Proceedings of the International Conference on Sustainable Solid Waste Management,

5 - 7 September 2007, Chennai, India. pp.474-481

Bioreactor Landfill for MSW Disposal in Delhi

Sneha Gupta, Narendra Choudhary and Babu J. Alappat

Department of Civil Engineering, IIT Delhi, Hauz Khas New Delhi 110016.
Email: alappat@civil.iitd.ac.in

ABSTRACT

Looking forward to the future, the ways of managing wastes will have to be improved for better
environment and quality of life. It is for sure that source reduction and recycling efforts will
take on increasingly important roles. However, landfill disposal will remain an essential
component of the integrated waste management strategies for the foreseeable future.

Significant environmental and economic benefits can be gained by making small changes in the
way the landfills are operated. A bioreactor landfill changes the goal of landfilling from the
storage of waste to the treatment of waste. In concept, bioreactor landfills are designed to
accelerate the biological stabilization of the landfilled waste through increased moisture
addition and other management techniques so as to enhance the microbial decomposition of
the organic matter. The most widely used and understood method of creating a landfill
bioreactor is by the recirculation of leachate.

This paper presents an overview of the bioreactor landfill concept, existing relevant
regulations, benefits to be derived, design and operational issues. It also gives a comparison
of dry tomb landfill and bioreactor landfill for the solid waste generated in Delhi.

1.0 INTRODUCTION

Landfill has been widely used for municipal solid waste (MSW) disposal all over the world. In
developing countries, it is considered as a reliable and a cost effective method if adequate land is
available. (Bioreactor Landfill for Sustainable Solid Waste Landfill Management Faculty of
Engineering, Kasetsart University).

The national Capital Delhi ranked last amongst the four metros in solid waste collection, disposal and
recycling, according to a study. City generates about 6000 tonnes of solid waste per day says an
Assocham study http://www.tribuneindia.com/2007/20070307/delhi.htm). A very small fraction of
the collected solid waste in city like paper, Plastics, metal and glass can be reused for multiple or
substandard purposes. Coming to incineration, Delhi already has burnt its fingers on a previous waste
to energy project. Installed in 1984, it ran for exactly 21 days and was shut down because the waste
was unfit for burning because of its low calorific value. Composting though a good option, the MSW
has been found to have lower organic content and high ash and dust contents which make it
unsuitable. (http://www.no-burn.org/action/delhi.html). Hence a major bulk of MSW goes for
landfilling. Fourteen landfill sites have already been filled up in Delhi. Four landfill sites at Ghazipur
(East Delhi), Bhalswa (North), Hasthal (South West) and Okhla (South East) are operational at

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present, though these will soon get filled. According to a recent study by the NEERI, Nagpur, the
expected quantity of solid waste generated in Delhi would be about 12,750 tonnes per day by 2015.
Due to growing pressure on land in Delhi and the projected increase in the quantum of solid wastes,
the scope for disposal through landfill sites is limited. Too much land is being consumed accompanied
by increasing danger of ground and surface water contamination. (http://envfor.nic.in/divisions/
cpoll/delpolln.html). Due to slow degradation rate of conventional landfill, new concept called
"bioreactor landfill" is being sought which allows active landfill management based on an
understanding of the biological, chemical and physical processes involved (Reinhart et al., 2002).

2.0 CONCEPT OF BIOREACTOR LANDFILL

A bioreactor landfill is a sanitary landfill that uses enhanced microbiological processes to transform
and stabilize the readily and moderately decomposable organic waste constituents within 5 to 10 years
of bioreactor process implementation. The process requires significant liquid addition through
leachate recirculation to reach and maintain optimal conditions. Strategies including waste shredding,
pH adjustment, nutrient addition, waste pre-disposal and post-disposal conditioning, and temperature
management, may also serve to optimize the bioreactor process (Reinhart et al., 2002).

2.1 Essential Components of Bioreactor Landfill

The seven essential components of a landfill are:
(a) A liner system at the base and sides of the landfill
(b) A leachate collection and control facility
(c) A gas collection and control facility (optional for small landfills)
(d) A final cover system at the top of the landfill.
(e) A surface water drainage system
(f) An environmental monitoring system
(g) A closure and post-closure plan

3.0 BIOREACTOR LANDFILL DESIGN AND OPERATION

3.1 Design Elements

Required design components include the liner, leachate collection facilities, gas collection and
management facilities, and the final cap.

