A. J. Cooke1, R. K. Rowe2, B. E. Rittmann3 , J. VanGulck4 and S. Millward1
1. Grad. Student, Dept. of Civ. and Env. Engrg, The Univ. of Western
Ontario, London, ON, Canada
2. Prof. and Vice-Prin. (Res.), Queen's Univ., Kingston, ON, Canada
3. Department of Civil Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois,
U.S.A.
4. Grad. Student, Dept. of Civ. Engrg., Queen's Univ., Kingston, ON,
Canada
Abstract
The results of a numerical model developed
to describe the clogging of leachate collection systems are compared with
data from column experiments conducted with synthetic landfill leachate.
A biofilm kinetic model is used to calculate the utilization of organic substrates
(acetate and propionate) and growth of active clog material, and the substrate
removal is then linked to mineral precipitation. Calculated changes
in the COD and Ca2+ of the effluent leachate and the porosity
profiles along the length of the column show encouraging agreement with measured
values. Means to obtain reasonable parameter values are presented.
The favourable outcome represents completion of an essential first step towards
being able to predict what controls clogging in landfill leachate collection
systems.
Last revised: 20/10/01