Characterization of Fine Fractions from Landfill Mining - A Case Study of a Landfill Site in Belgium

Within the framework of the “EU Training Network for Resource Recovery through Enhanced Landfill Mining – NEW-MINE”, about 370 Mg of waste were excavated from a landfill site in Mont-Saint-Guibert, Belgium. The fine fractions (material < 90 mm) from the excavated waste were obtained through the implementation of a ballistic separation process. An amount of fine fractions of about 80 wt.% (raw state) was obtained with respect to the total amount of excavated material. The material composition, physico-chemical properties and particle size distribution of the fine fractions were determined and analyzed. Parameters such as bulk density and water content were determined regarding the physico-chemical properties. Grouped material fractions, such as combustibles, inert, metals, agglomerated fines < 10 mm, fine fractions < 10 mm and others, were employed for the classification of the material composition in raw and dry states. This information is of critical importance for designing an efficient mechanical processing for the fine fractions.