Sensing, Analyzing, and Forecasting Evaluation (SAFE) System for Bioreactor Landfills

摘要：在过去的二十年里，使用现场传感系统和现场方法进行的与垃圾填埋场相关的岩土工程和地质环境研究大多集中在保护垃圾填埋场的边界--盖子和衬里。这项研究关注的是感知垃圾填埋场的“心脏”，垃圾占垃圾填埋场的99%以上。拟议的方法将使用从嵌入渗透毯子中的传感器收集的数据，这些传感器主要用于常规渗滤液再循环，以连续和实时地模拟废物的水力和热导率的变化。这一点至关重要，因为废物的水力和热学性质会因沉降、分解、老化和其他操作变量而发生变化。目前，我们对作为生物反应器运行的“巨型工厂”的长期行为和风险的了解有限。此外，建议的方法将通过使用实验室规模的垃圾填埋场物理模型进行受控实验室实验，然后进行全面的数值模拟，并在密歇根州的仪表化垃圾填埋场进行现场示踪剂测试来独立验证。研究活动结合使用成熟的现场传感器技术来测量含水率、液体压力、温度、垂直应力和沉降，并以独特的方式与复杂的计算机模型相结合，以开发能够感知、分析和潜在预测垃圾填埋场特定行为的知识库和初步框架，以优化垃圾填埋场的性能并降低环境风险。这样的传感器系统可以在任何垃圾填埋场轻松和一致地实施。这将预示着垃圾填埋场设计的下一个时代，将重点从边界转移到针对垃圾填埋场的整体方法。在研究活动的同时，垃圾填埋场液体注入系统的设计将与本科生的研究和课程开发交织在一起。将设计和建立一个易于使用的实验室规模的垃圾填埋场物理模型，使学生能够以以前不可能实现的方式观察、调查、控制液体收集和注入系统的水力并与之交互。相对紧凑的垃圾填埋场示范模型将为密歇根州立大学和其他大学教授垃圾填埋场设计或同等课程提供创新的教育工具。该项目将允许与垃圾填埋场监管机构和运营商合作，并将允许本科生参与现有的NSF资助的国际项目，提供一个独特的研究机会。它还将通过当地的高中项目为少数族裔和女性学生提供新的学习方向，这些项目服务于这些群体，这些群体积极与密歇根州立大学联系在一起。拟议研究的经济影响将随着我们潜在地减少与美国2000多个无处不在的活跃垃圾填埋场相关的长期风险和财务责任，以及回收材料找到一个额外的市场而产生。

ABSTRACT:During the past two decades, the majority of geotechnical and geoenvironmental research related to landfills using in-situ sensing systems and field methods has been focused on securing the boundaries of the landfills - caps and liners. This research concerns sensing the "heart" of landfills, which is the waste representing over 99% of the landfill. The proposed approach will use the data collected from sensors embedded in permeable blankets primarily used for routine leachate recirculation to continuously and in real-time model the changes in the hydraulic and thermal conductivities of waste. This is critical because hydraulic and thermal properties of the waste change as a result of settlement, decomposition, age, and other operational variables. Currently, we have only limited knowledge on the long-term behavior and risks associated with "megafills" operated as bioreactors. In addition, the proposed approach will be independently confirmed by doing controlled lab experiments using a lab-scale physical model of landfill followed by comprehensive numerical modeling and by conducting field tracer tests at an instrumented landfill site in Michigan.The research activities combine the use of well-established in-situ sensor technology to measure water content, liquid pressure, temperature, vertical stress, and settlement and sophisticated computer models in a unique manner to develop a knowledge base and preliminary framework for SAFE system capable of sensing, analyzing, and potentially forecasting landfill-specific behavior to optimize the performance of landfills and reduce environmental risks. Such sensor systems can be readily and consistently implemented at any landfill. This would herald the next era of landfill design, shifting the focus from boundaries to an overall landfill-specific approach.In parallel to the research activities, design of liquid injection systems for landfills will be interwoven with undergraduate research and course development. An easy to use labscale physical model of landfill will be designed and built to make it possible for students to observe, investigate, control, and interact with the hydraulics of liquid collection and injection systems in ways not previously possible. The relatively compact landfill demonstration model will provide an innovative educational tool for teaching landfill design or equivalent courses at Michigan State and other universities. This project will allow collaboration with landfill regulators and operators and will allow undergraduate students to participate in an existing NSF-funded international project, providing a unique research opportunity. It would also provide new learning directions for minorities and female students via local high school programs serving these groups that are actively tied to Michigan State University. The economic impacts of the proposed research will accrue with our ability to potentially reduce long-term risks and financial liabilities associated with over 2,000 ubiquitous active landfills in the U.S. and as recycled materials find an additional market.