Case Studies

LANDFILL LEACHATE PCB REMOVAL

Treatment Requirements

The Leachate from the hazardous landfill has PCBs present in the Leachate from a specific cell of the landfill. Preseparation of the PCBs prior to further treatment has helped the landfill to reduce their overall cost for treatment by not introducing the PCB into the larger waste stream.

The project objective was to separate and remove PCBs down to a level of 0.1 ppb. This was the limit of detectability at the time.

The Ultrafilter employs PDF Membranes with a pore size of 0.03 microns. The membrane modules utilize non clogging low maintenance tubular elements. The Ultrafilter consistently produces a PCB result less than 0.1 ppb.

Treatment Options

Prior to the use of the Ultrafilter carbon was utilized for removal of the PCBs that were typically present in the range of 0.1 ppm. The cost of carbon was high and the ability to mechanically separate the PCBs eliminated the high operating cost of carbon.

The landfill chose to leave carbon in place as a polisher. The cost of carbon was reduced by 97%.

The Ultrafilter runs unattended for long periods of time between cleanings and an operator looks in on the system once per week.

The system design includes a feed tank and a Ultrafilter connected to the feed tank. The permeate from the Ultrafilter is directed through the carbon and is discharged to the overall plant Wastewater Treatment System.

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