Developments to a landfill processes model following its application to two landfill modelling challenges

• Published in: Waste management (Elmsford) 2013-10, Vol.33 (10), p.1969-1981
• Main Authors: White, J.K., Beaven, R.P.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Algorithms; Biodegradation, Environmental; Carbon Dioxide; Degradation; Gas; Gases; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Landfill; Leachate; Methane; Modelling; Models, Theoretical; Netherlands; Refuse Disposal - methods; Settlement; Waste Disposal Facilities; Water Pollutants, Chemical
• ISSN: 0956-053X; 1879-2456
• DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2012.12.006

► The benefits of engaging in two blind landfill modelling challenges are identified. ► The modelling of two datasets from trials at very different scales are described. ► A modularisation strategy intended to facilitate sharing of model codes is proposed. ► Chemical degradation pathways that affect the CO2:CH4 LFG ratio are discussed. ► A simple chemical equilibrium calculation for a landfill model is presented. The landfill model LDAT simulates the transport and bio-chemical behaviour of the solid, liquid and gas phases of waste contained in a landfill. LDAT was applied to the LMC1 and LMC2 landfill modelling challenges held in 2009 and 2011. These were blind modelling challenges with the model acting in a predictive mode based on limited early time sections of full datasets. The LMC1 challenge dataset was from a 0.34m deep 0.48m diameter laboratory test cell, and the LMC2 dataset was from a 55m×80m 8m deep landfill test cell which formed part of the Dutch sustainable landfill research programme at Landgraaf in the Netherlands. The paper describes developments in LDAT arising directly from the experience of responding to the two challenges, and discusses the model input and output data obtained from a calibration using the full datasets. The developments include the modularisation of the model into a set of linked sub-models, the strategy for converting conventional waste characteristics into model input parameters, the identification of flexible degradation pathways to control the CO2:CH4 ratio, and the application of a chemical equilibrium model that includes a stage in which the solid waste components dissolve into the leachate.