Title: Landfill leachate treatment for biological nutrient removal from wastewater

Authors: Debra R. Reinhart, John D. Dietz, Larry G. Tunnell, Athena Christodoulou

Addresses: Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, P.O.Box 162450, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida 32816-2450, USA. ' Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, P.O.Box 162450, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida 32816-2450, USA. ' Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, P.O.Box 162450, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida 32816-2450, USA. ' Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, P.O.Box 162450, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida 32816-2450, USA

Abstract: Substantial volumes of leachate have been generated at the recently opened lined cells of the Orange County Landfill located in central Florida. To accommodate these volumes, a force main was installed to deliver leachate to the Eastern Service Area Wastewater Treatment Facility (ESAWTF) operated by the Orange County Public Utilities Division, which uses a biological nutrient removal process. Four previous attempts to treat this leachate during late 1991 and early 1992 at the ESAWTF were implicated in plant episodes of high effluent nitrogen concentrations. The objectives of the study described here were to investigate contributing factors to effluent nitrogen excursions and to identify an appropriate operating strategy necessary to meet effluent limitations when treating leachate. These objectives were met using a series of batch tests to evaluate ammonia removal rates by plant mixed liquor in the presence of various leachate volumetric additions. Results of batch tests were subsequently confirmed during full-scale testing. Based on batch and full-scale testing, treatment of leachate at the ESAWTF appeared to be an acceptable means of disposal provided that leachate loadings were not excessive, a period of acclimation was provided, and operational adjustments for high nitrogen loading were made.

Keywords: biological nutrient removal; landfill leachate; nitrification; wastewater treatment; ammonia removal; nitrogen loading.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEP.1994.028350

International Journal of Environment and Pollution, 1994 Vol.4 No.1/2, pp.97 - 106

Published online: 17 Sep 2009 *

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