Results of the Study of Emerging Technologies for MSW Landfills Landfill Compliance Study

1. Results of the Study of Emerging Technologies for MSW Landfills Landfill Compliance Study 18 November 2003 presented toCalifornia Integrated Waste Management Board byGeoSyntec Consultants, Inc. Walnut Creek ,California

2. Presenters / Collaborators • Julie Holmes Ryan, P.E. Project Engineer GeoSyntec Consultants • Michael Minch, P.E., G.E. Senior Engineer GeoSyntec Consultants • Edward Kavazanjian, Ph.D., P.E., G.E. (not present) Senior Consultant GeoSyntec Consultants

3. Task 7 Goals • Identify emerging technologies in waste management to be considered for application in California. (Section 2.1) • Develop a set of topics by which all technologies may be evaluated. (Section 2.2) • Perform extensive review of technologies, using existing documentation as primary resource. (Sections 3 through 6) • Summarize applicability of each technology for application in California. (Sections 3 through 6 and Section 7) • Recommend technologies which are most likely candidates for application in California. (Section 1)

4. Task 7 GoalsIdentify Emerging Technologies • Pre-Disposal Waste Treatment Technologies • Mechanical Pre-Processing • Biological Pre-Treatment • Thermal Pre-Treatment • Landfill Design Technologies • Anaerobic Bioreactor Landfill • Aerobic / Semi-aerobic Landfill • Alternative Base Containment Systems • Alternative Cover Systems • Landfill Remediation Technologies • Landfill Gas Applications • Passive Aeration • Air Injection • Leachate Recirculation • Landfill Mining • Industry Standards, Certifications, and Guidance Documents

5. Task 7 GoalsTopics for Evaluation of Technologies • General Description • Detailed Description and Process Options • Global Application and Case History • Research Studies • Technologies in Combination • Application in California • Evaluation of Benefits and Barriers

6. Task 7 SummarySummary of Technologies

7. Task 7 GoalsEvaluating Applicability to California • Environmental Benefit • Climate • Population Density • Community Participation and/or Acceptance • Land-use and Availability • Material Availability (i.e., construction materials) • Waste Composition • Compliance with Existing Regulations • Compatibility with Existing Waste Management Practices

8. Task 7 SummaryApplication in California

9. Application in CaliforniaComparison to Cross-Media Inventory • A review of the Cross-Media Inventory (Task 2) indicates the following technologies have been implemented or proposed at landfill sites in California. • Mechanical Pre-Processing: 5 landfills • Biological Pre-Treatment: 3 landfills • Anaerobic Bioreactor: 3 landfills • Alternative Base Containment System: 3 double liner systems, 1 white liner • Alternative Cover System: 1 exposed geomembrane cover system • Landfill Gas Applications: 20 landfill gas-to-electricity systems, 4 landfill gas-to-medium BTU fuel systems, 3 landfill gas-to-electricity systems. • Leachate Recirculation: 3 landfills • Landfill Mining: 1 landfill

10. Application in CaliforniaMost Likely Technologies for Application • The following technologies are recognized to have considerable potential for successful implementation in California • Mechanical Pre-Processing • Anaerobic Bioreactor Landfills • Alternative Base Containment Systems (especially electrically conductive geomembranes and encapsulated GCLs) • Alternative Cover Systems (especially non-barrier cover systems) • Landfill Gas Applications (especially for medium BTU applications) • Leachate Recirculation • Industry Standards, Certification and Guidance Documents

11. Application in CaliforniaMechanical Pre-Processing • Combination of separation and shredding • Cost Effective • Increases compaction and reduces volume of landfilled material • Accelerates waste stabilization

12. Application in CaliforniaAnaerobic Bioreactor Landfill • Most applicable in less arid areas • New cell designed to recirculate leachate and collect gas during filling • Enhanced waste stabilization • Generates additional airspace

13. Application in CaliforniaAlternative Base Containment Systems • Electrically conductive geomembrane: • cost effective • increased liner reliability • Encapsulated GCL: • increased shear strength of GCL system • most applicable to canyon applications

14. Application in CaliforniaAlternative Cover Systems • Non-barrier covers: • developed for arid climates • equivalent or superior infiltration control • enhanced waste stabilization • Delayed closure: • applicable in arid climates where stabilization is ongoing after disposal

15. Application in CaliforniaLandfill Gas Applications • LFG-to-Medium BTU fuel: • minimal processing required • comparatively low capital cost • economic incentives

16. Application in CaliforniaLeachate Recirculation • Improved leachate quality • Enhanced waste stabilization • Requires appropriate LCRS to control head on the liner system

17. Application in CaliforniaIndustry Standards, Certification and Guidance Documents • Standards and Certifications: • may simplify regulatory compliance and oversight • Guidance Documents: • methods recommended, not required • provides owners with framework for design • assists regulators in ensuring quality • provides consistency in methods

18. QUESTIONS