Impact of various leachate recirculation regimes on municipal solid waste degradation

Abstract

Landfilled municipal solid waste can be treated by introducing leachate into the waste matrix. Increasing attention is being given to landfill leachate recirculation as a means for in situ leachate treatment and landfill stabilization. Landfills with leachate recirculation may be operated as municipal solid waste bioreactor treatment system rather than as a conventional waste dumping sites. In order to study the impact of various leachate recirculation regimes on municipal solid waste degradation, two landfill-simulating reactors, one with leachate recycle and one without, were constructed and placed at a constant room temperature (34°C). Both reactors were filled with a municipal solid waste mixture representing the typical solid waste composition determined for the city of Istanbul. For the purpose of this experiment, leachate recirculation volume and frequency were changed periodically. This research showed that increased frequency of leachate recirculation accelerates the stabilization rate of waste matrix. About 2 l of recirculated leachate and four times per week recirculation strategy were found to provide the highest degree of waste stabilization. Additionally, this research confirmed that leachate recirculation is a very feasible way for in situ leachate treatment.