Method and apparatus for improving degradation of an unsecured landfill

A leachate collection apparatus for improving the degradation, stabilization, detoxification and volume reduction of refuse within an unsecured landfill comprising:

• at least one well disposed along the perimeter of the landfill and in the direction of the flow of groundwater so as to extract the groundwater and provide hydraulic control over the groundwater proximate the landfill;
• distribution means for passing a liquid medium through the refuse within the landfill, the distribution means connected to at least one of said wells;
• at least one drainage pipe positioned within the landfill so as to collect leachate, the drainage pipe is also connected to the distribution means;
• monitoring means for measuring the chemical constituents present in the refuse within the landfill;
• means for injection of additives into the landfill to alter the chemical constituents present in the refuse to degrade the refuse;
• and
• means for recycling a portion of the collected leachate through the refuse within the landfill through the distribution means.

A method for improving degradation, stabilization, detoxification and volume reduction of refuse within an unsecured landfill comprising:

• installing at least one well proximate to the landfill in the direction of the flow of groundwater so as to provide control over the groundwater proximate the landfill;
• extracting the groundwater from the well to substantially prevent flooding of the landfill and provide a source of moisture for use within the landfill;
• storing a portion of the groundwater in a groundwater storage tank to provide a source of moisture for use within the landfill;
• monitoring the groundwater to determine the level of contamination present within the groundwater to distinguish highly contaminated from non-highly contaminated groundwater;
• separating the highly contaminated groundwater from the non-highly contaminated groundwater;
• distributing the non-highly contaminated groundwater across the surface of the landfill to maintain the moisture content within the landfill at a desired level;
• collecting leachate from the landfill using a plurality of drainage pipes;
• storing a portion of the leachate in a leachate storage tank;
• monitoring the leachate so as to determine the chemical constituents of the refuse within the landfill;
• injecting additives into the leachate so as to alter the chemical constituents of the refuse within the landfill and increase the rate of degradation;
• recirculating the leachate within the landfill;
• treating the excess leachate using physical, chemical or biological processes so as to alter the composition of the leachate to a level acceptable for discharge into groundwater, surface water bodies or transport to an off-site industrial waste treatment facility;
• and
• treating the excess groundwater using physical, chemical or biological processes so as to alter the composition of the groundwater to a level acceptable for discharge into groundwater, surface water bodies or transport to an off-site waste treatment facility.