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UNIT V: DISPOSAL OF SOLID WASTE

Volume reduction, Open dumping, landfilling techniques. Landfills: Classification-Design and Operation of
landfills, Land Farming, Deep well injection.

❖ VOLUME REDUCTION OF SOLID WASTE:

Volume reduction or compaction refers to densifying wastes to reduce their volume. Volume and size
reduction are essential factors in the development and operation of any solid waste management system.
The primary purpose is to reduce the size of waste and volume compared to its original form and produce
a waste of uniform size.
Some of the benefits of compaction include:
• Reduction in the quantity of materials to be handled at the disposal site.
• Improved efficiency of collection and disposal of wastes.
• Increased life of landfills.
• Economically feasible waste management system.

Following ways can achieve a reduction in the volume of solid waste :

• Mechanical volume reduction
• Shredding
• Chemical volume reduction
• Thermal Volume Reduction

1. Mechanical Volume Reduction:

Mechanical volume reduction is the most crucial method in developing and operating a solid waste
management system. In this, Vehicles equipped with compaction mechanisms are used for collecting
municipal solid wastes.
Following types of equipment are used for compaction:
a. Stationary equipment
b. Movable equipment
a. Stationary equipment:
Stationary types of equipment are those in which wastes are brought to and loaded either manually
or mechanically, and a tailored assembly of compaction does compaction. According to the
application, stationary compactors can be classified as light-duty, commercial or light industrial,
heavy industrial, and transfer station compactors. Large stationary compactors are necessary when
wastes are to be compressed into steel containers or transport vehicles directly.
b. Movable equipment:
Movable equipment represents the wheeled equipment used to place and compact solid wastes in a
sanitary landfill.
2. Shredding:
Shredding is the process of breaking down waste into smaller parts. Shredding is required to convert
large-sized wastes into smaller pieces. Size reduction helps to obtain the final product in a reasonably
uniform and considerably reduced size compared to the original form.
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3. Chemical volume reduction:

Chemical volume reduction is a method wherein volume reduction occurs through chemical changes
brought within the waste through chemicals. Methods used to reduce the volume of garbage chemically
include pyrolysis, hydrolysis, and chemical conversions. The volume of municipal wastes can be reduced
by more than 90% by incineration. In the past, incineration was quite a common process of volume
reduction. However, with more restrictive air pollution control requirements necessitating expensive
cleanup equipment, only a limited number of municipal incinerators are currently in operation.

❖ OPEN DUMPING

Open dumping is defined as a land disposal site at which solid wastes are disposed of in a manner that
does not protect the environment. Open dumping of Municipal Solid waste is the roughest means of
disposing of waste and it is mostly practiced in rural areas, semi-urban settle, and undeveloped urban
areas. For open dumping or open burning, every type and form of waste (including household waste,
hazardous wastes, tires, batteries, chemicals) is dumped in an open area within a community or
outside different homes in a community and
same being set on fire after several days or
when the waste generator or community feels
it should be burnt.
Open dumping is the improper disposal of any
waste including household trash, garbage,
tires, barrels, demolition or construction
waste, appliances, shingles, pipes, metal, or
any material which will rust, rot, or burn
Figure 5.1: Open dumping

❖ Landfilling of Solid Wastes:

Landfilling is defined as a method of disposing of
refuse on land without creating nuisances or
hazards to public health or safety.
By utilizing the principles of engineering to confine
the refuse to the smallest area, reduce it to the
smallest volume, and cover it with a layer of the
earth after each day's operation, or at such more
frequent intervals as may be necessary.
Landfills for individual waste constituents such as
combustion ash, asbestos, and other similar wastes
are known as monofills; landfills for the disposal of
hazardous wastes are called secure landfills.
Figure 5.2: A Typical Landfill for Solid Waste

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• Characteristics of Landfill:

1. Solid waste is placed in a suitably selected and prepared landfill site in a carefully prescribed manner.
2. The waste material is spread out and compacted with appropriate heavy machinery.
3. The waste is covered each day with a layer of compacted soil.
4. Most important feature of modern sanitary landfill design is the technology used to prevent
groundwater pollution.
5. It depends on containment rather than treatment.

