Characterisation of VOCs emitted by open cells receiving municipal solid waste

This study gives relevant information on the variation of concentrations of certain volatile organic compounds (BTEX, alkanes, organochlorides and terpenes) emitted by open cells receiving municipal solid waste. These compounds represent a large fraction of the total trace components present in landfill gas. The VOC measurements were carried out in the atmosphere of an open landfill cell as a function of time and meteorological parameters, but also as a function of the activity of trucks unloading waste and compaction vehicles, in order to identify the factors that influence VOC emissions. Comparisons were performed systematically between the surface of the open cell and the corresponding mechanical activity. The measurements carried out during the course of the day highlighted the influence of air temperature and waste composition on VOC emissions while measurements of activity showed that the activity of fresh waste compaction vehicles is responsible for the highest VOC emissions. Such information is essential since most of the data in the literature relate to analyses of VOC traces in the biogas network and not in the air of the open cells as a function of different parameters (i.e. meteorological parameters, activity on the site). The highest VOC concentrations (in microg/m3) in the area of an open cell were obtained for: tetrachloroethylene (9810), toluene (8230), limonene (4550), m-xylene (3980) and trichloroethylene (3680). The results showed that the TWA values (the time-weighted average concentrations for up to an 8-h workday) established by INRS/France for the personnel in the station were complied with on the site studied.