Waste Treatment Technologies and Disposal Methods Flashcards
7 cards from real CPWM practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Waste Treatment Technologies and Disposal Methods flashcards as text
What is the primary purpose of a leachate collection system in a sanitary landfill?
Answer: To capture liquid that percolates through waste and prevent groundwater contamination
Leachate collection systems capture contaminated liquid that migrates through the waste mass to protect underlying groundwater.
Which thermal treatment technology uses oxygen-deficient high-temperature conditions to convert waste into syngas?
Answer: Gasification
Gasification converts carbonaceous waste into syngas (carbon monoxide and hydrogen) under high temperatures with limited oxygen.
Aerobic composting differs from anaerobic digestion primarily in that aerobic composting:
Answer: Requires the presence of oxygen throughout the process
Aerobic composting requires oxygen to support microbial decomposition, while anaerobic digestion occurs without oxygen.
A Subtitle D landfill in the US must have a composite liner system consisting of:
Answer: A geomembrane over two feet of compacted clay with hydraulic conductivity ≤1×10⁻⁷ cm/s
EPA Subtitle D requires a composite liner of an HDPE geomembrane directly overlying at least two feet of compacted soil with hydraulic conductivity no greater than 1×10⁻⁷ cm/s.
Which waste treatment method is most appropriate for treating highly concentrated organic liquid hazardous waste?
Answer: High-temperature incineration
High-temperature incineration destroys organic hazardous compounds through thermal oxidation and is the preferred method for concentrated organic liquid hazardous wastes.
What is the main environmental concern associated with open burning of municipal solid waste?
Answer: Emission of dioxins, furans, and particulate matter into the atmosphere
Open burning releases toxic dioxins, furans, heavy metals, and fine particulates, making it a significant air quality and public health hazard.
In a waste-to-energy (WTE) facility, the role of the air pollution control (APC) system is to:
Answer: Remove pollutants such as acid gases, dioxins, and particulates from flue gas before atmospheric release
The APC system in a WTE facility treats combustion gases to remove regulated pollutants before stack discharge.