Landfill Operational Techniques in the Presence of Elevated Temperatures

Elevated temperatures in municipal solid waste landfills can produce obnoxious odors, toxic gases, and aggressive leachates, as well as damage gas extraction, leachate collection, interim cover, and composite liner systems. They also can result in expensive remedial measures and warrant permanent closure of the facility. Several factors can lead to elevated landfill temperatures, including air ingress, partially extinguished surface fires, reactive wastes, and spontaneous oxidation. Landfills typically experience changes to gas composition and flow, leachate chemistry and volume generation, and surface movement. Based on observed management, operation, and maintenance of elevated temperature facilities, various operational techniques are proposed for isolating and containing the elevated temperatures in a landfill.