Laboratory Investigation of Large Scale MSW Reactor Under Anaerobic Conditions: Fid-Bau Portal

Laboratory Investigation of Large Scale MSW Reactor Under Anaerobic Conditions

Santhosh, L. G. / Lakshmikanthan, P. / Sivakumar Babu, G. L.

Abstract The behavior of landfill depends upon the composition and characteristics of municipal solid waste (MSW) and climatic conditions of the region. MSW undergoes various complex mechanisms such as physical, chemical, thermal and biological processes during its life time in landfills which are difficult to understand. In the present study, an attempt has been made to understand such complex processes by setting up an anaerobic reactor in the laboratory. The reactor was monitored under the laboratory conditions for a period of 284 days and the obtained results from the experimental program are presented and discussed in this paper. The program includes monitoring of moisture content, pH, temperature, settlement, and quantity of leachate as well as landfill gas with respect to the simulation of measured quantity of rainfall during the experimental study. Further, physio-chemical characteristics of leachate samples were analyzed by laboratory experiments. The observed pH values were in the range of 8.5–9 and indicate the attainment of optimum condition for the degradation of MSW. The obtained total alkalinity was observed in the range of 5800–6000 mg/L with a maximum value of 7800 mg/L, The BOD to COD ratio of 0.312 ensured the gradual progress in the degradation of MSW. The average volumetric moisture content and temperature of MSW was 49.65% and 26.5 °C respectively which indicates the favorable conditions for the growth of microorganisms. Total settlement at two locations was found to be 7.6% (70.9 mm) and 9% (93.30 mm) of the initial thickness of MSW respectively. Total gas produced at the end of the 284 days is 7.8 L. The quantity of leachate generated was observed to be 77.84% of the total rainfall. The results presented in this paper could possibly be used to validate some of the existing gas generation models and other numerical models to predict the gas generation rates and the MSW behavior in landfills. The study also helps the planners and engineers in understanding the complex mechanisms to design and for the effective operation of landfills for the sustainable waste management.