Instrumentation of Two Experimental Sanitary Landfills

An experimental study of the behavior of sanitary landfills is reported. Two facilities are described: a simulated land-fill operated under laboratory conditions and a field landfill operated under natural environmental conditions. This paper emphasizes environmental control and temperature monitoring, although the complete study includes evaluation of liquid and gas pollutant generation. The simulated landfill is a laboratory lysimeter 6 feet square and 13 feet high. Temperature and precipitation controls are provided. Of particular concern is the minimization of heat flow through the tank's vertical walls, both in and out, due to temperature differentials between the refuse and the laboratory. The field facility is operated under natural environmental conditions. While the project is incomplete, the results of the temperature study indicate that refuse temperatures can exceed 150°F if the refuse remains aerobic. Once anaerobic, refuse temperatures are relatively constant and virtually independent of atmospheric temperature changes. It is concluded that, while temperatures can indicate the existence of an aerobic or anaerobic state in the refuse, they are not indicators of the expended landfill life. A summary of lysimeter gas and leachate data is presented.