3.2 Cell Size

For economic and regulatory reasons, trend in landfill design is to build deep cells (or phases) that are
completed within two to five years which bodes well for bioreactor landfill evolution. Phased cell
construction can more easily take advantage of emerging technological developments, rather than
committing long term to a design that may prove to be inefficient. Once closed, methanogenic
conditions within the cell (phase) are optimized and gas generation and extraction is facilitated.
However, extremely deep landfills may be so dense in the lower portions that refuse permeability will
inhibit leachate flow. In these instances, it may be necessary to limit addition and/or recirculation to
the upper levels, or develop adequate internal drainage management capability.

3.3 Leachate Collection and Drainage System

It is located above the liner that consists of highly permeable natural materials such as sand or gravel

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or a geosynthetic net. As bioreactor landfill uses leachate recirculation technique, the leachate
collection system must be carefully designed to collect higher volume of water. The size of the pipe or
pumping capacity is greater than the materials in the conventional landfill. Especially in enhanced
biodegradation, fine particles will clog, so filter and operational layer are needed to be placed around
the leachate collection pipe (Qian et al., 2002).
ƒ A filter layer should be 150 mm of sand or a geotextile.
ƒ An operations layer should be 300 to 450 mm of locally available soil.

After recirculating the leachate, the remaining leachate that is stored should be drained out to maintain
a hydraulic head within the landfill of 30 cm or less. Thus, a design of slope piping to quickly drain
leachate should be considered. If leachate cannot move out, it has the potential to leak out of the
landfill and contaminate the environment. The drainage layer allows leachate seeping from above to
move sideways to the collection pipes. If the drainage layer cannot transmit the recirculation leachate,
there is a risk that the leachate will leak out of the landfill at another location and so management of
leachate collection with proper liners becomes important (Walsh and O’Leary., 2002).

3.4 Auxiliary Moisture Addition

It is not possible to recirculate a sufficient volume of leachate to reach the optimum waste moisture
content. Consequently, landfills in drier climate that are converted to bioreactors need special
attention to add water from other sources. Clean water, sewage sludge, sewage effluent and other
liquid waste have been proposed as additional moisture sources.

3.5 Landfill Gas Recovery

A bioreactor landfill generates more landfill gas in a much shorter time. To efficiently control gas and
avoid odor problems, the bioreactor landfill gas extraction system may require installation of larger
pipes, blowers and related equipment early in its operational life. Horizontal trenches, vertical wells,
near surface collectors, or hybrid systems may be used for gas extraction. Greater gas flows are
readily accommodated by increased pipe diameter, as capacity increases as the square of pipe
diameter. Liquid addition systems should be separate from gas extraction systems to avoid flow
impedance. Enhanced gas production can negatively impact side slopes and cover if an efficient
collection system is not installed during active landfill phases. Uplift pressure on geomembrane
covers during installation may cause ballooning of the membrane and may lead to some local
instability and soil loss. Temporary venting or aggressive extraction of gas during cover installation
may facilitate cover placement. Once the final cover is in place, venting should be adequate to resist
the uplift force created by LFG pressure buildup. The designer should consider the pressure buildup
condition on slope stability when the collection system is shut down for any significant time
(http://www.kunlad.net/BIOREACTORLANDFILLHOMEWORK.doc).

3.6 Landfill Stability

Addition of liquid into the refuse to increase biological activity will increase the total weight of the
refuse mass and may cause an increase in the internal pore pressure. This stability issue can be readily
assessed and resolved with standard geotechnical analyses. Seismic effects should also be considered
during geotechnical analysis when appropriate.

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3.7 Settlement
A bioreactor landfill will experience more rapid, total and complete settlement. Accelerated settlement
results from both an increased rate of decomposition of the solid waste and increased compression
through higher specific weights. Settlement during the landfilling operations will impact the
performance of the final surface grade, surface drainage, roads, gas collection piping system, and
leachate distribution piping system. Because of the significant increase in the settlement magnitude
and rate, it could be very beneficial to overfill the refuse above design grade before placement of the
final cover.

3.7.1 Operations
During landfill operations, it requires closer attention to system performance than the drier landfill.
Successful operation of a bioreactor landfill depends upon control and monitoring of biological,
chemical, and hydrologic processes occurring within the landfill.
(http://www.kunlad.net/BIOREACTORLANDFILLHOMEWORK.doc).

3.8 Solid Waste Pre-Treatment or Segregation

Bioreactor operations are most efficient where the refuse has high organic content and high exposed
specific surface area. Hence, bioreactor operations should be concentrated on waste segregated to
maximize its organic content and shredded, flailed, or otherwise manipulated to increase its exposed
surface area. Waste segregation could include separation of the construction and demolition (C&D)
wastes from MSW. Limited shredding can be obtained by spreading refuse in thin lifts and using
landfill equipment to break open plastic bags and break down containers. Mechanical shredding can
be efficient and effective in reducing particle size and opening bags.

