Determination of Hydro-Mechanical Characteristics of Biodegradable Waste

354 Pages·2017·13.21 MB·English

by  Kiran Nousheen Arif

Determination of Hydro-Mechanical Characteristics of
Biodegradable Waste- Laboratory and Landfill Site
Kiran Nousheen Arif
To cite this version:
Kiran Nousheen Arif. Determination of Hydro-Mechanical Characteristics of Biodegradable Waste-
Laboratory and Landfill Site. Earth Sciences. Université Joseph-Fourier - Grenoble I, 2010. English.
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HAL Id: tel-00556000
https://theses.hal.science/tel-00556000
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UNIVERSITE DE GRENOBLE
THESE
préparée au
Laboratoire d’étude des Transferts en Hydrologie et Environnement (LTHE)
dans le cadre de
L’Ecole Doctorale Terre, Univers, Environnement

pour obtenir le grade de
DOCTEUR DE L’UNIVERSITE DE GRENOBLE
Spécialité : Sciences de la Terre, de l’Univers et de l’Environnement
(Earth, Universe and Environmental Sciences)

présentée par
Kiran NOUSHEEN ARIF
intitulée
Determination of Hydro-Mechanical Characteristics of
Biodegradable Waste- Laboratory and Landfill Site
Soutenue le 20 Avril 2010 devant la commission d’examen
Mounir BOUASSIDA Rapporteur Professeur, ENI Tunis
Guy MATEJKA Rapporteur Professeur, ENSI Limoges
Jean-Pierre GOURC Directeur de thèse Professeur, LTHE
Philippe DELMAS Examinateur Professeur, CNAM Paris
Franck OLIVIER Examinateur Ingénieur, ECOGEOS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

One year of Masters leading to more than three and a half years of doctoral work have finally
culminated into the point where I can express my gratitude to those who made it possible for me to get
through what I set out for. Needless to say how tiring this phase becomes especially towards its end, of
essence is the fact that it ended well, giving way to, hopefully, a promising life and new chapters of
life.
Those having gone through the tedious doctoral work know how important a role one’s supervisor
plays. Say it my luck or whatever anyone wishes to name it, I had Mr. Jean-Pierre GOURC as my
supervisor. The man, being a giant in the field, taught me a lot. He helped me wade through the
difficult times, at times pushing and at times encouraging. I am profoundly obliged to him for all the
support he lent me.
I am highly thankful to the jury members specially the referees, Mr. Mounir BOUASSIDA and Mr.
Guy MATEJKA, for their detailed and sincere remarks that they managed to send back while the time
was of essence. The valuable comments from the examiners, Mr. Philippe DELMAS and Mr. Franck
OLIVIER, were of great help enabling me to further improve my report. I stand indebted to them,
particularly to Mr. OLIVIER, my erstwhile senior colleague at the laboratory, with whose gracious
support I could incorporate the new version of ISPM model into my thesis report, an important
contribution to the scientific community of my domain.
Guillaume STOLTZ, a senior colleague and a friend, illuminated me with technical and pedagogical
reasoning in long and tireless discussions. Had it not been for his well-disposed nature, my efforts
would have increased manifold in order to comprehensively grasp the subject. I am deeply grateful to
him.
As my work encompassed experimental work all along, I needed the help of technical staff on regular
basis. For facilitating my work, Mr. Henri MORA was always there. Without him, it would have been
extremely difficult to successfully complete a hectic schedule of experiments. I appreciate him for
everything he did for me.
It is difficult to name everyone who eased my way to this point, however, this note of gratitude would
be incomplete if I don’t mention my friends at my workplace: Lucile TARTARD, Elisabeth CANET,
Matthias STAUB, and Anne-Juile TINET, to name a few. Indeed the off and on badinage is
indispensable to lighten up the otherwise usually dry and sombre research environment. Their moral
support and our confabs left unforgettable memories in my mind. I wish them all the success in their
endeavours.
Hailing from a distant place, far from the family of origin and culture, a logical outcome is nostalgia
which is itself quite difficult to bear if one falls a victim to it. Owing to a very supportive and active
Pakistani students community, I didn’t have to face anything of that sort. Be it a local festivity or our
traditional events, we were always together. I wish them all the best of luck. Their combined efforts to
put forward the true image of Pakistan, as progressive, tolerant, and moderate country are highly
appreciative.
I take this opportunity to thank the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan with whose funding I
have been able to come abroad and complete my studies. It has been a worthwhile experience and I am
sure that with the broadened vision and developed competencies, I’ll be able to serve my country in a
better manner.
Last but not the least, I’d like to express my gratitude to my family: my husband for his non-
judgmental and tolerant attitude, and my kids, Khuzemah and Rawahah, whose lovable and innocent
faces, gestures and talk brushed off all the cumulated fatigue of the usually tiring day.

