Pressure field tests to infer permeability of waste bodies under in situ aeration

Abstract

This paper presents the preliminary results of field trials conducted to investigate the air permeability of waste at the Braambergen landfill located near the city of Almere, the Netherlands. Pressure variations were monitored in surrounding wells during air extraction tests using differential pressure transducers. The magnitude of the pressure response to gas abstraction indicates suitability of the method to investigate waste permeability and the swiftness of the pressure response indicated good connectivity within the investigated well field. The obtained air permeability values showed a trend where permeability decreased as the distance between two wells increased, suggesting higher permeability in closer proximity to a well. Although the values are comparable to those reported in other landfills, the differences can be explained by the influence of site-specific factors on permeability.