Landfill leachate treatment systems with Membrane Bioreactors (MBR)s have developed many unique process improvements for industrial wastewater applications. Dynatec successfully uses Ultrafiltration (UF), MBR and Reverse Osmosis (RO) for landfill leachate applications.
Landfill leachate treatment requirements
Treatment can vary, depending on the discharge requirements, and the contaminants present
Landfill leachate is characterized by:
- High Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)
- Heavy metals
- High BOD
- Color
- High COD
- High ammonia
The MBR option: an aerated biological mixed liquor process operating at very high solids concentrations.
The advantages are:
- Long sludge age produces a well acclimated biomass. High concentration (typically 12,000 to 20,000 mg/l) provides very high rates of reaction
- Excellent nitrification and de-nitrification
- Smaller footprint
- High-quality effluent by using membranes for final clarification
- Lower sludge production
Typical MBR results in landfills:
| Parameter | BOD | COD | TSS | Ammonia |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Influent | 500 | 4000 | 150 | 1000 |
| Effluent | <5 | 800 | <5 | <1 |
| % Removal | >99% | 80% | >96% | >99% |
The system produces bio-sludge dewatered for disposal, or disposed of as a liquid sludge.
Alternative landfill leachate treatment options:
- Chemical precipitation of metals before MBR treatment
- RO after MBR treatment removes organic and inorganic contaminants, and color
- UF followed by RO
The two effluent streams from a RO system are:
- Permeate
- Concentrate (or reject)
This can be re-injected into the landfill. Its long-term effects on leachate concentrations should be considered.
Conclusion
The MBR process provides the highest possible levels of organic removal with essentially zero suspended solids in the effluent. This is the ideal feed system for RO treatment.
RO permeate can be used for other non-potable purposes:
- Irrigation
- Truck washing
- Dust control
Dynatec membrane treatment systems have successfully provided outstanding performance in many landfill leachate applications. Considerations for this technology include:
- Membrane treatment offers reliable, consistent landfill leachate
- Systems are highly cost effective, and require low levels of operator interface
- The best membrane system configuration for each application should be individually evaluated
- Membrane treatment is broadly applied in the US and abroad
For more information, please contact us today.