Cost-effective leachate treatment using aerobic granular sludge technology

Landfill leachate is a complex wastewater composed of organic carbon, nitrogen compounds, dissolved solids, and heavy metals. Leachate characteristics may differ depending on the waste landfilled, climate conditions, and landfill age. Because of the toxic and recalcitrant nature of its constituents, landfill leachate wastewater (LLW) must be treated before being released to the environment. There is an urgent need to develop robust and energy and cost efficient leachate treatment processes that can handle the high organic carbon and high ammonia loadings of leachate while be able to withstand the toxicity and inhibition that may arise due to the heavy metals of leachate.
In this two-year project, Dr. Liu’s research group at the University of Alberta will collaborate with the City of Edmonton, to develop and optimize aerobic granular sludge (AGS)-based nitritation/denitritation/anammox treatment processes for energy efficient high-strength LLW treatment. Pilot-scale bioreactors will be operated and optimized for enhanced ammonia reduction efficiency, improved energy efficiency and reduced environmental impacts for LLW treatment. The focus will be to determine the optimal conditions for LLW treatment and select the operation conditions and control strategies most favorable for developing a robust microbiome within bioreactors.

Faculty Supervisor:

Yang Liu

Student:

Partner:

City of Edmonton

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services; Public administration

University:

University of Alberta

Program: