Straightforward assessment of horizontal leachate injection system using frequency domain electromagnetic induction method

Abstract

In municipal solid waste landfills operating as bioreactor process, leachate recirculation is the key process forincreasing moisture content in order to optimize the waste biodegradation. Given that liquid flows exhibit a complexbehaviour in very heterogeneous porous media, in situ monitoring methods are required to assess horizontal leachateinjection system. Among the physical measurements available, the authors propose a prompt geophysicalinvestigation using Frequency Domain Electromagnetic Method (FDEM). During leachate injection event, thistechnique highlights changes in electrical conductivity of the waste deposit cell induced by variations of watercontent. Measurement procedure and preliminary monitoring results are presented applied to a waste deposit celloperated as a bioreactor. First results suggest that this technique is suitable for a quick assessment of horizontalleachate injection systems at industrial scale.