Evaluation of Leachate Recirculation as a Stabilisation Strategy for Landfills in Developing Countries

John J. Sandoval-Cobo, Diana M. Caicedo-Concha, Luis F. Marmolejo-Rebellón, Patricia Torres-Lozada and Johann Fellner
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John J. Sandoval-Cobo: ECCA Group, Faculty of Engineering, Universidad del Valle, Cali 760032, Colombia
Diana M. Caicedo-Concha: Faculty of Engineering, Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia, Cali 760035, Colombia
Luis F. Marmolejo-Rebellón: ECCA Group, Faculty of Engineering, Universidad del Valle, Cali 760032, Colombia
Patricia Torres-Lozada: ECCA Group, Faculty of Engineering, Universidad del Valle, Cali 760032, Colombia
Johann Fellner: Institute for Water Quality, Resource and Waste Management, Vienna University of Technology, Karlsplatz 13/226-2, 1040 Vienna, Austria

Energies, 2022, vol. 15, issue 17, 1-18

Abstract: This study evaluated leachate recirculation (LR) as a stabilisation strategy for landfills using bioreactor experiments with excavated waste from a tropical landfill in Colombia. The experimental evaluation was performed in two 115 L bioreactors, one simulating the operation of a landfill with LR, Br2, where the leachate produced was recirculated at a rate of 0.8 L d ?1 , and a control system without LR, Br1. Both systems reached stabilisation indicator values on a dry matter (DM) basis for volatile solids VS (<25% DM) and a biochemical methane potential BMP (?10 mL CH 4 g ?1 DM). Likewise, towards the end of the experiment, the leachate generated in Br2 reached stabilisation indicator values for BOD 5 (<100 mg L ?1 ) and the BOD (biological oxygen demand)/COD (chemical oxygen demand) ratio (<0.1). Although the stabilisation criterion for COD was not met in any bioreactor (<200 mg L ?1 ), LR helped to release 19% more oxidisable organic matter in Br2 than in Br1, indicating a reduction in the contaminating potential of the waste in the case of uncontrolled discharges of leachate to the environment. Regarding biogas production, the generation of CH 4 in Br2 was more intense and its cumulative production was 34.5% higher than Br1; thus, Br2 achieved CH 4 emission rates, indicating waste stabilisation (<1.0 L CH 4 m ?2 h ?1 ) sooner than Br1, showing an accelerating effect of LR on waste degradation. A carbon mass balance indicated that waste degradation, in terms of the initial total organic carbon mineralisation and the C gas discharge via CH 4 , was greater in Br2. These results demonstrate the LR potential to accelerate the stabilisation of a landfill but also to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in final disposal sites where biogas is also captured and utilised for energy production; a key aspect when improving the sustainability of landfill operations in developing countries.

Keywords: leachate recirculation; methane; renewable energy; biogas (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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