Effect of the association of coagulation/flocculation, hydrodynamic cavitation, ozonation and activated carbon in landfill leachate treatment system

Abstract

Mature landfill wastewater is a complex effluent due to its low biodegradability and high organic matter content. Currently, mature leachate is treated on-site or transported to wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Many WWTPs do not have the capacity to receive mature leachate due to its high organic load leading to an increase in the cost of transportation to treatment plants more adapted to this type of wastewater and the possibility of environmental impacts. Many techniques are used in the treatment of mature leachates, such as coagulation/flocculation, biological reactors, membranes, and advanced oxidative processes. However, the isolated application of these techniques does not achieve efficiency to meet environmental standards. In this regard, this work developed a compact system that combines coagulation and flocculation (1st Stage), hydrodynamic cavitation and ozonation (2nd Stage), and activated carbon polishing (3rd Stage) for the treatment of mature landfill leachate. The synergetic combination of physicochemical and advanced oxidative processes showed a chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiency of over 90% in less than three hours of treatment using the bioflocculant PGα21Ca. Also, the almost absolute removal of apparent color and turbidity was achieved. The remaining CODs of the treated mature leachate were lower when compared to typical domestic sewage of large capitals (COD ~ 600 mg L−1), which allows the interconnection of the sanitary landfill to the urban sewage collection network after treatment in this proposed system. The results obtained with the compact system can help in the design of landfill leachate treatment plants, as well as in the treatment of urban and industrial effluents which contains different compounds of emerging concern and persistence in the environment.