Aerobic
In the presence of oxygen.
Aggregate
A substance formed from
different materials.
Anaerobic
In the absence of oxygen.
Acetogenic
phase
The initial period during the
decomposition of refuse within a landfill when the conversion of organic
polymers, such as cellulose, to simple compounds, such as acetic and other
short-chain fatty acids, dominates and little or no methanogenic activity takes
place.
Biogas
A combustible gas created by
anaerobic decomposition of organic material, composed primarily of methane,
carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulphide.
Biosolids
Sewage sludge, a nutrient rich
organic product generated during the treatment of domestic sewage in a treatment
facility.
Calorific
value
The quantity of heat produced by
fuel when completely combusted, expressed in joules per kilogram.
Combustion
Burning, when something combines
with oxygen to form heat, light and flame.
Compost
As a verb to decay, as a noun,
organic matter which has decayed.
Digestion
The process of keeping matter in
contact with a liquid to soften or disintegrate it.
Gasification
To convert to a gas.
Incineration
The process of burning something
to ashes.
Inert
Not chemically reactive, stable.
Leachate
Liquid that has percolated
through or emerged from solid waste, and that contains dissolved and/or
suspended liquids and/or solids and/or gases.
LFG
Landfill gas
Methanogenic
phase
A later stage of anaerobic
decomposition of refuse, when methane is produced in significant quantities.
Methane
An odourless inflammable gas,
formed from decaying organic matter. It has 21 times the greenhouse effect of
carbon dioxide.
Waste
Any material, whether it is a
liquid, solid or a contained gas, that is unwanted and undervalued and
discarded or discharged by its holder.
