A Study on Methanogenic Bacteria-Activated Leachate Recirculation Method for Enhancing Waste Stabilization and Landfill Gas Production from a Solid waste Landfill

Abstract

The objective of this study was to assess the effects of methanogenic bacteria-activated leachate recirculation method for enhancing waste stabilization and landfill gas production from a solid waste landfill. To simulate a conventional landfill (Lys-A), a landfill recirculated only fresh leachate (Lys-B), and two landfills recirculated leachate after pretreating with ASBR (Lys-C and Lys-D), four lysimeters were operated over a period of 4 years. Lys-D was recirculated two times of pretreated leachate volume than that of Lys-C. In the case of the landfill recirculated only fresh leachate and the landfill recirculated leachate after pretreating with ASBR, methane productions were increased until about 600 days, but there were not effect of leachate recirculation for enhancing methane production after about 600 days. It was assumed that leachate recirculation into fewer biodegradable organic wastes had not effect to enhance landfill gas production. Lys-C and Lys-D showed the highest performance for enhancing cumulative methane yield as well as acceleration waste stabilization. In cumulative methane yield, Lys-C (35.51 mL VS) and Lys-D (36.12 mL VS) were much higher than Lys-A (28.37 mL VS) and Lys-B (30.07 mL VS). In case of between Lys-B and Lys-C with the same recirculation rate, COD concentration in Lys-C was more rapidly decreased compared with that in Lys-B. This was attributed to the presence of methanogenic bacteria as well as dilution of inhibitory substances by the methanogenic bacteria-activated leachate recirculation. Therefore, the landfill recirculated leachate after pretreating with ASBR was found to be the most appropriate operating techniques for enhancing waste stabilization and landfill gas production.