Physical chemical treatment of leachate from landfill

Abstract The results of a bench scale chemical‐physical treatment of sanitary leachate are reported. The use of lime in combination with ferrous sulphate and polyelectrolyte gave a 39% COD removal. The initial concentrations are in the range of 4000 ‐8500 mgl‐1 and the BOD/COD ratio 0.10–0.2, indicating the non ‐biodegrada‐bility of the organic compounds present. By using alum with polyelectrolyte, a lower removal was achieved compared with that of a lime system, but still quite high being in the range of 31%. The organics removed from the leachate are of the highest reported in literature indicating the effectiveness of the chemical treatment.