DEDICATION

To my mother
Due to whom I am where I am today

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER I
I- INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................. 3
I-1 TYPES OF SOLID WASTES ......................................................................................................... 3
I-1.1 MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE .......................................................................................................... 4
I-1.2 MULTI-CRITERION MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE COMPOSITION ................................................... 6
I-1.3 FOUR STAGE BACTERIAL DECOMPOSITION OF MSW ................................................................ 9
I-1.4 EFFECTS OF DEGRADATION ON BIOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF MSW ..................................... 12
I-1.4.1 Composition ...................................................................................................................... 12
I-1.4.2 Temperature & pH ............................................................................................................ 13
I-1.4.3 Leachate ............................................................................................................................ 13
I-1.4.4 Biogas ............................................................................................................................... 15
I-2 LANDFILLS .................................................................................................................................. 16
I-2.1 LANDFILL CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION ........................................................................... 17
I-2.1.1 Waste Compaction and Pre-Consolidation ....................................................................... 19
I-2.1.2 Bottom Lining System ...................................................................................................... 22
I-2.1.3 Cover System (Cap Liner) ................................................................................................ 24
Different types of cover systems .............................................................................................. 25
I-2.2 POST-CONSTRUCTION BEHAVIOUR .......................................................................................... 27
I-3 WASTE TREATMENT MODES RELATED TO LANDFILLING ........................................ 28
I-3.1 MECHANICAL BIOLOGICAL PRE-TREATMENT (MBP) .............................................................. 29
I-3.1.1 Control of Waste Input and Pre-treatment before Disposal .............................................. 30
I-3.1.2 Potential Advantages of MBP ........................................................................................... 31
I-3.2 IN SITU AEROBIC TREATMENT ................................................................................................. 34
I-3.2.1 Fundamentals and Objectives of Aerobic Stabilisation .................................................... 34
I-3 .2.1.1 Low Pressure Aeration ............................................................................................. 35
I-3 .2.1.2 Over Suction Method ................................................................................................ 35
I-3.2.2 Processes and Effects of Aerobic Stabilisation ................................................................. 36
I-3 .2.2.1 Effects on the Water Path ......................................................................................... 36
I-3 .2.2.2 Effects on the Gas Path ............................................................................................. 36
I-3.2.3 Future Applications of Aerobisation ................................................................................. 36
I-3 .2.3.1 Processes ................................................................................................................... 36
I-3 .2.3.2 Stabilisation Criteria ................................................................................................. 37
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I-3 .2.3.3 GHG Emissions and CO Emission Trading ............................................................. 37
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I-3.3 BIOREACTOR LANDFILLS .......................................................................................................... 37
I-3.3.1 Anaerobic Bioreactor Landfill .......................................................................................... 38
I-3.3.2 Hybrid (Aerobic-Anaerobic) Bioreactor Landfill ............................................................. 39
I-3.3.3 Potential Advantages of the Bioreactor Landfill ............................................................... 40
I-4 STATUS OF MSW MANAGEMENT IN PAKISTAN .............................................................. 41
I-4.1 DISPOSAL TREND IN PAKISTAN ................................................................................................ 41
I-4.2 MSW COMPOSITION IN PAKISTAN ........................................................................................... 42
I-4.3 CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVES OF THE PRESENT STUDY .............................................................. 42

