INNOVATIVE TECHNIQUES FOR THE CULTIVATION OF LANDFILLS
TRADITIONAL LANDFILL CULTIVATION
Traditional cultivation involves the construction of the entire tank before the start of delivery and the subsequent disposal of the waste in horizontal layers.
Critical issues:
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significant production of leachate
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significant emanation of bad odors
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significant dispersion of volatile waste
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premature decay of waterproof sheets exposed to UV rays
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significant visual impact
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economic and financial exposure extended to the construction cost of the entire tank
INNOVATIVE TECHNIQUE
In 1987, in designing the “Chivasso” (urban waste) and “Barricalla” (noxious toxic waste) landfills, Buonomo Veglia srl ​​introduced an innovative technique which mainly consists in dividing the tank into hydraulic sectors.
No longer a waterproofed cavity into which to unload bulk waste, but the construction inside the tank, with the waste itself, of a embankment.
The innovative design and cultivation technique was presented in August 1989 at the international congress held in Rio de Janeiro and in September of the same year at the international congress "Soil and Underground" held at the Polytechnic of Turin.
Environmental and economic benefits:
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reduction of the surface of waste exposed to atmospheric agents with less
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leachate production
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emanation of bad odors
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dispersion of volatile waste
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reduction of the decay of waterproof sheets due to less exposure to UV rays
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limitation of the economic and financial exposure to the construction cost of the hydraulic sector concerned from time to time
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reduction of the cultivation front with less visual impact
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non-contamination of the tires of waste transport trucks that run along tracks made on capping
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reduction of waste settling times due to the ordered sequence of delivery
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
The environmental impact of cultivation for hydraulic sectors is very low.
The open front of the landfill is very small: this reduces the visual impact and, above all, the fumes of odors and volatile pollutants.
The smaller the cultivation front, the less waste is exposed to the action of the wind that is dispersed in the neighboring areas.
With the use of fog cannons it is possible to further reduce odors and dust.
PERCOLATE
For drainage, conveying and lifting of leachate, traditional cultivation involves the construction, progressive to the delivery of waste, of vertical wells placed in the center of the tank or alternatively the construction of vertical wells outside the tank.
With the innovative technique each hydraulic sector is equipped with a well lying on the side of the tank.
Advantages:
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elimination of the interference between the construction of the well and the delivery of waste.
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elimination of the critical point for the hydraulic seal of the tank when crossing the waterproofing system with the pipes for conveying the leachate.
BIOGAS
The extraction of biogas from urban waste is managed with two separate collection networks; the peripheral one which eliminates the risk of biogas leaks in the surrounding areas and the central one which has the task of sucking biogas rich in methane.
The central network is made up of mixed drains which, in addition to sucking the biogas, allow the leachate to be injected into the waste body to maintain the optimal level of humidity which accelerates decomposition and promotes the production of leachate.
Advantages:
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acceleration of the waste inertization process
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greater efficiency in energy recovery
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reduction of passive post mortem management of the landfill