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2000 Progress Report: Bioreactor Landfill Moisture Management
EPA Grant Number: R827933C022Subproject: this is subproject number 022 , established and managed by the Center Director under grant R825427
(EPA does not fund or establish subprojects; EPA awards and manages the overall grant for this center).
Center: Urban Waste Management and Research Center (University New Orleans)
Center Director: McManis, Kenneth
Title: Bioreactor Landfill Moisture Management
Investigators: Schert, John D. , Reinhart, Debra R. , Townsend, Timothy
Institution: University of Florida , University of Central Florida
EPA Project Officer: Krishnan, Bala S.
Project Period: July 1, 2000 through June 30, 2003
Project Period Covered by this Report: July 1, 2000 through June 30, 2001
RFA: Urban Waste Management & Research Center (1998)
Research Category: Targeted Research
Description:
Objective:The objective of this research project is to monitor and evaluate moisture movement and moisture balance in a bioreactor landfill operated under parallel aerobic and anaerobic conditions, something never before accomplished. Landfill leachate management can be one of the biggest challenges encountered by landfill managers. Bioreactor operation offers landfill managers the opportunity for leachate storage, treatment, and disposal. Although in situ moisture is a critical parameter to the success of bioreactor operations, it is one of the most difficult to accurately measure. This project provides an opportunity to evaluate available technology in a recirculating landfill environment.
Three primary tasks will be employed to achieve the above objectives:
1. Evaluation and Testing of Alternative Moisture Monitoring Instrumentation
in situ moisture content sensors have been developed primarily for use in the agricultural industry to monitor irrigation efficiency necessary to achieve optimum plant growth. Some of these technologies are being explored and tested for use in evaluating the moisture content in landfills. Landfills, by their nature, pose challenges to the application of these devices. Although each technology has its unique application difficulties when applied to landfills, the extreme heterogeneity of landfills as compared with farm soils creates challenges in transferring the technology to landfills. The corrosive and complex nature of the leachate also makes in situ measurements difficult.
Several devices will be installed within the head-on-the-liner-experimental area, including time domain reflectometry (TDR), neutron probes, electrical resistivity, and a variant of time domain reflectometry called frequency domain reflectometry (utilizing a microwave signal rather than a pulse). This area provides controlled leachate recirculation where head on the liner can be monitored as well as impacts from precipitation and injected moisture. Values obtained from these instruments will be compared with direct moisture measurements obtained following core sampling of the waste. The accuracy, precision, reliability, and cost effectiveness of these devices will be assessed over a 2-month period.
2. Bioreactor Moisture Input and Output Monitoring
To perform a complete moisture balance on the bioreactor, all moisture inputs (recirculated leachate and groundwater) and outputs (gas moisture and collected leachate) will be routinely monitored. The bioreactor will be capped to ensure complete control of emissions.
3. Data Analysis
Data will be analyzed to develop a moisture balance for the bioreactor. A final report will be developed summarizing results.
Progress Summary:During the past fiscal year, research has focused on the first task, the evaluation and testing of alternative moisture monitoring instrumentation. Four instrumentation activities were completed:
1. Purchase of Time Domain Reflectrometry
Moisture content and distribution are key variables that determine the performance of Bioreactor Landfill Cells. However, the measurement of in-place moisture content in heterogeneous packed solid waste layers is not easily achieved. The Center contracted with Dr. C. Zeiss, Director of Research, ZIRKON Consulting, Inc., to construct, calibrate, and assist in installation of vertically aligned moisture sensors based on TDR technology in the New River Regional Landfill— Bioreactor Cell. This technology has been shown to provide accurate and sensitive landfill moisture data. These sensors will be compared with other sensors and measurement techniques for operational and scientific research purposes.
2. Installation of Instruments at the New River Regional Landfill
Six Moisture, Temperature, and Gas (MTG) sensors and six TDR sensors were installed on March 19, 2001. These were put in groups of three in each 6-inch diameter hole created using a hollow stem auger.
3. Calibration of Sensors Based on Time Domain Refectrometry (TDR) Technology
As reported, Moisture, Temperature, and Gas (MTG) sensors were installed in pairs with 12 TDR sensors in the New River Regional Landfill Bioreactor.
Each of the 12 sensors was encased in MSW drilled from their respective holes.
Onsite calibrations were performed with varying fluid conductivities. Wave patterns
were generated. Researchers plotted relationships between dielectric bulk constant
and volumetric water content for varying pore conductivities as obtained from
all the sensors. Researchers then determined the best fit calibration curves
for the particular electrical conductivity of test fluid.
4. Moisture Sensor Design, Calibration, and Testing
The MTG sensors were installed at 48 locations with three sensors at most locations and two sensors at shallower elevations. Three sensors were installed at each location at depths of 45–50 ft, 30 ft, and 20 ft. The MTG sensors measure moisture in soil as a function of resistance across the sensor matrix media. Initial resistance readings show complete saturation in the northwest portion of the landfill cell at depths of 45–50 ft from the landfill surface as suggested by resistance reading varying from 8–35 ohms. The northeast half of the cell is relatively dry. Readings at shallower depths are quite variable.
At one location, the moisture content was determined by gravimetric analysis of waste samples removed while drilling. Researchers determined values of moisture content by weight and the resistance readings from sensors placed near collected sample locations.