3.9 Leachate Seeps

Monitoring for leachate seeps is mandatory, and the operations plan must include a rapid response
action to correct leachate seeps. Measures such as installation of slope and toe drains, surface
regrading, filling and sealing cracks are necessary to reduce surface water infiltration and the liquid
addition rate.

3.10 Daily and Intermediate Cover

The use of soil cover in a bioreactor landfill requires special attention. A cover more permeable than
the waste can direct leachate to the sides, where the leachate must be properly collected and drained.
Low permeability daily cover can create barriers to the effective percolation of leachate and water.

3.11 Management of Nutrients and Other Supplement Addition

Nutrient requirements are generally supplied by waste components, but research suggests that
nutrients and other biological and chemical supplements may be considered to enhance biological
activity. Addition of such additives has not yet been attempted in the field. Optimum pH for
methanogens is approximately 6.8 to 7.4. Buffering of leachate in order to maintain pH in this range
has been found to improve gas production in laboratory studies. Particular attention to pH and
buffering needs should be given during early stages of leachate recirculation.

3.12 Odor Control

Odor control can be more challenging when waste is wet. Consequently, the operator must be

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prepared to take appropriate action if problems arise. This could include quickly covering an area with
earth or introducing a fresh waste layer over a bioreactor cell.
(http://www.kunlad.net/BIOREACTORLANDFILLHOMEWORK.doc)

4.0 DESIGN OF A BIOREACTOR LANDFILL FOR HANDLING DELHI WASTE

4.1 Basic Data

Location : Delhi
Waste Generation : 6000 tons per day (current)
Design Life : Active Period = 5 years
Topography : Flat ground
Subsoil : Sandy SILT up to 20m below ground surface, underlain by bedrock
Water-table : 10m below ground surface
Average Total Precipitation : 750 mm per year
Waste Composition of Delhi MSW:

Contents Paper Cardboard

Food Yard Textile Total
waste waste weight
% by weight as discarded 6.6 6 31.4 17 4 65
*Source: Lecture Notes- Solid Waste Management, IIT Delhi.

On the basis of Ultimate Analysis of waste, the chemical formula derived is: C25H40O16N (*Source:
Lecture Notes- Solid Waste Management)

Specific Volume of waste = 0.2656 m3/Kg

4.2 Design of Landfill Capacity, Landfill Height, Landfill Area

a) Current Waste Generation per Day = 6000 t
There are three landfills presently in Delhi assuming equal distribution of waste in all land fills so
waste reaching one landfill is around 2000 t/day
b) Estimated Waste Generation After 5 Years = 8000 t/day (total)
c) Total Waste Generation in 5 Years= 4.25x 106tons
d) Total Waste Volume (density of Indian MSW = 0.5 t/m3) = 8.51x 106 m3
e) Volume of Daily Cover = 0.851x 106 m3
f) Volume of Liner and Cover Systems =1.064x 106
g) First Estimate of Landfill Volume = 9.574x106 m3
h) Likely Shape of Landfill
Rectangular in plan (length: width = 2:1)
Primarily above ground level, partly below ground level.
i) Area Restrictions: Nil
j) Possible Maximum Landfill Height = 20 m
k) Area Required =0.4787x 10 6m2
l) Approximate Plan Dimensions = 480 m x 960 m

5.0 LANDFILL SECTION AND PLAN

(a) Landfill Section and Plan are evaluated on the basis of

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i) 4:1 side slope for the above -ground portion of the landfill.
ii) 2:1 side slope for the below-ground portion of the landfill.
iii) Material balance for daily cover, liner and final cover material through excavation at site.
iv) Extra space around the waste filling area for infrastructural facilities
(b) Additional 30m land is acquired around the landfill to place infrastructure facilities.

6.0 LANDFILL PHASES

Considering Active life of landfill as 5years and Duration of one phase as 1 year, the Number of
phases is 5 assuming each phase extends from base to final cover. Hence, the volume of one phase is
(landfill capacity)/5.
a) Plan area of one phase = 180m x 360 m (approx.)
b) Number of daily cells = 365
c) Plan area of one cell /on the basis of 2.0m lift of each cell = 27 x 52 m (approx.)

7.0 LINER AND LEACHATE COLLECTION SYSTEM

7.1 Liner System

Composite liner consists of compacted clay liner (CCL) and the geomembrane, which provide more
protection and are hydraulically more effective than either type of liner alone.

A composite liner as a system comprised of two components:

i) An upper component consisting of a minimum of 30 mil flexible membrane liner (60 mil if high
density polyethylene (HDPE) is used); and
ii) a lower component consisting of compacted soil at least two feet deep with a sufficient hydraulic
conductivity. The design standards require that the leachate collection system be capable of
maintaining a hydraulic head of 30 cm or less within the landfill.

