Andrew Cooke, M.E.Sc

Biofilm Growth and Mineral Precipitation in Synthetic Leachate Columns



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.
 

Back
 

Last revised: 20/10/01