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Innovations in Recapping an Industrial Landfill
Strive for Sustainability Conference
Sue Lasdin Momberger, P.E., NYSDEC Division of Materials Management
with Dan Lang, Principal Hydrogeologist / Associate VP, Arcadis US, Inc
May 4, 2015
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Innovations in Recapping an Industrial Landfill
• New Case Study: Recapping CKD Landfill w/ Artificial Turf
• Why Recap a Landfill
• Some Cap Integrity O&M Concerns
• DEC Capping / Recapping Requirements
• Recapping Project Goals
• Recapping Project Activities
• Other Questions?
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New Case Study: Recapping CKD Landfill w/ Artificial Turf Former Holcim Cement Facility, Catskill, NY • Cement plant closed in 2012
• Plant demolition completed November 2014
• Recapping of Former Cement Kiln Dust (CKD) Disposal Area
• Main cell - ~34 acres; East cell - ~6 acres
• Originally approved for compacted-CKD cap system
• Closed in 2004 under NYSDEC Consent Order
• O&M included treating 150K gallons/day leachate
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Why Recap a Landfill • Lifespan exceeded (50 – 100 years)
• Loss of integrity due to inadequate O&M
o Excessive leachate to treat
• Environmental impacts
o Leachate seeps
o Groundwater / surface water / soil contamination
• Upgrade pre-Part 360 Cap to be more protective & save $
o Less rainwater infiltration, less leachate treatment
o Potentially decrease O&M costs
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Some Cap Integrity O&M Concerns • Ponding or tears due to settling of wastes / loss of liquids in
drums / earth movement
• Cracking or erosion due to fluctuations in air temperature /
precipitation / humidity
• Holes caused by plant roots / burrowing animals
• Degradation from sunlight / Chemical and biological
degradation
• Human activities: Excessive traffic / Vandalism
• Pre-current Part 360 caps may have been unlined or were
highly permeable
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DEC Capping / Recapping Requirements • Compliance:
Part 360 version in effect when landfill was constructed, or
Enforcement mechanism, e.g., consent order, or
Variance granted by DEC Central Office, for current Part
360 landfills
• Approval Documents, sent to DEC Regional Office:
Permit & Variance Applications & Conceptual Closure Plan
Final Closure Plan or Closure Plan Modification (Recap) (and Variance Application if not submitted with Permit Application)
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Recapping Project Goals
• Reduce infiltration at the CKD disposal area that recharges
the leachate mound in the waste mass.
• Re-grade landfill to improve drainage off of the recapping
system
• Eliminate groundwater flow through waste mass.
• Accelerate leachate mound decay with supplemental
leachate recovery wells
• Consolidate residual raw rock, inert materials and partially
processed products prior to recapping
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Recapping Project Activities
• Approval of Closure Plan Modification
o Justification included demonstration of design
equivalency to current Part 360 requirements, and
acquiring financial assurance for post-closure O&M
• Upgrade of the CKD disposal area cap to replace
inefficient compacted CKD cap
• Installation of a slurry wall to cut-off groundwater underflow
• Storm water improvements
• Supplemental leachate recovery
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Site Model
Swan Pond
EAST CELL
DIVERGING
FLOW
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East-West Cross Section
.
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Components of Remediation
Swan Pond
Coal Removal
Leachate Treatment
Removal Areas
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June-July 2014 - Slurry Wall Installation
• 2,700 feet long • Conventional trenching • Bentonite-clay-slag mix • Keyed into native clay • Depth range 12 to 40 feet
Slurry Wall Characteristics
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Cap Upgrade - Geomembrane and Subgrade Prior to Deployment
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Geomembrane Subgrade at On-cap Swale
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Geomembrane Liner Deployed Through On-cap Swale
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Sewing Prayer Seam on Turf Layer
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Broadcast Spreader Deploying Sand Ballast
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Sand Ballast Deployment with Sand Slinger and Brooming
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Overview of Liner and Turf Deployment
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Installing HydroBinder
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Hydrating HydroBinder
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July 2014
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August 2014
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September 2014
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October 2014
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November 2014
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April 2015
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Other Questions?
Also feel free to call me or email me:
Sue Lasdin Momberger, P.E.
NYS DEC Division of Materials Management
Bureau of Permitting and Planning
Beneficial Use, Medical Waste & Inactive Landfills Section
518-402-8678
Thank you!
