Systems and methods for temperature control and heat extraction from waste landfills

A process of controlling the temperature in a waste mass when the waste mass has at least a first, second, third, and fourth life cycle stage of biochemical processes using a heat exchanger, comprising:

• using the heat exchanger which is fluidly coupled with a first circulation fluid and a second circulation fluid to transfer a first level of thermal energy from the second circulation fluid to the first circulation fluid during the first life cycle stage of biochemical processes of the waste mass,
• using the heat exchanger to transfer a second level of thermal energy from the first circulation fluid to the second circulation fluid during the second life cycle stage of biochemical processes of the waste mass,
• using the heat exchanger to transfer a third level of thermal energy from the second circulation fluid to the first circulation fluid during the third life cycle stage of biochemical processes of the waste mass, and
• using the heat exchanger to transfer a fourth level of thermal energy from the first circulation fluid to the second circulation fluid during the fourth life cycle stage of biochemical processes of the waste mass,
• where the first circulation fluid circulates in a closed-loop fluid circulation pipe due to operation of a circulation pump coupled to the closed-loop circulation pipe and the closed-loop circulation pipe is encased in at least one heat transfer well which is filled at intervals with a highly conductive granular backfill.

A method of temperature control and heat exchange in a waste mass comprising:

• routing at least one heat transfer well in the waste mass;
• channeling a closed-loop fluid circulation pipe into the at least one heat transfer well such that the at least one heat transfer well provides a thermal encasement for the closed-loop fluid circulation pipe, the at least one heat transfer well filled at intervals with a highly conductive granular backfill;
• circulating a first circulation fluid in the closed-loop fluid circulation pipe using a circulation pump operatively coupled to the closed-loop circulation pipe;
• and
• exchanging heat between the first circulation fluid and a second circulation fluid using a heat exchanger, the heat exchanger having an inlet and outlet for the first circulation fluid and being hydraulically coupled to provide fluid circulation to the closed-loop circulation pipe at the inlet and outlet for the first circulation fluid and having an inlet and outlet for the second circulation fluid.