyethylene.

Figure 1.4  Typical horizontal lining structure with double high-density polyethylene (HDPE) layers as lining system for a sanitary landfill.

1.4. Shanghai Refuse Landfill

Construction of Shanghai Refuse Landfill was begun in 1985 along the shore of the East China Sea, which was formed by the sedimentation of silt carried by the Yangtze River. The landfill initially occupied around 6  km² and extended to current area of 30  km² in use and nearly 50  km² within the protection area. It is perhaps the largest landfill in the world. The refuse is placed by the area method to a filling height of 12–45  m to create a 220  Mm³ volume capacity. Around 50  million tons of municipal solid wastes (refuse) had been placed in the landfill from 1989 to 2015. Currently, around 5000–9000  tons of refuse, which was 75% of the total refuse generated in the center area of Shanghai, are placed in the landfill daily. As a result, some 10  km² of landfill compartments had been closed since 1989.

Figure 1.5  Landfill cells distribution at Shanghai Refuse Landfill.

Shanghai Refuse Landfill is constructed as 5-phase projects. The first three phases were conducted in the 1980s and 1990s with an area use of 4  km² in which 56 landfill cells were formed as shown in Fig. 1.5. Each cell might be used for 3–6  months' placement of refuse. The refuse components, weight, time, etc., had been well documented. The data provided in this book most came from this part of landfill. The authors had studied it for over 25  years since 1992.

The Phase IV landfill was constructed in late 2000, just for a landfill with a capacity of 4900  t/d. Phase V was used in 2010, including a refuse landfill, an incineration plant with 3000 and 6000  t/d together, a hazardous wastes landfill, and a dewatered sewage sludge landfill.

The landfill leachate was collected by a leachate collecting system under the bottom of the cell and discharged through a separate pipeline. In 1990s and 2000s, two landfill leachate treatment systems using stabilized pond and activated sludge methods were constructed and operated in the landfill. A leachate treatment with a scale of 3200  t/d was put into operation since 2013, using membrane bioreactor (MBR) and reverse osmosis (RO) system.

Municipal solid waste contains a high proportion of biodegradable fractions that undergo complex physical, chemical, and biological changes after landfilling. The municipal solid wastes are converted to liquids and gases in terms of leachate and landfill gas under the anaerobic degradation process, while the stabilized wastes, as referred to aged refuse in this book, remain in the landfill finally. Meanwhile, the concentrations of soluble organics (measured as COD and BOD) and NH3-N in leachate increase sharply in the first several months after burial, decrease sharply subsequently, and keep decreasing downward for a long time. The leachate will be naturally attenuated in a slow but steady manner in the long-term degradation and stabilization period, and then ultimately reach the regulated discharge standards and even surface water quality standards. However, it can take decades or even hundreds of years for such a natural and complete leachate treatment depending on the refuse composition and moisture and on local climate and geological conditions.

The refuse in the landfill also decomposes effectively, though slowly, and the biodegradable matter degrades and transformed into a stable residue over time. During this process, metals are oxidized and inorganic salts may dissolve in leachate, resulting in the generation of complex leachate and corresponding landfill gases. It has been well proved that the heavy metal and phosphate contents in leachate are quite low, compared to the C and N contents. This may be due to the fact that high leachate pH (7.5–8.5) leads to a precipitation of the metals or phosphates, or these constituents may simply adsorb onto the degraded waste solids.

Landfills have been always viewed as an ultimate disposal site for refuse. Recently, however, viewing landfills as bioreactors has gained acceptance, and anaerobic or semianaerobic landfills have been reported to be practical, cost effective, and operational. The function of landfills shifts from the terminal disposal facilities to the bio-transfer stations, and excavation and recycling of aged refuse is considered feasible. Once refuse has been significantly stabilized or mineralized, it may constitute a resource that can be utilized, and the life span of a landfill can be extended as the emptied space is used for replacement of fresh refuse.

