Gas Enhancement Techniques in Landfill Simulators

Abstract

Techniques to enhance landfill gas production from landfills were tested using 16 landfill simulators. These techniques included: accelerated moisture infiltration; elevated moisture content; leachate recycle; buffer (calcium carbonate), nutrient (ammonium phosphate), and/or sewage sludge additions; and elevated refuse temperature. Each test cell contained 380 kg (836 1b) of ground municipal solid waste. All simulators were constructed in February 1980. Reloading of some of the cells with the nutrient (ammonium phosphate), buffer (sodium carbonate) or anaerobic sewage sludge took place in January 1983. The simulators were operated until January 1985. Over this operating period, various physical and chemical parameters were measured to determine gas and leachate quantity and quality. Results indicated that sewage sludge additions, buffer additions, and nutrient additions were useful enhancement techniques of gas production from municipal solid waste. Moisture infiltration and elevated moisture content have shown some beneficial effects.