Performance of sequential batch reactor coupled to physical system for landfill leachate treatment: A pilot scale design

Landfills are intended for the management and disposal of municipal solid waste, which produces high volumes of leachate. The complex nature of the landfill leachate leads to various serious problems regarding water quality and human health. Hence, landfill effluents need to be treated before discharge to foul sewers or natural resources to reduce their negative effects and to comply with regulatory standards. The present study focuses on both biological and physical treatments of leachate from a controlled landfill created in Fez, Morocco, using a sequential batch reactor (SBR) coupled with a filtration system. The filtering material was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results obtained show that the latter has a great capacity in the treatment of the effluent. Also, for leachate, high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with ultra-violet (HPLC-UV) indicated the presence of detergent, which led to the formation of foam. Many parameters such as temperature, pH, and cycle time were also considered for their effect on the treatment. The results demonstrated the reliability and the high performance of the developed treatment system as it allowed a total elimination of BOD5, 98% of the COD, a removal rate of 100% for NH4, 78% for NO2-, and 84% for NO3-. Besides, this treatment system seemed able to eliminate fecal contamination and pathogenic germs. Thus, the present sequential batch reactor proved efficacy for landfill leachate treatment on a pilot scale design, promoting its development for a properly designed and implemented full-scale commercial product.