Abstract
Treatment experiments for mature landfill leachate were conducted by using combined aged refuse bioreactor (ARB) process and
sulfate radical oxidation. In the ARB process, the effects of wet/dry ratios, hydraulic loading, and influent introduction time on
contaminant removal were investigated. In the oxidation process, Na2S2O8 was activated by heat to generate powerful oxidants,
such as sulfate radicals, to oxide residual contaminants in the effluent. The removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD), ammonia
nitrogen, and color were investigated by changing the oxidant dosage, wastewater pH, and temperature. Experiment results showed
that the combined process was an efficient treatment pathway for mature landfill leachate. The optimum working conditions of the
ARB process were as follows: 1:5 to 1:8 wet/dry ratios, 35 L·m−3·d−1 to 45 L·m−3·d−1 hydraulic loadings, and 3 h to 7 h continuous
introduction time. The optimum working conditions of the sulfate radical oxidation process based on thermal activation were as
follows: 45 C to 60°C, 90 mmol/L to 150 mmol/L oxidant dosage, and pH 3 to 4. By combining ARB with sulfate radical oxidation,
COD, ammonia nitrogen, and color reduction could be enhanced to 96%, 92%, and 100%, respectively.