Landfill Engineering Definitions & Glossary of Terms

If you are interested in what it takes to build a landfill and the terminology behind this process, then you might want to take a look at the following list. Here is a short landfill engineering definition glossary of terms A to Z. 10. Transfer Station This isn’t always necessary, but it will sometimes be needed if the landfill becomes full. A landfill engineer needs to know what is needed to get this facility in place and up and running. A transfer station is generally formed out of concrete and consists of 3 walls and a roof. 9. Solid Waste Combustor Not all landfills use a solid waste combustor, due to the strict regulations required. However, if one is going to be used, a landfill engineer needs to make sure the combustor follows the rules of the US Clean Air Act. The emissions from a solid waste combustor are extremely toxic. In order to reduce the amount of air pollution created by these machines, it’s important that the regulations be followed very closely. 8. Permit Amendment Engineers can’t simply go out and start building a landfill anywhere; permits are required. If any changes need to be made to the original plan for the landfill, then a permit amendment needs to be applied for. 7. Materials Recovery Facility This is often referred to as the MRF. Engineers need to know if one of these is necessary when they are engineering landfills. The MRF is a building where the separating of recyclables takes place. They are generally processed in this same facility, so the building needs to be big enough to allow for the sorting, crushing, and baling of recyclables to take place. 6. Liner The ground where a landfill is built needs to be equipped with some type of liner, whether it’s synthetic or natural. The liner will prevent the leachate from seeping deep into the ground. It will also keep the landfill gas from escaping. Clay soil can be compacted tight enough to make a natural liner. Synthetic liners are often made from a special kind of plastic. Engineers are responsible for making sure this liner is properly installed. 5. Leachate This is the term used to refer to the liquid that has been drained off of the solid waste. Engineers need to determine where this liquid is going to be directed so that it doesn’t sink into the ground and contaminate drinking water or other resources utilized by the public. 4. Landfill Gas Monitoring, reporting, migration, control, and recovery of LFG are a constant chore for landfill engineers. Landfill gas is generally half methane and half carbon dioxide, both of which are greenhouse gases and need to be closely watched. Many landfills collect the gas coming off of the decomposing waste and use it for fueling engines, creating electricity, and heating. 3. Hydrogeological Investigations Hydrogeology involves studying the movement of groundwater beneath the soil, through the soil, and throughout the rocks. Engineers are in charge of making sure the landfill that is going to be built won’t contaminate any groundwater or pose any health risks to the public. They need to know how far down the water table is, where the water flows too, and how porous the ground is before building of the landfill can begin. 2. Geotechnical Investigations Samples of the soil are taken to see what the contents in it are. There are numerous tests that have to be run on the soil before the landfill can be built. 1. Buffer Zone Different states require the buffer zone between the landfill and any property owners surrounding the landfill to be a certain distance apart from one another. The landfill engineer needs to know the required distance for the buffer zone before building ever begins. Had you ever heard of any of the landfill engineering definition glossary of terms A to Z listed above?