MECHANICAL BIOLOGICAL PRETREAT-MENT IN SOUTH-EAST ASIA – THEORET-ICAL AND PRACTICAL APPROACH

SUMMARY: A sanitary landfill under operation has been the objective of a theoretical and prac-tical appraisal of mechanical biological pre-treatment under tropical conditions. Since February 2002 pre-treatment prior to landfilling has been implemented. The process comprises homogeni-zation and shredding followed by static pile composting. An intensive test phase has been per-formed being accompanied by a comprehensive research program. Variations of the climatic conditions in combination with a very specific waste composition adversely affect the aerobic degradation. Intensive downpours cause irreversible shifts from aerobic to anaerobic status ham-pering the entire degradation. Static pile composting without periodically turning will run at risk of massive methane formation. Based on the German ordinance on “Environmentally compatible landfilling of domestic waste “ the process ’ efficiency is discussed. Within 300 days an adapted process will guarantee a reasonable stabilization appraised by leaching characteristics, TOC re-duction, oxygen consumption, and biogas formation of the remainders. 1 LANDFILLING IN SOUTH-EAST ASIA In the South-East Asian region waste containing eminent organic matter combined with high moisture content is predominantly dumped in non-engineered landfills; leachate and landfill ga