Debra Reinhart, PhD, PE, BCEE
Pegasus Professor
Associate VP for Research and Scholarship
Director Faculty Cluster Initiative
Phone: 407-823-2315
E-mail: reinhart@ucf.edu
TEACHING
EGN 3704 Engineering and the Environment
EES 4202 Chemical Process Control
ENV 4341 Solid Waste Management
ENV 5335* Hazardous Waste Management
ENV 6055* Subsurface Contaminant Transport
ENV 4800* Air and Waste Management Design
ENV4300* Solid Waste Design
EGN 1006 Introduction to Engineering
*Developed at UCF
EDUCATION
PhD Georgia Institute of Technology
(Atlanta, Georgia). Environmental Engineering, March 1989.
MS Georgia Institute of Technology
(Atlanta, Georgia). M.S. in Sanitary Engineering, December 1980.
BS Florida Technological University
(Orlando, Florida). Engineering, Summa Cum Laude, June 1976.
Rollins College (Winter Park, Florida). September 1972 through May 1974.
RESEARCH AREAS OF SPECIALTY
Solid and Hazardous Waste Management Research
JOURNAL ARTICLES
- Podder, Aditi, Debra Reinhart, Ramesh Goel (2019). Integrated leachate management approach incorporating nutrient recovery and removal, Waste Management, 102: 420-431.
- Lozinski, Duncan, Stephanie C. Bolyard, Debra R. Reinhart, Amir Mohaghegh Motlagh (2019). Treatment of leachate organic matter through sunlight driven processes, Waste Management, Volume 94: 18-26.
- Bolyard, S. C, Debra R. Reinhart, David Richardson (2019). Conventional and fourier transform infrared characterization of waste and leachate during municipal solid waste stabilization, Chemosphere, 227: 34-42.
- Bolyard, S. C., Amir Motlagh, D. Lozinski, D.R. Reinhart (2019). Impact of organic matter from leachate discharged to wastewater treatment plants on effluent quality and UV disinfection, Waste Management, 88: 257-267.
- Kibler, K., D. Reinhart, C. Hawkins, A. Motlagh, J. Wright (2018). Food waste and the food-energy-water nexus: A review of food waste management alternatives, Waste Management, org/10.1016/j.wasman.2018.01.014
- Bolyard, S.C., Reinhart, D.R. (2017). Evaluation of leachate dissolved organic nitrogen discharge effect on wastewater effluent quality. Waste Management, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2017.03.025
- Maimoun, M.A., D. Reinhart, K. Madani (2016). An environmental-economic assessment of residential curbside collection programs in Central Florida, Waste Management, ttp://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2016.04.025
- Maimoun, M., K. Madani, D. Reinhart (2016). Multi-level multi-criteria analysis of alternative fuels for waste collection vehicles in the United States, Science of The Total Environment, doi:10.1016/j.wasman.2016.01.024
- Bolyard, S. and Debra R. Reinhart (2016). Application of landfill treatment approaches for stabilization of municipal solid waste, Waste Management, doi:10.1016/j.wasman.2016.01.024
- Reinhart, D., Stephanie Boyard, Nicole Berge (2016). Editorial: Grand Challenges – Management of municipal solid waste, Waste Management, 49 (2016) 1–2.
- Nazzal, D; Joseph Zabinski, Alexander Hugar, Debra Reinhart, Waldemar Karwowski, Kaveh Madani (2015), Introduction of Sustainability Concepts into Industrial Engineering Education: a Modular Approach, Advances in Engineering Education, ASEE, Vol 4(4).
- Jain, Pradeep, Jae Hac Ko, Dinesh Kumar, Jon Powell, Hwidong Kim, Lizmarie Maldonado, Timothy Townsend, Debra R. Reinhart (2014) Case study of landfill leachate recirculation using small-diameter vertical wells, Waste Management, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2014.07.005(http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0956053X14002906).
- Zheng, W., Lü, F., Bolyard, S. C., Shao, L., Reinhart, D. R., & He, P. (2015). Evaluation of monitoring indicators for the post-closure care of a landfill for MSW characterized with low lignin content. Waste Management 36(2): 222-229.
- Bolyard, S. C., D. Reinhart, S. Santra (2013) Behavior of Engineering Nanoparticles in Landfill Leachate, Environmental Science & Technology, 47(15): 8114-8122.
- Amini, Hamid R., Debra R. Reinhart, Antti Niskanen (2013) “Comparison of First-Order-Decay Modeled and Actual Field Measured Municipal Solid Waste Landfill Methane Data,” Waste Management, , 33(12): 2720-2728.
- Ko, J., Powell, J., Jain, P., Kim, H., Townsend, T., and Reinhart, D. (2013). “Case Study of Controlled Air Addition into Landfilled Municipal Solid Waste: Design, Operation, and Control” Hazard. Toxic Radioact. Waste, 10.1061/(ASCE)HZ.2153-5515.0000183.
