Application of tire chips to reduce the temperature of secondary geomembranes in municipal solid waste landfills.
Heat generated by the biodegradation of waste and other chemical processes in a landfill can potentially affect the long-term performance of landfill liner system, in particular that of a high-density polyethylene geomembrane. In a double liner system, the difference in leachate exposure and temperature might improve the long-term performance of the secondary geomembrane compared to that of the primary geomembrane. However, in some cases, the temperature is likely to be high enough to substantially reduce the service-life of the secondary geomembrane. This study explores the possible effectiveness of using tire chips as thermal insulation between primary and secondary liners to reduce the temperature of secondary geomembranes as compared to traditional soil materials. Heat and contaminant migration analyses are performed for cases with no insulation and for cases in which a layer of soil or tire chips has been used as thermal insulation between the primary and secondary liners. The effect of insulation on prolonging the service-life of a secondary geomembrane and, consequently, on contaminant transport through a liner system is examined for the case of a volatile organic compound (dichloromethane) found in landfill leachate. The study suggests that the use of tire chips warrants consideration, however there are other practical issues that require consideration in the detailed design and construction of landfill liners. Issues such as finite service-life, low working temperature, excessive settlement, ability to generate internal heat, leaching of tire chips and limitations in performing electrical resistivity leak detection tests are identified.
GeoEngineering Centre at Queen’s-RMC, Department of Civil Engineering, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada K7L 3N6. Azadeh.Hoor@genesisoilandgas.com
Azadeh
A
Hoor
R Kerry
RK
Rowe
D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D004867:Equipment Design; D060587:Groundwater; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D020959:Polyethylene / Q000737:chemistry; D012037:Refuse Disposal / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D013696:Temperature; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D020959:Polyethylene