Landfill Leachate Treatment

Treatment of high COD, ammonia and heavy-metal-laden landfill leachate via RO, biological N-removal and advanced oxidation.

Treatment of high COD, ammonia and heavy-metal-laden landfill leachate via RO, biological N-removal and advanced oxidation.

Landfill leachate treatment manages the extremely concentrated effluent from sanitary landfills generated by rainfall and waste moisture. Mandatory under Turkish regulation for all municipal operators.

Leachate is among the most concentrated industrial effluents: COD 5,000-80,000 mg/L (age-dependent), BOD 1,500-30,000 mg/L, ammonia (NH4-N) 500-3,000 mg/L, heavy metals (Zn, Pb, Cd, Cr, Ni, Hg). Old landfills: BOD/COD <0.1.

Arsistek leachate solutions: ammonia stripping, biological NDN (MBR), reverse osmosis (RO), advanced oxidation (Fenton, ozone). Process mix varies by landfill age.

Leachate Changes with Landfill Age

Landfill age fundamentally changes leachate composition:

Young (0-5 yr): Acidogenic. High BOD (10,000-30,000), BOD/COD 0.5-0.7, organic acids — biology suitable.
Mid-age (5-15 yr): Methanogenic transition. BOD drops (2,000-5,000), refractory organics rise, ammonia high.
Old (15+ yr): BOD/COD <0.1. Humic acids dominate. Biology inadequate; AOP + membrane needed.

Therefore single-process design fails — hybrid expandable plant needed.

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mg/L Max COD

mg/L Ammonia

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RO Efficiency

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Year Landfill Age

Ammonia Stripping

Ammonia reaches 500-3,000 mg/L. Standard nitrification cannot handle this (inhibition). Lime to pH 11 converts NH4+ to NH3, stripped by air.

80-95% removal. Stripped NH3 captured with H2SO4 as ammonium sulfate fertilizer.

MBR + RO Hybrid

Modern leachate gold standard: MBR biology + RO membrane. MBR high MLSS handles tough effluent; RO captures refractory COD and salts.

RO permeate is potable quality. Concentrate returns to landfill or crystallized (ZLD).

Full Process Flow

Modern leachate plant in 6 stages:

Equalization: Screening + seasonal buffer
Ammonia stripping: pH 11, air stripping column
Biological MBR: NDN, MLSS 12,000-15,000 mg/L
Reverse osmosis: Multi-stage (DTRO/STRO/RO), 75-85% recovery
Advanced oxidation: Fenton/ozone polish for old landfills
Concentrate management: Reinjection or crystallization

Result: discharge standards + potable-quality permeate. ZLD optional.

Leachate Solution Advantages

Age-Adaptive Hybrid Modular process adapting to young/old landfills.

NH3 Stripping + Fertilizer Ammonia recovered as ammonium sulfate fertilizer.

Multi-Stage RO DTRO/STRO/RO — 85%+ permeate recovery.

Fenton/Ozone AOP For refractory organics in old landfills.

ZLD Option Concentrate crystallization for zero liquid discharge.

Municipal-Focused Engineered for metro sanitary landfill operations.

Leachate Treatment References

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Leachate Solution for Sanitary Landfill

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Yes. All Turkish sanitary landfills have impermeable liner and must collect/treat leachate. Per Sanitary Landfill Regulation.

Yes, significantly. Young: biology dominates (high BOD). Old: RO and AOP needed. Design must consider 30-year landfill evolution.

Two main methods: 1) Recirculate to landfill — controlled in wet season, most common. 2) Crystallization for ZLD — high CAPEX but full compliance.

Leachate flow correlates with rainfall. In Turkey wet season (Nov-Mar) flow rises 3-5x. 30-60 day equalization pond required.

Mostly via long-term contracts (BOT, BOO, DBO) with private operators. Ministry and metro municipality supervise. Arsistek can operate under these contracts.

Sanitary landfill license (Ministry), wastewater discharge permit, air emission permit (for stripping), EIA report. Design follows these permits.