Numerical modeling of clogging of landfill leachate collection systems with co-disposal of municipal solid waste (MSW) and incinerator ash

The influence of co-disposal of municipal solid waste (MSW) and incinerator ash used as daily cover on the clogging of leachate collection systems (LCSs) from landfills is examined. The “BioClog” model is used to simulate the fate and transport of the nine leachate constituents most responsible for clogging the LCSs as they move through the porous media. It then calculates the thicknesses of five films that attach to the porous media and the effect of this clog mass–volume on the porosity and hydraulic conductivity of the granular material. Then it models the consequent growth in the leachate mound with increasing clog mass over time until the service life of the LCS is reached. The modeling shows that the concentrated source of leachable minerals in the incinerator ash accelerates the clogging rate and reduces the service life of the LCSs compared to inert daily cover. If an LCS is not designed to accommodate these higher concentrations of cations in the influent leachate during the landfill operating period, the ash can significantly reduce the LCS service life. Means of extending LCS service life are discussed. A practical technique is also utilized to estimate the service life of LCSs with conservative and reasonable agreement with BioClog.The accepted manuscript in pdf format is listed with the files at the bottom of this page. The presentation of the authors' names and (or) special characters in the title of the manuscript may differ slightly between what is listed on this page and what is listed in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript; that in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript is what was submitted by the author