Critical approach to anaerobic bioreactors landfill technology

5 CRITICAL APPROACH TO ANAEROBIC BIOREACTORS LANDFILL TECHNOLOGY 

Liquid recirculation in a landfill is linked to the risk of adverse effects associated with intensive gas production and fast settlement of the waste mass. The main potential disadvantages are  

Risk of surface seepages. The low permeability of the material that is used as a daily or intermediate cover for the landfilled waste can cause lateral migration of the liquids. Soh Hettiaratchi (2009) showed that when silt loam was used as a cover, less than 1% of the leachate seeped through the cover layer, but when sand was used no lateral leachate migration was observed and 100% of the leachate seeped through the cover. 

Risk of chloride and ammonia nitrogen accumulation in landfills, which could inhibit methanogenesis. To eliminate the problem of ammonia s toxic effects, leachate should be pre-aerated before recirculation (Francois et al. 2007). 

Intensified odour nuisance. Compared to traditional landfills, bioreactor landfills produce more gases, such as HjS, which have an extremely putrid smell. 

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