• Requirements for a Landfill:

1. Full or partial hydrological isolation
2. Formal engineering preparation
3. Permanent control on landfill site
4. Planned waste location and covering
• Components of a Typical Landfill:

There are four critical elements in a

secure landfill: a bottom liner, a
leachate collection system, a cover, and
the natural hydrogeologic setting. The
natural setting can be selected to
minimize the possibility of wastes
escaping to groundwater beneath a
landfill. Each of these elements is
critical to success.
Figure 5.3: Components of a Typical Landfill

❖ Landfill processes

The feasibility of land disposal of solid wastes depends on the type, quantity, characteristics of wastes,
the prevailing laws and regulations, and soil and site characteristics.
Site selection process and considerations:
• This requires the development of a working plan, or a series of plans, outlining the development
and descriptions of site location, operation, engineering, and site restoration.
• Considerations for the site include public opinion, traffic patterns, congestion, climate, zoning
requirements, availability of cover material and liner.

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Following are the landfill process:

1. Settling process:
The waste body of a landfill undergoes different stages of settling or deformation as given in figure 5.4

Figure 5.4: Settling Processes in Landfill

a. Primary consolidation: During this stage, a considerable amount of settling occurs. The movement of
trucks, bulldozers, or mechanical compactors will also enhance this process. After this primary
consolidation or short-term deformation stage, aerobic degradation processes occur.

b. Secondary compression: During this stage, the settling rate is much lower than that in the primary
consolidation stage, as the settling occurs through compression, which cannot be enhanced.

c. Decomposition: During the degradation processes, organic material is converted into gas and
leachate. The settling rate during this stage increases compared to the secondary compression stage
and continues until all decomposable organic matter is degraded. The settling rate, however,
gradually decreases with the passage of time.

2. Microbial degradation process: The microbial degradation process is the most important biological
process occurring in a landfill. These processes induce changes in the chemical and physical
environment within the waste body, which determine the quality of leachate and both the quality and
quantity of landfill gas.

❖ Methods of Sanitary Landfilling

Following are general methods of landfills:-

1. Area method,
2. Trench method, and
3. Ramp, or slope method.

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1. Area method: Area landfilling method is also known as Above Ground Landfill. The Area landfilling is
mainly used to dispose of urban waste. The area method is best suited for flat or gently sloping areas
where some land depressions may exist. The wastes are spread, compacted, and then covered with a
material that may need to be hauled in from adjacent areas. The area landfilling method involves
depositing waste in layers and forming terraces over an identified landfilling area. The area landfilling
method generates excessive leachate, which is difficult to control and pollute the groundwater table.

2. Trench Landfilling Method: The Trench method is also known as Below Ground Landfill. The
trench method of landfilling involves the excavation of a waste trench. The collected waste is disposed
of inside the excavated trench and is covered up with a layer of soil. This method is suitable only for a
small quantity of waste. The trench landfilling method may not be suitable for large quantities of
waste because a larger trench needs to be excavated with a proportionate increase in the cost of
disposable.

3. Slope Landfilling Method: Slope landfilling method involves disposing of collected waste along the
sides of the existing hill slope. The slope or ramp is sometimes used in combination with the other two
methods. The wastes are spread on an existing slope, compacted, and covered. This variation may be
suitable for most areas. The cover materials usually come from just ahead of the working face.

4. Valley Landfilling Method: Valley Landfilling Method is also known as Canyon Landfills. In the valley
landfilling method, the collected waste is deposited in valleys, low-lying areas, canyons, and ravines.

In all the above methods, precautions need to be taken to prevent harm to Mother Nature. Various
contaminations may occur during landfilling of urban solid waste:
1. Air contamination due to waste generated gases and waste dust.
2. Surface water contamination through waste runoff and slope failure.
3. Groundwater contamination through leachate seepage.
4. Contaminated waste soil erosion.

❖ Sanitary Landfill Design Considerations:

A Sanitary landfill is a modern engineering landfill where waste is allowed to decompose into biologically
and chemically inert materials in a setting isolated from the environment.
Sanitary landfill design aims to provide the safe disposal of waste while protecting human health and the
environment. Sanitary landfills should be designed and managed to protect soil, groundwater, surface
water, and air.

• Planning phase: This typically involves preliminary hydro-geological and geo-technical site
investigations as a basis for the actual design. The construction phase involves earthworks, road, and
facility construction, and fill area preparation (liners and drains).

• Operation phase (5 – 20 years): This phase has a high intensity of traffic, work at the front of the fill,
operation of environmental installations, and completion of finished sections.

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• Completed phase (20 – 100 years): This phase involves the termination of the actual filling to the time
when the environmental installations need no longer be operated. The emissions may have
decreased to a level where they do not need any further treatment and can be discharged freely into
the surroundings.

