The role of aerobic activity on refuse temperature rise, I. Landfill experimental study

Abstract

The temperature field in a landfill situated in the south of France has been characterized and analysed. Sixty-four probes, measuring temperature and gas composition, were placed directly in municipal solid waste during the filling of a 200 000-m 3 cell and the spatial and temporal temperature variations recorded. The average temperature increase was about 20°C. It occurred within the first 20 days. The thermal properties of the waste (conductivity and diffusivity) were measured with a thermal shock probe. A heat balance shows the predominant role of oxygen diffusion and aerobic reactions in the rising temperature.