Hydrological modelling of a recycling facility and landfill

Abstract

A parsimonious lumped model for simulating a catchment composed of a
landfill and recycling facility were developed. The modelling results showed
an acceptable conformity with the observed values with NSE of 0.54 and R2 of
0.56 in hourly simulations, though the results were characterized by a general
underestimation. The results of the daily accumulated values showed a greater
compliance with the observed values with NSE of 0.69 and R2 of 0.736,
indicating that similar simulations of a dynamically complex catchments can
be developed in daily timesteps with a great confidence. The catchment model
has been coupled with a reservoir model to simulate the leachate storage ponds
downstream the catchment. The time simulated storage of the leachate ponds
was aligning with the observed recordings with NSE of 0.96. Simulation of the
expected climate change were made to deduce the required expansion of the
ponds at the future climate and the required additional volumes were outlined.
It is recommended to optimize the leachate ponds storage by improving the
treatment plant capacity, or by continuous inflow/outflow control. The future
covering of the landfill and subsequent impact on the surrounding area were
modelled being a part of the facility future plan for climate adaptation.

Popular Abstract

Simplified hydrological modeling of a complex catchment such as landfills is shown to be possible.

In order to simulate the flow of water through a landfill and its surrounding area of different land use (the facility), a simplified lumped model that is based on a conceptual approach is done to avoid detailed modeling of the catchment, due to the lack of reliable catchment data and the limited resources. The model was used to simulate the flow from the catchment and the integrity of the model outcome is compared against the observed (recorded) flow that was done in-house by the facility. The model did show acceptable results in daily simulations and “fair” in the hourly simulations. The catchment model has been later added to a reservoir model in order to simulate the volume storage of the facility leachate collection ponds, and to study the system ability to handle large and extreme rainfall events. The results have shown that the current system is not sufficient to handle large events and that there exists a current risk of overflow of the storage ponds. Recommendations for expansion of the leachate ponds have been made to prepare the facility to cope with the expected climate change. For each increase in temperature and precipitation, a corresponding recommended additional volume is proposed to aid the facility in their future plan for expansion. A major part of the landfill is proposed to be closed with a cover that prevents the infiltration of the rainfall to the landfill, and the cover is expected to induce an overland runoff flow from the surface of the landfill. Therefore, a parallel study has been made to simulate the runoff volume expected and recommendations for volumes are done for the current and the future climate change. This simplified approach to model complex cathements is shown to be promising and producing acceptable results, which opens the door for future approaches to model complex catchments with limited data and limited modeling resources.

• author: Tawfik, Mazen
• supervisor: Johanna Sörensen
• organization: Division of Water Resources Engineering
• course: VVRM01 20212
• year: 2022
• type: H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
• subject: Technology and Engineering
• keywords: Parsimonious approach, Lumped modelling, Surface water, Landfill, Leachate water, Storage reservoirs.
• publication/series: TVVR22/5002
• report number: 22/5002
• ISSN: 1101-9824
• language: English
• additional info: Examiner: Magnus Larson
• id: 9076143
• date added to LUP: 2022-03-07 11:09:56
• date last changed: 2022-09-14 10:39:39