Obviously, with the vast area claimed by the Shanghai Refuse Landfill, it should be possible to reuse the land after closure, and several reuse approaches are being considered and practiced by the local governments. It is important to know the landfills stabilization process before the potential utilization of aged refuse and the extension of the land volume. A lot of site investigation work and waste stabilization study will be required before a suitable reuse plan can be implemented.

1.5. Shanghai Solid Waste Treatment and Disposal Base

Shanghai is the largest city in China, with a population of 24  millions, and a huge quantity of wastes are being generated, including refuse, industrial solid wastes, hazardous wastes, construction and demolition wastes, waste soil, and medical wastes. Currently, Shanghai Refuse Landfill has been expanded from a landfill to a solid waste treatment and disposal base to accept nearly all the wastes in Shanghai. The image of Shanghai solid waste treatment and disposal base is given in Fig. 1.6, including the project and protection area, Phase I–IV landfills is given in Fig. 1.7, and the main projects located at Shanghai solid waste treatment and disposal base is given in Fig. 1.8.

Figure 1.6  Image of Shanghai solid waste treatment and disposal base.

1.5.1. Landfill Areas

The landfill site include Phase I, II, III, IV, and V, among which Phase I, II, and III landfill areas had been closed since April 2009 and reserved for land development in the future. The operating landfill areas are Phase IV and Phase V. Moreover, landfills for hazardous wastes, dewatered sludge, etc., are also in use.

1.5.2. Incineration Plant

An incineration plant with a scale of 3000  t/d had been put into operation for several years and another incineration plant with a scale 6000  t/d will be put in use by 2020. Two incineration plants with grate furnaces are integrated together with a chimney for flue gas discharge, and it may be the largest incineration facility in the world.

Figure 1.7  Phase I–IV landfill locations at Shanghai solid waste treatment and disposal base.

Figure 1.8  Main projects located at Shanghai solid waste treatment and disposal base.

1.5.3. Leachate Treatment Plants

Currently, a landfill leachate treatment plant with a scale of 3200  t/d has been put to use for years using MBR and RO systems. The effluent from MBR is also being sent to a sewage treatment plant for deep treatment to make COD <60  mg/L.

1.5.4. Watercourses and Wharfs System

The transportation modes of solid wastes in Shanghai include land transport and waterway transport. The wastes from areas around the landfill are transported by trucks, and those in the downtown are transferred and transported by ships and boats with a load of 300–500  t. The dockyard at the landfill is shown in Fig. 1.9.

1.5.5. New Energy Generation Projects

The landfill gas generated at Phase I–V is collected and used for power generation. Meanwhile, the wind power generation system is also installed. Hence, the refuse incineration to power, landfill gas to power, and wind to power are integrated. A huge quantity of electricity has been generated from this base and sent to the State Power Grid.

1.5.6. Afforestation System

A greenbelt is being constructed around the base so that the potential pollutants can be intercepted from the base.

Figure 1.9  Watercourses and wharfs system at Shanghai solid waste treatment and disposal base.

1.5.7. Technology Exhibition Center

As an advanced solid waste comprehensive treatment base in China, the processes and technologies used in the base are exhibited in the exhibition center which covers an area of about 0.06  km².

