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Performance-based landfill design: development of a design component selection matrix using GIS and system simulation models

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Environmental Geology

Abstract

Designing environmentally safe and economically feasible landfills can be a challenging task due to complex interactions that need to be taken into account between landfill size, waste and site characteristics. The main focus of this study is, by interfacing the geographic information systems (GIS) with system simulation models (SSM), to develop a methodology and a landfill design component selection matrix that can enable the determination of landfill design components providing the desired performance with minimal design details. In this paper, the conceptual framework and applications of the developed methodology demonstrating the selection of landfill design components that are suitable for the existing site conditions are presented. The conceptual model defines design variables, performance criteria and design components of a landfill. GIS and SSM are used to handle the site-specific data and to evaluate the landfill performance, respectively. Results indicate that the landfills having the same design characteristics show different performance under different site conditions; therefore, a landfill design that is technically and economically feasible should be selected on the basis of performance.

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Abbreviations

GIS:

Geographic information systems

SSM:

System simulation models

MSWLF:

Municipal solid waste landfill

MRD:

Maximum rate of waste deposition

CDS:

Cover drainage system

LCS:

Leachate collection system

K :

Hydraulic conductivity

P :

Annual precipitation

C max :

Maximum chloride concentration

MCL:

Maximum concentration level

q o :

Rate of leachate production from waste

q c :

Leachate collection (or drainage) rate

q l :

Leachate leakage rate from the landfill bottom

A :

Landfill area

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Turkish Scientific and Technical Research Council for supporting the project (Project Code: İÇTAG Ç-047), and for supporting the Ph.D. studies of Ms. Başak Tarhan.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental Engineering, Middle East Technical University, Inonu Bulvari, 06531, Ankara, Turkey

    Başak Tarhan & Kahraman Ünlü

Authors
  1. Başak Tarhan
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  2. Kahraman Ünlü
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kahraman Ünlü.

Appendix (Figs. 3, 4 and 5)

Appendix (Figs. 3, 4 and 5)

Fig. 3
figure 3

Figures of the landfill designs with high-infiltration/evapotranspiration cover (C1)

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Fig. 4
figure 4

Figures of the landfill designs with low-infiltration cover (C2)

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Fig. 5
figure 5

Figures of the landfill designs with intermediate-infiltration cover (C3)

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Tarhan, B., Ünlü, K. Performance-based landfill design: development of a design component selection matrix using GIS and system simulation models. Environ Geol 49, 133–147 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00254-005-0073-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00254-005-0073-4

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