The MTG and TDR sensors will be connected to data loggers to automate data collection.
Future Activities:During the next year, data collection from TDR probes and MTG sensors will be collected, and performance will be compared. In addition, other possible MC analysis will be explored for future installation. In the next year, leachate recirculation will commence, and bioreactor water balance data will be collected and analyzed.
Journal Articles:No journal articles submitted with this report: View all 6 publications for this subproject
Supplemental Keywords:bioreactor, landfill, leachate. , Scientific Discipline, Waste, Ecology, Environmental Engineering, Municipal, Environmental Chemistry, Civil Engineering, evaluation of leaching, leachate recirculation landfills, bioreactor, landfill design, landfill operation, municipal solid waste landfills, landfill moisture control, waste management, municipal waste, waste disposal
Relevant Websites:
Progress and Final Reports:
Original Abstract
2002 Progress Report
Main Center Abstract and Reports:
R825427 Urban Waste Management and Research Center (University New Orleans)
Subprojects under this Center:
(EPA does not fund or establish subprojects; EPA awards and manages the overall grant for this center).
R825427C001 Comprehensive Evaluation of The Dual Trickling Filter Solids Contact Process
R825427C002 Issues Involving the Vertical Expansion of Landfills
R825427C003 Deep Foundations on Brownfields Sites
R825427C004 Ambient Particulate Concentration Model for Traffic Intersections
R825427C005 Effectiveness of Rehabilitation Approaches for I/I Reduction
R825427C006 Urban Solid Waste Management Videos
R825427C007 UWMRC Community Outreach Multimedia Exhibit
R825427C008 Including New Technology into the Investigation of Inappropriate Pollutant Entries into Storm Drainage Systems - A User's Guide
R825427C009 Investigation of Hydraulic Characteristics and Alternative Model Development of Subsurface Flow Constructed Wetlands
R825427C010 Beneficial Use Of Urban Runoff For Wetland Enhancement
R825427C011 Urban Storm and Waste Water Outfall Modeling
R827933C001 Development of a Model Sediment Control Ordinance for Louisisana
R827933C002 Inappropriate Discharge to Stormwater Drainage (Demonstration Project)
R827933C003 Alternate Liner Evaluation Model
R827933C004 LA DNR - DEQ - Regional Waste Management
R827933C005 Landfill Design Specifications
R827933C006 Geosynthetic Clay Liners as Alternative Barrier Systems
R827933C007 Used Tire Monofill
R827933C008 A Comparison of Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Bed (USAB) and the Anaerobic Biofilm Fluidized Bed Reactor (ABFBR) for the Treatment of Municipal Wastewater
R827933C009 Integrated Environmental Management Plan for Shipbuilding Facilities
R827933C010 Nicaragua
R827933C011 Louisiana Environmental Education and Resource Program
R827933C012 Costa Rica - Costa Rican Initiative
R827933C013 Evaluation of Cr(VI) Exposure Assessment in the Shipbuilding Industry
R827933C014 LaTAP, Louisiana Technical Assistance Program: Pollution Prevention for Small Businesses
R827933C015 Louisiana Environmental Leadership Pollution Prevention Program
R827933C016 Inexpensive Non-Toxic Pigment Substitute for Chromium in Primer for Aluminum Sibstrate
R827933C017 China - Innovative Waste Composting Plan for the City of Benxi, People's Rupublic of China
R827933C018 Institutional Control in Brownfields Redevelopment: A Methodology for Community Participation and Sustainability
R827933C019 Physico-Chemical Assessment for Treatment of Storm Water From Impervious Urban Watersheds Typical of the Gulf Coast
R827933C020 Influence of Cyclic Interfacial Redox Conditions on the Structure and Integrity of Clay Liners for Landfills Subject to Variable High Groundwater Conditions in the Gulf Coast Region
R827933C021 Characterizing Moisture Content Within Landfills
R827933C022 Bioreactor Landfill Moisture Management
R827933C023 Urban Water Issues: A Video Series
R827933C024 Water Quality Modeling in Urban Storm Water Systems
R827933C025 The Development of a Web Based Instruction (WBI) Program for the UWMRC User's Guide (Investigation of Inappropriate Pollutant Entries Into Storm Drainage Systems)
R827933C027 Legal Issues of SSO's: Private Property Sources and Non-NPDES Entities
R827933C028 Brownfields Issues: A Video Series
R827933C029 Facultative Landfill Bioreactors (FLB): A Pilot-Scale Study of Waste Stabilization, Landfill Gas Emissions, Leachate Treatment, and Landfill Geotechnical Properties
R827933C030 Advances in Municipal Wastewater Treatment
R827933C031 Design Criteria for Sanitary Sewer System Rehabilitation
R827933C032 Deep Foundations in Brownfield Areas: Continuing Investigation
R827933C033 Gradation-Based Transport, Kinetics, Coagulation, and Flocculation of Urban Watershed Rainfall-Runoff Particulate Matter
R827933C034 Leaching and Stabilization of Solid-Phase Residuals Separated by Storm Water BMPs Capturing Urban Runoff Impacted by Transportation Activities and Infrastructure
R827933C035 Fate of Pathogens in Storm Water Runoff
R87933C020 Influence of Cyclic Interfacial Redox Conditions on the Structure and Integrity of Clay Liners for Landfills Subject to Variable High Groundwater Conditions in the Gulf Coast Region