Bioreactor Goals
A bioreactor process is a controlled means of increasing the moisture content of the inplace MSW with the goal of accelerating the decomposition of the organic fraction of the wastestream. The moisture content is increased by re-applying leachate that is collected from the leachate collection system into the landfill and adding additional water as necessary to obtain the optimal moisture content for microbial activity. The following objectives have been established by
- Obtain rapid organic waste stabilization leading to an overall reduction of the potential for uncontrolled releases of leachate and/or gas to contaminate the ground water or air during the post-closure phase should a containment system failure occur. This will result in a reduced need for post-closure monitoring and an increased potential for landfill mining.
- Maximize landfill gas capture for better and more efficient energy recovery and reduction of fugitive air emissions. Reduction in air quality impacts from the facility is of primary importance since air inversions and the resulting degradation in air quality are common in the mountains.
- Increase landfill disposal capacity due to rapid settlement during operational period that leads to more economical operations, deferred capital costs for additional landfill capacity, and delay in the siting and construction of a new facility.
- Improve leachate quality and eliminate offsite hauling of leachate. Research has shown that bioreactor operations provide more complete: decomposition of organic contaminants; adsorption of certain inorganic contaminants into the soil/waste matrix; and, chemical reactions such as metals precipitation. The bioreactor operation will eliminate the need for tanker trucks to haul leachate to the POTW thus creating a safer situation for nearby residents
