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 aim is to better understand the role of biochemical processes on the temperature rise, in relation to landfill management protocols. The variations of temperature and gas composition distributions in the waste are accurately measured and analysed. The observations confirm that biological consumption of the oxygen diffusing through the waste is the main source of heat. A theoretical modelling of coupled heat and oxygen transfers in fresh refuse is then proposed. Numerical results are in good agreement with experimental data, but it appears that biochemical kinetics should account for the carbon availability limitation. Finally, a prediction of the temperature field in a landfill is presented.