Thermal treatment of landfill leachate and the emission control

The main aim of this study was to develop an appropriate system for the thermal treatment of landfill leachate. In the initial phase of this study, characterization studies were conducted both for the waste disposed and leachate generated. For the thermal treatment of the landfill leachate two different incineration systems, namely a double-phase liquid waste incineration system and a new pilot-scale incineration system, were tested. During the experimental study, the capability of the new pilot-scale incineration system was proven to treat the landfill leachate. However, high concentrations of NOx were recorded. On the other hand, the experimental data, obtained during the testing period of the double-phase liquid waste incineration system, indicated that the fluidized bed incinerator provided an extra unit sufficient to complete the oxidation of partial products of combustion and organics carried from the initial incinerator. Therefore, lower gaseous emissions were noted. However, an agglomeration problem has occurred, due to the high concentrations of Na, Ca and K. It was concluded that considering the flexibility of the thermal processes, thermal treatment of leachate could successfully be applied to Odayeri landfill, as well as to many landfills, if proper gas treatment systems are applied.