Use of slag for the construction of the drainage layer at the landfill Schwanebeck.
Published on 15 March 2019
Germany
Brandenburg
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About this good practice
The leachate of landfills is commonly contaminated. Hence, leachate has to be captured and further processed before discharged into the groundwater. The material used for constructing the drainage layer is usually natural gravel (16/32 mm). However, the German regulation also allows using wastes as material for the drainage layer when the long-term chemical and mechanical stability is given.The quality has to fulfill the state of the art defined in the “Bundesqualitätsstandards”
The landfill Schwanebeck was recently expanded. As material for the drainage layer (0.5 m) slags (electric arc furnace slags, 16/32 mm) were applied. Before using the slags, several experiments had be conducted to characterize the material and to prove long-term stability. This includes the long-term chemical behavior regarding high and low pH, determination of minerals and to contaminants (overall content, leachate). Furthermore, long-term mechanical performance (fragmentation, performance during high pressures) and the impact of the leachate on this factors was examined. The results underlined the chemical and mechanical stability. Thus, the slag could be used for the drainage layer. Overall about 5000 Mg of natural gravel could be substituted by the use of slag. the ecological footprint is reduced and the landfill operator benefits as slags are cheaper than natural products. Both characteristics of the slag and leachate have to be considered when testing their long-term stability.
The landfill Schwanebeck was recently expanded. As material for the drainage layer (0.5 m) slags (electric arc furnace slags, 16/32 mm) were applied. Before using the slags, several experiments had be conducted to characterize the material and to prove long-term stability. This includes the long-term chemical behavior regarding high and low pH, determination of minerals and to contaminants (overall content, leachate). Furthermore, long-term mechanical performance (fragmentation, performance during high pressures) and the impact of the leachate on this factors was examined. The results underlined the chemical and mechanical stability. Thus, the slag could be used for the drainage layer. Overall about 5000 Mg of natural gravel could be substituted by the use of slag. the ecological footprint is reduced and the landfill operator benefits as slags are cheaper than natural products. Both characteristics of the slag and leachate have to be considered when testing their long-term stability.
Resources needed
The overall benefit is that fewer natural resources are need (0,3 m³/m²). In terms of human resources (work input for construction there is no difference. The financial resource needed for the material is about 5 €/m², about 20 € less than for natural minerals. Proper analysis is about 7000 €.
Evidence of success
This practise reduces extraction of natural resources and reduces the ecological footprint of the construction of the landfill. Wastes can be used, thereby the volume of landfill needed for the deposit of such waste is reduced.
Potential for learning or transfer
This practice is replicable for landfills where metallurgic industry is located in the vicinity. However, as already mentioned above, a proper characterisation of the slag is necessary in order to guarantee long-term stability and functionality of the slag-based drainage layer.
The practice contributes to the following articles and annexes in the EU Directive 31/1999 on the landfill of waste, of applicability to landfills throughout the EU.
- Article 3: prevention, recycling and recovery of waste
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Organisation
Landesamt für Umwelt Brandenburg
Germany
Brandenburg
Contact