Chapter Two

Stabilization Process and Mining Operation for Sanitary Landfill

Abstract

The wastes placed at a sanitary landfill contain biodegradable, nondegradable, and semidegradable matters. The biodegradable matters will be rapidly decomposed chemically and biologically into stabilized substances such as humus and inorganic fractions, which is referred to as aged refuse in this book. For the organic wastes, most organic carbon are converted into gases, few into leachate, and others remained as aged refuse. Higher temperature will lead to more rapid degradation and result to higher conversion of the organic carbon to biogas and lower to both solid residues and leachate. The refuse at landfill might be fully mineralized and the accumulative settlement might be over 30% of the initial height after around 22–30  years closure, and postclosure care may be stopped after 22  years, while chemical oxygen demand concentrations in leachate would be reduced naturally to 300  mg/L after over 15  years. A similarity and disparity comparison for different-scale lysimeters with a refuse weight from several hundred kilograms to 10,800  tons, is made, and find that a similarity exists from viewpoint of refuse degradation mechanism and declination tendency of leachate quality and refuse composition among these varied scale lysimeter. An enough weight of waste, such as over 200  kg, should be used at lab when the landfill stabilization process is simulated. The relationships between the refuse components and composition with refuse age are explored in detail and found that the wastes can be considered to be stabilized and become recyclable aged refuse after 8–10  years of placement in China. The air quality at the aged refuse mining point is acceptable and only total bacteria and PM10 may be over the control values. Microbial communities in aged refuse are much more complex than expected. Most of the predominant bacteria in aged refuse exhibit high identity to some extremophiles found in extreme conditions such as highly alkaline and/or saline environments, rocks of an ancient gold mine, old sediments, hypertolerant to arsenic, cold sulfur-rich spring, and the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau permafrost region. The predominated bacilli-like bacteria coexisted with methanogenic archaea, with a rich source of extremophiles, especially alkaliphilic and/or halophilic microbes.

Keywords

Aged refuse; Aged refuse mining; Microbial communities; Municipal solid waste; Sanitary landfill; Stabilization process

2.1. Conversion of Organic Carbon in the Decomposable Organic Wastes in Anaerobic Lysimeters Under Different Temperatures

Municipal solid waste contains a big proportion of organic wastes, which is biodegradable and of high moisture. The stabilization process of refuse landfill is actually the process of organic waste biodegradation. One of solutions to the increase of decomposable organic wastes in refuse is to treat the wastes separately. However, it seems that landfilling is still the most practical treatment measure for the wastes. To understand the biological decomposition mechanism, so that the landfill can be better managed, the biological degradation of the organic wastes in landfill should be studied so that the fundamental knowledge for the improvement of landfill management can be provided. In this work, the decomposable organic wastes, such as fruit, cooking wastes, vegetables, tree leaves, shrubs, and small pieces of woods, were used for the exploration of organic wastes degradation occurred at a landfill, and their composition is shown in Table 2.1.

It is essential that the quantity and composition of gas, solid residue, and leachate generated in the lysimeters must be determined accurately. Hence, totally, 18 lysimeters were used, with a decomposable refuse weight (in dry basis) of 14  kg in each lysimeters. The moisture of decomposable refuse was around 70%, as the cooking wastes, vegetables, and fruits occupied the main components. Hence, the weight of wastes in every lysimeter was actually 46.0  kg (wet basis). They were organized into three parallel groups (named as Groups I, II, and III), six lysimeters a group, as shown in Table 2.2, and put in the thermostatic room with 25, 30, and 41°C, respectively for a duration from 1 to 6  months. The height and diameter of lysimeter were 70  cm and 25  cm. N2 gas was purged through all the lysimeters to escape the entrapped air as soon as the wastes were installed in the lysimeters and sealed. The biogas was collected from the upper lysimeter and their volume was monitored by flowmeters and analyzed by gas chromatograph. Leachate was circulated within each lysimeter once a day by peristaltic pump until it was stopped as scheduled (Table 2.2). The first lysimeter in every group were terminated for analysis of leachate, biogas, and solid residues in the 30th day; the second lysimeter was terminated in the 60th days, and so on. Around 25  L of leachate, 55% of the initial weight of wastes, was generated in the last lysimeter terminated on the180th day. The data were all calculated on the dry basis.

Table 2.1

Refuse Composition Used in Dry Base

Table 2.3 gives the quantity of leachate, biogas, and solid residues, which vary with temperature and time. Quantity of leachate increased gradually at room temperature, while increased at the first 3  months and then decreased at 41°C, but always decreased at 30°C. In contrast, the accumulated volume of biogas always increased, and the weight of solid residues decreased, over the three temperatures.

Table 2.2

Layout of Lysimeters (Weight of Organic Wastes 46  kg, With 70% Moisture)