The role of aerobic activity on refuse temperature rise: II. Experimental and numerical modelling

The biodegradation of a model waste is studied in a 300-litre pilot. The ai m is to better understand the role of biochemical processes on the temperat ure rise, in relation to landfill management protocols. The variations of t emperature and gas composition distributions in the waste are accurately me asured and analysed. The observations confirm that biological consumption o f the oxygen diffusing through the waste is the main source of heat. A theo retical modelling of coupled heat and oxygen transfers in fresh refuse is t hen proposed. Numerical results are in good agreement with experimental dat a, but it appears that biochemical kinetics should account for the carbon a vailability limitation. Finally, a prediction of the temperature field in a landfill is presented.