Zeolite and Activated Carbon as Catalysts on Leachate Clarification

Improper solid waste management worldwide has increased the negative impacts of landfills due to the production of methane, carbon dioxide, and leachate wastewater. In the present work, granular activated carbon (GAC), zeolite (Ze), and hydrogen peroxide were used for the purification of landfill leachate. Emphasis was given to decreasing operational costs for a big-scale advanced oxidation process. Thus, the aim was to evaluate the effect of oxidant and catalysts dosages, and different highly basic pHs. Up to 95% of dark brown colour and 100% of turbidity from landfill wastewater were removed. Based on the experimental findings, it is suggested that an application of activated carbon and hydrogen peroxide in a dosage ratio between 1.7 and 2.0 would be economically attractive in terms of reduced operation costs.