sustainable development
The enforcement of the ARB landfill measure is expected to lead to emission reduction of 1.5 MMTCO2e which is higher than the 1.0 MMTCO2e goal.
Other factors that influence the methane production is the nature of the organic waste that has been disposed in the landfill. Some types of organic waste are less inclined to produce high levels of methane compared to others. The other factor is the amount of moisture in the landfill. High moisture levels lead to high methane production compared to low moisture levels in the landfill. Also certain chemicals in the landfill may lead to catalyzation of the methane producing process.
2) Use the treatment options in Table 8-11 (pg. 357) that lists biological and physical/chemical operations for treating leachate generated from a landfill to answer the following questions.(Your total response for all parts of this question should be at least 300 words.)
a. Recommend a treatment train that uses one biological and one physical chemical operation. Provide your reason for making this recommendation.
The use of non-combustion technologies that include the use of carbon canisters, Sulphur treatment systems, bio filtration as well as the use of masking agents.
b. In what order would you put these units? Describe your reasoning for your prescribed order.
Carbon canisters use if the first since it allows for the disintegration of the waste material. Next, the sulfur system is applied in order to treat the hydrogen sulfide produced. After which we have the bio filtration process where the oxidization of the volatile organic compound to carbon dioxide and water takes place. Lastly, we have the masking agents which reduce the odor from the process.
c. If your proposed treatment scheme does not meet the prescribed permit discharge limits for the facility, what post-treatment technology would you recommend to ensure that discharge limits are met. Provide your reasons for your technology selection.
Biological methods may be use such as nitrification and the use of artificial wetlands in order to facilitate the complete treatment of all waste. These methods aim at the control of the environmental conditions such as pH, temperature, nutrients availability, oxygen availability that provide ability for the optimum growth of microorganisms.
3) Leachate and Groundwater Monitoring
a. Why are landfills designed to have a leachate head of 12 inches on the liner?If the leachate head had the potential to build to 24 inches, what is a simple design technique that could relieve the hydraulic pressure on the liner?
The panel design is appropriate in providing quick drainage response after the introduction of water which allows it to have ideal conditions for time critical applications.
Using small puncture holes on the liner may allow a relieve of the hydraulic pressure on the liner
b. What are the monitoring requirements for an operational landfill? Create a table to describe what each parameter measures and why knowing this is important.
Parameter
What it measures
Fluid Level and composition
Surface water
Fluid level and composition
Ground water
Gas composition
Landfill gas
Electrical conductivity and temperature, amount of rainwater infiltration
Meteorological data
. What are the monitoring requirements for an operational landfill? Insert a table to describe what each parameter measures and why knowing this is important.
c. What are the post-closure monitoring requirements? Make or insert table to describe what each parameter measures and why knowing this is important?
Parameter
What it measures
Volume of precipitation
Atmospheric conditions
Temperature min/max,
Weather conditions
Evaporation
Atmospheric conditions
Atmospheric pressure
Atmospheric conditions
Atmospheric humidity,
Atmospheric conditions
4) Assume that a landfill is proposed for a location that is located east of a forest, west of a national park, and north of a major river.
a. What are some political factors that go into deciding if this is an acceptable location for a new regional landfill?
One aspect to be considered is the political goodwill and support from the public. For example, a selected landfill area may be rejected by the public which makes it difficult for the state authorities to act upon it.
The local legislation can influence the selection of the landfill areas as they are the ones that provide approval of the landfill sites as they may require conducting in-depth investigations.
Location boundaries may also be of importance since despite a landfill being selected, it may be on the private property of an individual which makes the site not feasible.
b. What engineering modifications could you recommend that would make this site acceptable to the city council?
The use of negative mapping may be used in the identification of the candidate landfill sites through the identification of positive window areas for further investigation of the process.
The use of the Geographical information systems that provide an overlay technology to identify the ideal landfill areas.
c. If the landfill location is rejected, what recommendations would you propose that for managing the municipal solid waste for the community?(Your total response for all parts of this question should be at least 200 words.)
The urban ecological environment should be considered as an asset where the environmental issues are regarded with importance. There is need to accelerate the transition into sustainable development options for the environment through the promotion of the use of renewable energy sources and building of low carbon eco cities. There is need for the advocation of the conservation of resources, environmental friendly manufacturing and the development of sustainable lifestyles that are environmental conscious.