• Final storage phase: In this phase, the landfill is integrated into the surroundings for other purposes
and no longer needs special attention.
❖ LEACHATE :

Leachate is defined as any contaminated liquid that is generated from water percolating through a solid
waste disposal site and Leachate usually contains various toxic organic pollutants, heavy metals,
ammonia-nitrogen compounds, and other components, which are much more complex than domestic
sewage. Leachate can be treated by biological processes, such as activated sludge. Physicochemical
processes are used to remove metals, ammonia, and dissolved solids, among other parameters.

❖ LAND FARMING:

Landfarming is a waste treatment process performed in the upper soil zone. Land Farming is
a bioremediation technology. In which Contaminated soils are mixed with soil bulking agents and
nutrients, and then they are cultivated into the earth. The material is periodically cultivated
for aeration. Contaminants are degraded, transformed, and immobilized by microbiological processes
and by oxidation. Soil conditions are controlled to optimize the rate of contaminant degradation. Moisture
content, frequency of aeration, and pH are all conditions that may be controlled. Land Farming differs
from composting because it incorporates contaminated soil into soil that is uncontaminated.

Limitations and Concerns:

A land farm must be managed properly to prevent on-site and off-site problems with
groundwater, surface water, air, and food chain contamination. Runoff collection facilities must be
constructed and monitored. The possible leaching of contaminants from the contaminated soil into the
ground and groundwater is a major concern.

• Land Farming incorporates contaminated soil into uncontaminated soil, creating a larger volume of
contaminated material. Therefore, the rate at which contaminants are degraded must be balanced
with the potential of creating a larger body of contamination.
• Land farms must not be used to dilute contaminants. If it cannot be shown that biodegradation occurs
for all contaminants of concern, land farming should not be used.
• Conditions affecting biological degradation of contaminants (e.g., temperature and rainfall) are
largely uncontrolled, possibly increasing the time to complete remediation.
• Inorganic contaminants will not be biodegraded, but they may be immobilized.

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Applicability:
Land farming has been proven most successful in treating petroleum hydrocarbons and other less
volatile, biodegradable contaminants. The more chlorinated or nitrated the compound, the more
difficult it is to degrade. Many mixed products and wastes include some volatile components that
transfer to the atmosphere before being degraded. Contaminants that have been successfully treated
include diesel fuel, oily sludge, wood-preserving wastes such as pentachlorophenol (PCP), polynuclear
aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and creosote), and certain pesticides.

❖ Deep well Injection:

Deep well injection is a liquid waste disposal technology. This alternative uses injection wells to place
treated or untreated liquid waste into geologic formations that have no potential to allow the migration
of contaminants into potential potable water aquifers.
• A typical injection well consists of concentric pipes, which extend several thousand feet down from
the surface level into highly saline, permeable injection zones that are confined vertically by
impermeable strata.
• The outer pipe or surface casing extends below the base of any underground sources of drinking
water and is cemented back to the surface to prevent contamination of the underground sources
of drinking water.
• Inside the surface, the casing is a long string casing that extends to and sometimes into the
injection zone. This casing is filled in with cement back to the surface to seal off the injected waste
from the formations above the injection zone back to the surface.
• The casing provides a seal between the wastes in the injection zone and the upper formations.
• The waste is injected through the injection tubing inside the long string casing either through
perforations in the long string or the open hole below the bottom of the long string.
• The space between the string casing and the injection tube, called the annulus, is filled with an
inert, pressurized fluid, and is sealed at the bottom by a removable packer preventing injected
wastewater from backing up into the annulus.

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Figure 5.5: Deep well Injection

Deep Well Injection Classification:
Deep well injection is a disposal method used for many different types of wastes, so the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) has developed a classification system to differentiate between types of wells. The
division of injection wells also helps to regulate the different types of wells to standards that best fit the given
situation. The different classes of wells and their purposes are listed in the table below.

Table 5.1 EPA Classification with description

EPA CLASSIFICATION DESCRIPTION
CLASS I Wells used to dispose of industrial and municipal waste
CLASS II Wells used to dispose of oil and gas-related wastes
CLASS III Wells used for extraction of minerals
CLASS IV Shallow wells for disposal of hazardous wastes or radioactive injection wells
Wells used to dispose of non-hazardous fluids either into or above the
CLASS V
underground drinking water source
CLASS VI Wells used for geologic sequestration

Deep Well Injection Operation:

• The purpose of an injection well is to provide the means to place hazardous and nonhazardous
wastes (generally fluids) into porous geologic formations.
• The type of injection well drives what type of wastes and the location of the injection well.
• The construction of the injection well is driven by the primary type of waste it will be disposing
of, which will also determine how deep the well will need to be drilled.
• Certain geologic or hydrogeologic locations may favor a particular type of injection well over
another.
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