HINKLEY CENTER-FLORIDA POLY RESEARCH PROJECT

ABSTRACT

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In light of the development of Florida’s Numeric Nutrient Criteria, this project targets the Hinkley Center’s 2018 Research Agenda under the headings, “On-site options for treating landfill leachate” and “leachate management”. This Hinkley Center funded project addresses the need for a demonstrated method to reduce total nitrogen (TN), but in particular, biodegradable organic nitrogen (bON) and recalcitrant organic nitrogen (rON). These species have impacts for landfill maintenance and the continued ability to utilize the commonly practiced leachate treatment by publicly owned treatment works (POTWs). Ammonia-nitrogen (NH3-N) and humic substances represent the greatest nitrogen burden. This project is focused on demonstration of a novel remediation strategy for landfill leachate. This US patent filed technology, Synergistic Chemical Oxidative and Photocatalytic Enhancer System (SCOPES) is an economical, efficient and sustainable treatment for a wide range of chemical and microbiological contaminants. These studies will provide characterization of the leachate organic matter (LOM) over an extended period with variations in environmental conditions, including rainfall. Remediation studies with complete analytical characterization will demonstrate the difference between conventional remediation techniques and our innovative SCOPES with respect to advanced chemical/photocatalytic oxidation of LOM components. The studies aim to show greater efficiency and a cost reduction compared to competing technologies (e.g. reverse osmosis and algae based membrane bioreactors). They will also provide mechanistic and processing parameters valuable to the stakeholders.