Influence of oxygen flow rate on reaction rate of organic matter in leachate from aerated waste layer containing mainly incineration ash.

Abstract It is known that aeration reduces rapidly the concentration of organic matter in leachate. However, the oxygen flow rate required to attain a certain reaction rate of organic matter should be carefully estimated. In this study, using the oxygen ratio (the ratio of oxygen flow rate by aeration to oxygen consumption rate of waste layer) as a parameter, the reaction rate of organic matter in leachate from landfilled incineration ash and incombustible waste upon aeration was evaluated. Total organic carbon (TOC) in the leachate was reduced rapidly when the oxygen ratio was high. The decomposition rate exceeded the elution rate of TOC in the leachate from the waste layer for several days when the oxygen ratio was above 10 2 . The results indicate that the oxygen ratio can be used as a parameter for the aeration operation in actual landfill sites, to rapidly stabilize organic matter in leachate.