Mineral and artificial waterproofing system

The base and internal slopes of the pouring cells will be completely waterproofed by means of a waterproofing system supported on a prepared sub-base. For each type of controlled deposit, specific conditions are required for the natural terrain on which the controlled deposit is located.

The following images describe the units that make up the bottom waterproofing of each type of controlled deposit, as well as the technical requirements for these units.

Leachate collection and transport system

The leachate extraction system is designed and built in order to collect all the liquids that accumulate on the waterproofing system as a consequence of the percolation of rainwater infiltrated through the waste and the loss of moisture inherent to the waste.

The main elements that usually constitute the leachate collection and transport system include the following: drainage layer, sump, submersible pumps, pumping pipes, leachate pumping house, leachate collection tube and transport pipes to the leachate pond.

Biogas collection and treatment system

Biogas is a gas saturated with water vapor, formed from the decomposition of organic matter, carried out by bacterial action and under anaerobic conditions.

The main components of biogas are methane (CH), carbon dioxide (CO) and small traces of other compounds, although the composition varies depending on the nature of the waste deposited.

The methane present in landfill biogas "Landfill (garbage)") is considered one of the most important sources of greenhouse emissions, both in the European Union and worldwide. Thus, the reduction of diffuse emissions of landfill biogas constitutes a highly efficient measure for the reduction of these gases. For this, it is necessary to implement biogas capture, treatment and elimination systems.

On the other hand, biogas represents an important source of energy thanks to its high methane content. Its energy recovery allows the obtaining of electrical and/or thermal energy, which contributes to the improvement of the carbon footprint by replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy sources.

Characteristic elements present in a controlled deposit degassing system include: collection wells, perimeter and horizontal collection systems, regulation stations, the primary and secondary transportation network and the aspiration and combustion plant.

Rainwater collection and collection system

The design of the drainage network of a controlled reservoir must include a system for the control of runoff waters generated in the development areas and in the external basins intercepted by it.

The objective is to prevent rainwater from the internal and external basins from infiltrating into the mass of waste and thus generating leachates that create a strong environmental and economic impact related to the management of the controlled deposit.

To achieve this, structures such as: perimeter system of permanent ditches, system of temporary internal ditches for the exploitation of cells or vessels, systems for containment and separation of runoff during exploitation, permanent evacuation systems for the final internal sealing surfaces and temporary storage systems (rafts or tanks) must be designed and built.

The design must meet hydrological and hydraulic criteria for civil works and comply with the requirements set out in current legislation on controlled deposits. Usually the main drainage structures are designed for a flow rate associated with a maximum daily rainfall for return periods between 25 and 100 years.

The rainwater storage pond will have a storage volume that allows irrigation activities, supply to the firefighting system and other needs within the management of the controlled reservoir.

Below are images of drainage structures:.

In the operation phase of the controlled deposit, the most relevant factors are the correct deposition, compaction and coverage of the waste. At the same time, the management of leachate and biogas effluents is a critical aspect to guarantee that there are no effects on the environment.

In the final density of a controlled deposit, compaction plays a determining role in its optimization. There are 4 factors that significantly influence initial compaction, regardless of the type of machine used: thickness of the waste layer, number of passes over the same layer, slope of the layer or surface and humidity of the waste. Compaction is usually carried out with waste compacting machines or also called “kickstands”, because the pads present in their metal wheels, together with the own weight of the machinery, produce a compacted – crushed effect necessary for the homogenization and reduction of the volume of the waste.

In the operation phase, the waste covering operations carried out to achieve the following objectives are also very important: minimizing the production of leachate by favoring surface runoff versus infiltration, avoiding gas emissions or blown into the mass of waste and reducing the visual impact.

Likewise, during this stage of operation, slope re-profiling activities must be carried out to control and prevent surface runoff from generating infiltration into the waste mass. An activity that must be carried out continuously is the control of surfaces that are suffering differential settlements to correct slopes and guarantee correct management of runoff waters.

After the operation stage, the definitive closure of the controlled deposit is carried out. The most relevant objective of this type of action is to avoid emissions to the environment and guarantee the landscape and environmental integration of the closed surfaces.

Below are images of sealing operations in a controlled warehouse. Mineral units and synthetic units are usually installed that have drainage and waterproofing functions. Finally, landscape recovery and integration units are installed.

After the closure is carried out, the post-closure surveillance and maintenance period begins, in which environmental surveillance and maintenance activities must be carried out on all the infrastructure of the controlled deposit. Likewise, during this period, effluent treatment activities (biogas and leachate) must continue to be carried out.

The period of the post-closure phase during which the operating entity will be responsible for the controlled deposit will be set by the competent authority taking into account the time during which the facility may entail a significant risk to human health and the environment. In no case may this period be less than 30 years as established by Royal Decree 1481/2001.

