Physical chemical treatment of leachate from landfill

Abstract

The results of a bench scale chemical‐physical treatment of sanitary leachate are reported. The use of lime in combination with ferrous sulphate and polyelectrolyte gave a 39% COD removal. The initial concentrations are in the range of 4000 ‐8500 mgl‐1 and the BOD/COD ratio 0.10–0.2, indicating the non ‐biodegrada‐bility of the organic compounds present.

By using alum with polyelectrolyte, a lower removal was achieved compared with that of a lime system, but still quite high being in the range of 31%.

The organics removed from the leachate are of the highest reported in literature indicating the effectiveness of the chemical treatment.

Key words:

• Leachate treatment
• leachate chemical precipitation
• leachate characteristics