CHAPTER II
II- PHYSICAL MECHANICAL AND HYDROLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF MUNICIPAL
SOLID WASTE ................................................................................................................................... 46
II-1 PRESENTATION OF THE MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE MEDIUM ...................... ERROR!
BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED.
II-2 PHYSICAL PARAMETERS ...................................................................................................... 48
II - 2.1 LEACHATE ............................................................................................................................. 49
II- 2.1.1 Liquid Density ................................................................................................................ 49
II- 2.1.2 Dynamic Viscosity .......................................................................................................... 49
II - 2.2 BIOGAS .................................................................................................................................. 50
II- 2.2.1 Gas Density ..................................................................................................................... 50
II- 2.2.2 Dynamic Viscosity .......................................................................................................... 51
II - 2.3 SOLIDS DENSITY .................................................................................................................... 51
II-3 STATE PARAMETERS ............................................................................................................. 51
II - 3.1 DEFINITIONS OF VARIOUS DENSITIES ASSOCIATED WITH MSW ........................................... 52
II - 3.2 DEFINITIONS OF MOISTURE CONTENT IN REFERENCE WITH THE WASTE MASS ................... 54
Moisture Content at Field Capacity .............................................................................................. 55
II - 3.3 DEFINITION OF POROSITY AND CORRESPONDING VOLUMETRIC CONTENT PARAMETERS ... 56
II- 3.3.1 Total Porosity.................................................................................................................. 56
II- 3.3.2 Volumetric Liquid Content ............................................................................................. 57
II- 3.3.3 Volumetric Gas Content ................................................................................................. 58
II- 3.3.4 Degree of Saturation ....................................................................................................... 58
II- 3.3.5 Interrelation of the State Parameters ............................................................................... 58
II-4 MECHANICAL PARAMETERS .............................................................................................. 59
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II - 4.1 SETTLEMENT .......................................................................................................................... 59
II - 4.2 SHEAR STRENGTH PARAMETERS ........................................................................................... 61
II-5 FLUID TRANSPORT PARAMETERS ..................................................................................... 62
II - 5.1 DEFINITION OF FLUID TRANSPORT PARAMETERS ................................................................. 62
II- 5.1.1 Darcy‟s Law for Saturated and Unsaturated Conditions ................................................ 62
II- 5.1.2 Intrinsic Permeability (at Saturation) .............................................................................. 63
II- 5.1.3 Fluid Permeability (Unsaturated State) ........................................................................... 64
II - 5.2 PREVIOUS RESEARCH ON FLUID TRANSPORT PARAMETERS ................................................. 65
II- 5.2.1 Permeability/Hydraulic Conductivity Measurements ..................................................... 66
II- 5.2.2 Effects of Degradation on Physical Parameters of MSW ............................................... 68
II- 5.2.3 Anisotropy of Permeability in Relation with MSW ....................................................... 70
II - 5.3 FLOW MODELS FOR SATURATED AND UNSATURATED POROUS MEDIA ............................... 71
II- 5.3.1 Laws of Intrinsic Permeability ........................................................................................ 71
II - 5.3.1.1 Carman-Kozeny Model .......................................................................................... 71
II - 5.3.1.2 Application of Carman-Kozeny‟s Model to the Gas Permeability ......................... 72
II- 5.3.2 Relative Permeability Models ......................................................................................... 72
II- 5.3.3 Application of Permeability Models to MSW Landfills ................................................. 73
II-6 OEDOPERMEAMETER, HYDRO-MECHANICAL PARAMETERS’ MEASUREMENT
AND THE PRINCIPLE APPLIED ................................................................................................... 75
II - 6.1 APPARATUS DESCRIPTION ..................................................................................................... 75
II- 6.1.1 Complimentary Equipment ............................................................................................. 76
II- 6.1.2 Sample Preparation ......................................................................................................... 77
II - 6.2 PHYSICAL AND STATE PARAMETERS ..................................................................................... 77
II- 6.2.1 Volumetric Moisture Content ......................................................................................... 77
II- 6.2.2 Gas Porosity Measurement through Pycnometer (gas saturation) .................................. 78
II- 6.2.3 Total Porosity Measurement ........................................................................................... 80
II- 6.2.4 Conclusions on Total Porosity Measurement ................................................................. 81
II - 6.3 GAS PERMEABILITY MEASUREMENT ..................................................................................... 81
II- 6.3.1 Permanent Flow Method ................................................................................................. 82
II- 6.3.2 Transitory Flow Method ................................................................................................. 83
II - 6.4 PERMEABILITY MEASUREMENT WITH WATER AT SATURATED CONDITION ......................... 84
II- 6.4.1 At Constant Head ............................................................................................................ 84
II- 6.4.2 At Variable Head with Back Pressure ............................................................................ 85
II- 6.4.3 Head Losses within the Apparatus.................................................................................. 86

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