Mineral and artificial waterproofing system

The base and internal slopes of the pouring cells will be completely waterproofed by means of a waterproofing system supported on a prepared sub-base. For each type of controlled deposit, specific conditions are required for the natural terrain on which the controlled deposit is located.

The following images describe the units that make up the bottom waterproofing of each type of controlled deposit, as well as the technical requirements for these units.

Leachate collection and transport system

The leachate extraction system is designed and built in order to collect all the liquids that accumulate on the waterproofing system as a consequence of the percolation of rainwater infiltrated through the waste and the loss of moisture inherent to the waste.

The main elements that usually constitute the leachate collection and transport system include the following: drainage layer, sump, submersible pumps, pumping pipes, leachate pumping house, leachate collection tube and transport pipes to the leachate pond.

Biogas collection and treatment system

Biogas is a gas saturated with water vapor, formed from the decomposition of organic matter, carried out by bacterial action and under anaerobic conditions.

The main components of biogas are methane (CH), carbon dioxide (CO) and small traces of other compounds, although the composition varies depending on the nature of the waste deposited.

The methane present in landfill biogas "Landfill (garbage)") is considered one of the most important sources of greenhouse emissions, both in the European Union and worldwide. Thus, the reduction of diffuse emissions of landfill biogas constitutes a highly efficient measure for the reduction of these gases. For this, it is necessary to implement biogas capture, treatment and elimination systems.

On the other hand, biogas represents an important source of energy thanks to its high methane content. Its energy recovery allows the obtaining of electrical and/or thermal energy, which contributes to the improvement of the carbon footprint by replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy sources.

Characteristic elements present in a controlled deposit degassing system include: collection wells, perimeter and horizontal collection systems, regulation stations, the primary and secondary transportation network and the aspiration and combustion plant.

Rainwater collection and collection system

The design of the drainage network of a controlled reservoir must include a system for the control of runoff waters generated in the development areas and in the external basins intercepted by it.

The objective is to prevent rainwater from the internal and external basins from infiltrating into the mass of waste and thus generating leachates that create a strong environmental and economic impact related to the management of the controlled deposit.

To achieve this, structures such as: perimeter system of permanent ditches, system of temporary internal ditches for the exploitation of cells or vessels, systems for containment and separation of runoff during exploitation, permanent evacuation systems for the final internal sealing surfaces and temporary storage systems (rafts or tanks) must be designed and built.

The design must meet hydrological and hydraulic criteria for civil works and comply with the requirements set out in current legislation on controlled deposits. Usually the main drainage structures are designed for a flow rate associated with a maximum daily rainfall for return periods between 25 and 100 years.

The rainwater storage pond will have a storage volume that allows irrigation activities, supply to the firefighting system and other needs within the management of the controlled reservoir.

Below are images of drainage structures:.

In the operation phase of the controlled deposit, the most relevant factors are the correct deposition, compaction and coverage of the waste. At the same time, the management of leachate and biogas effluents is a critical aspect to guarantee that there are no effects on the environment.

In the final density of a controlled deposit, compaction plays a determining role in its optimization. There are 4 factors that significantly influence initial compaction, regardless of the type of machine used: thickness of the waste layer, number of passes over the same layer, slope of the layer or surface and humidity of the waste. Compaction is usually carried out with waste compacting machines or also called “kickstands”, because the pads present in their metal wheels, together with the own weight of the machinery, produce a compacted – crushed effect necessary for the homogenization and reduction of the volume of the waste.

In the operation phase, the waste covering operations carried out to achieve the following objectives are also very important: minimizing the production of leachate by favoring surface runoff versus infiltration, avoiding gas emissions or blown into the mass of waste and reducing the visual impact.

Likewise, during this stage of operation, slope re-profiling activities must be carried out to control and prevent surface runoff from generating infiltration into the waste mass. An activity that must be carried out continuously is the control of surfaces that are suffering differential settlements to correct slopes and guarantee correct management of runoff waters.

After the operation stage, the definitive closure of the controlled deposit is carried out. The most relevant objective of this type of action is to avoid emissions to the environment and guarantee the landscape and environmental integration of the closed surfaces.

Below are images of sealing operations in a controlled warehouse. Mineral units and synthetic units are usually installed that have drainage and waterproofing functions. Finally, landscape recovery and integration units are installed.

After the closure is carried out, the post-closure surveillance and maintenance period begins, in which environmental surveillance and maintenance activities must be carried out on all the infrastructure of the controlled deposit. Likewise, during this period, effluent treatment activities (biogas and leachate) must continue to be carried out.

The period of the post-closure phase during which the operating entity will be responsible for the controlled deposit will be set by the competent authority taking into account the time during which the facility may entail a significant risk to human health and the environment. In no case may this period be less than 30 years as established by Royal Decree 1481/2001.