Physical-chemical processes as an alternative to pre-and post-treatment of landfill leachate

The aim of this article was evaluate the implementation of the ammonia stripping as a pretreatment for landfill leachate and the use of the coagulation-flocculation-sedimentation process for the removal of refractory organic compounds present in a landfill leachate pretreated in an activated sludge system. The rates of ammonia nitrogen removal ranged between 3.5 and 3.6 mg NH3-N.L-1.h(-1) in a lab scale reactor (working volume of 20 L) equipped with a mechanical stirrer and 3.2 and 3.3 mg NH3-N.L-1.h(-1) in a lab scale aerated column (working volume of 10 L). It was possible to achieve removals above 90% of refractory organic compounds (measured as apparent color) applied coagulant dosage about 400 mg Fe+3.L-1 and 400 mg Al+3.L-1.