TITLE:
Root Analogous Solid Waste Management System (RA-MSW for Biocells)
AUTHORS:
Ahmad Qasaimeh
KEYWORDS:
Root Analogy RA; Municipal Solid Waste Management; Biogas; Leachate; Biocell; 5 R’s Cycle
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Environmental Protection,
Vol.3 No.8,
August
21,
2012
ABSTRACT: Root Analogous Municipal Solid Waste System “RA-MSW” is a novel management system that manages waste, biogas, and leachate in bioreactor landfill. Different than conventional disposal at landfills, waste is penetrated by synthetic roots that serve dual mission for biogas collection and leachate recirculation. RA-MSW roots are permeable hydropho- bic polymer material that are formed on-place or prefabricated at factory from recyclable material available on the dumping area. Since the material is hydrophobic, it does not contain water in the voids providing more space for gas transport and collection. The roots are also interchangeably used for leachate recirculation where the parameters of wa- ter content, nutrients, pH, and temperature are optimized to enhance biogas production simultaneously with leachate treatment. RA-MSW provides new approach of waste management and control; it has new virtues of landfill operation; new material medium for biogas collection; new biocell design configuration; new manipulation for leachate and biogas. The approach adds new merits for solid waste management, bio-energy utilization, and the concept of 5 R’s cycle for MSW management.