CPWM Waste Treatment Technologies and Disposal Methods 2

Question 1

What is the primary purpose of a leachate collection system in a sanitary landfill?

Accepted Answer

To capture liquid that percolates through waste and prevent groundwater contamination

Answer

To aerate the waste mass

Answer

To generate biogas for energy recovery

Answer

To compact waste layers more efficiently

Question 2

Which thermal treatment technology uses oxygen-deficient high-temperature conditions to convert waste into syngas?

Accepted Answer

Gasification

Answer

Incineration

Answer

Pyrolysis

Answer

Plasma arc treatment

Question 3

Aerobic composting differs from anaerobic digestion primarily in that aerobic composting:

Accepted Answer

Requires the presence of oxygen throughout the process

Answer

Produces methane as a primary output

Answer

Occurs only in sealed reactors

Answer

Generates more leachate than anaerobic digestion

Question 4

A Subtitle D landfill in the US must have a composite liner system consisting of:

Accepted Answer

A geomembrane over two feet of compacted clay with hydraulic conductivity ≤1×10⁻⁷ cm/s

Answer

Two HDPE geomembranes with no soil component

Answer

Only compacted native soil at least 5 feet thick

Answer

Bentonite panels without geomembrane overlay

Question 5

Which waste treatment method is most appropriate for treating highly concentrated organic liquid hazardous waste?

Accepted Answer

High-temperature incineration

Answer

Solidification/stabilization

Answer

Aerobic land farming

Answer

Dilution and surface discharge

Question 6

What is the main environmental concern associated with open burning of municipal solid waste?

Accepted Answer

Emission of dioxins, furans, and particulate matter into the atmosphere

Answer

Excessive noise pollution

Answer

Overproduction of leachate

Answer

Rapid depletion of groundwater resources

Question 7

In a waste-to-energy (WTE) facility, the role of the air pollution control (APC) system is to:

Accepted Answer

Remove pollutants such as acid gases, dioxins, and particulates from flue gas before atmospheric release

Answer

Increase the heating value of incoming waste

Answer

Generate additional electricity from exhaust heat

Answer

Condense water vapor to recover leachate