Bioreactor landfill requires more careful design in liner system due to its high moisture content and
leachate flow. Hence, a composite liner is the minimum requirement in this situation (Reinhart et al.,
2002).

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8.2 Leachate Evaluation

Assuming an Average Total Precipitation in Delhi of 750mm/year the peak leachate quantity (thumb
rule basis) = 200 m3 per day

a) Leachate Collection Pipes

Dia of HDPE pipes (perforated) = 18 cm
Spacing of pipe required (hydraulic analysis) = 22m
b) Leachate Holding Tank
Size of holding 3 days of leachate = 20 x 10 x 3 m

Calculation of Volume of Gas Produced

This being anaerobic reactor methane is generated.

The amount of methane generated is determined using the equation

610 139.5 210 522.5

So CH4 produced per tone of waste = 344.26 kg of CH4/tone of waste generated

= 688.52 tonne/day
CO2 generated per tone of waste = 856.550 kg of CO2/ tone of waste generated
= 1713.1 tonne /day
Total Amount of Gas generated per day = 2401.62 tonne /day

So the gas collection system should be designed to collect 2500 tonne per day after closure of land
fill. (*Source: Lecture Notes- Solid Waste Management)

9.0 CONVENTIONAL LANDFILLS VS BIOREACTOR LANDFILLS

The principal function that distinguishes bioreactor landfills from conventional landfills is leachate
recirculation (Pohland and Al-Yousifi.., 1994). In many instances, the primary motivation for
recirculating leachate is that it is an inexpensive means of treating leachate. Degradation times of the
order of 1 year would require a modularized landfill.

A conventional landfill site is an engineered waste disposal facility where garbage is deposited in the
ground compacted into a cell and covered with earth fill materials. Environmental controls are
incorporated into the engineering design of the facility to protect both the human and natural
environments. A Bioreactor landfill uses enhanced microbiological processes to transform and
stabilize the readily and moderately decomposable organic waste constituents within 5 to 10 years of
bioreactor process implementation. The bioreactor landfill significantly increases the extent of organic
waste decomposition, conversion rates, and process effectiveness over that would otherwise occur
within the landfill. Landfill stabilization means that the environmental performance measurement
parameters (i.e. landfill gas composition and generation rate and leachate constituent concentrations)
remain at steady levels, and should not increase in the event of any partial containment system failures
beyond 5 to 10 years of bioreactor process implementation.

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In a conventional (dry) landfill, the wastes are delivered to the landfill, spread out, compacted and
covered at the end of the day with a thin layer of soil, until a planned depth is reached, then the waste
is covered with clay as a final layer. The problem with conventional-dry landfills is that it takes
several decades (30-200 years) for the waste to fully decompose.

Also, liner failure could happen in conventional-dry landfill sometime in future, which can cause
serious groundwater contamination (Rosenberg, 2000).

10.0 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION

It is now time to seriously consider acceptance and adoption of the bioreactor landfill as a key strategy
for deriving short and long-term environmental, regulatory, monetary and societal benefits. The
bioreactor option is a direct result of engineering and building a new generation of environmentally
sound landfills; it provides environmental security while permitting and encouraging rapid
stabilization of the readily and moderately decomposable organic waste components. It is hoped that
the emerging bioreactor landfill technology will point our solid waste industry towards taking a new
look at a very effective option to manage our waste disposal

REFERENCES

Bioreactor Landfill for Sustainable Solid Waste Landfill Management. Faculty of Engineering,
Kasetsart University.
Pohland, FG and Al-Yousifi, B. Design and Operation of Landfills for Optimum Stabilization and
Biogass Production. Water Science Tech. 30, pp.117-124 (1994).
Qian, X., Koerner, R.M. and Gray, D.H., Geotechnical aspects of landfill design andconstruction.
Prentice-Hall Inc., New Jersey. 717p. (2002).
Reinhart, D.R, McCreanor, P.T. and Townsend, T. “The bioreactor landfill – its status and future”,
Waste Management and Research, ISWA, No.30, pp. 172 – 186 (2002).
Rosenberg, D. Turning Waste into Energy.Environmental, Engineering journal, New Jersey. pp. 124-
152 (2000).
Walsh, P. and O’Leary, P., “Bioreactor Landfill Design and Operation”. Waste Age. (June 2002).
www.wasteage.com.
http://envfor.nic.in/divisions/cpoll/delpolln.html
http://www.kunlad.net/BIOREACTORLANDFILLHOMEWORK.doc
http://www.no-burn.org/action/delhi.html
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2007/20070307/delhi.htm

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