- Maimoun , Mousa A., Debra R. Reinhart , Fatina T. Gammoh , Pamela McCauley Bush (2013) “Emissions from US waste collection vehicles, Waste Management, Volume 33(5), 1079–1089.
- Amini, Hamid R., Debra R. Reinhart, Kevin R. Mackie (2012) “Determination of first-order landfill gas modeling parameters and uncertainties,” Waste Management, 32 (2): 305-316.
- Timmons, J., Young Min Cho, Timothy Townsend, Nicole Berge and Debra Reinhart (2011), “Total Earth Pressure Cells for Measuring Loads in a Municipal Solid Waste Landfill,” Geotechnical and Geological Engineering, DOI: 1007/s10706-011-9452-7
- Amini, H., Debra R. Reinhart (2011) “Regional prediction of long-term landfill gas to energy potential,” Waste Management, 31(9-10):2020-2026.
- Sungthong, D. and Debra R. Reinhart (2011) “Control of hydrogen sulfide emissions using autotrophic denitrification landfill biocovers: engineering applications,” Frontiers of Environmental Science & Engineering in China, Volume 5, Number 2, 149-158, DOI:1007/s11783-011-0324-4.
- Xu, Qiyong, Timothy Townsend, Debra Reinhart (2010), “Attenuation of hydrogen sulfide at construction and demolition debris landfills using alternative cover materials,” Waste Management, 30, Issue 4, 660-666.
- Reinhart, D. R., Bolyard, S., N. D. Berge, S. Santra (2010) “Emerging contaminants: Fate of Nanomaterials in MSW Landfills,” Waste Management, 30 (11) , pp. 2020-2021.
- Batarseh, E. H., D. R. Reinhart, N. B. Berge (2010) “Sustainable Disposal of MSW: Post Bioreactor Landfill Polishing,” Waste Management, 30(11): 2170-2176.
- Moqbel, S., Debra Reinhart, Ruey-Hung Chen (2010) “Factors Influencing Spontaneous Combustion of Solid Waste” Waste Management, 30(8-9): 1600-1607.
- Gawande, N., D. Reinhart, G. Yeh (2009) “Modeling Microbiological and Chemical Processes in Municipal Solid Waste Bioreactor, Part I: Development of a three-phase Numerical Model BIOKEMOD-3P,” Waste Management, 30: 202-210.
- Gawande, N., D. Reinhart, G. Yeh, “Modeling Microbiological and Chemical Processes in Municipal Solid Waste Bioreactor, Part II: Application of Numerical Model BIOKEMOD-3P” Waste Management, 30: 211-218.
- Kumar, D., S. Jonnalagadda, P. Jain, N. Gawande, T. Townsend, and D. Reinhart (2009) “Field Evaluation of Resistivity Sensors for In Situ Moisture Measurement in a Bioreactor Landfill,” Waste Management, 29(5): 1547-1557.
- Jonnalagadda, S., Kumar, D., Jain, P., Gawande, N., Townsend, T.G., Reinhart, D.R. (2010) “Comparison of resistivity and time domain reflectometry sensors for assessing moisture content in bioreactor landfills,” Geotechnical Testing Journal 33 (3).
- Berge, N. D., D. Reinhart, E. Batarseh (2009) “An Assessment of Bioreactor Costs and Benefits,” Waste Management, dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2008.12.010.
- Nalamothu, R. C., D. R. Reinhart, R. L. Wayson, A. Martin, M. Rogoff (2008) “Urban Infilling Impacts on Florida Solid Waste Facilities,” MSW Management, 18(7): 60-71.
- Jessen, A., A. Randall, D. Reinhart (2007) “Effectiveness and Kinetics of Ferrate as a Disinfectant for Ballast Water,” Water Environment Research, 80(6): 61-69.
- Cochran, K., T. Townsend, D. Reinhart, H. Heck (2007) “Estimation of Regional Building-Related C&D Debris Generation and Composition: Case Study for Florida, USA,” Waste Management, 27: 921-931.
- Berge, N. D. , Debra R. Reinhart, John D. Dietz (2007) “A Strategy for Complete Nitrogen Removal in Bioreactor Landfills,” ASCE Journal of Environmental Engineering, 133(12): 1117-1125.
- Batarseh, E. B., D. R. Reinhart, L. Daly (2007) “Liquid Sodium Ferrate and Fenton’s Reagent for Treatment of Mature Landfill Leachate,” ASCE Journal of Environmental Engineering, 133(11): 1042 – 1050.
- Berge, N. D. , Debra R. Reinhart, John D. Dietz, and Tim Townsend (2007) “The Impact of Temperature and Gas-Phase Oxygen on Kinetics of In-Situ Ammonia Removal in Bioreactor Landfill Leachate,” Water Research 41: 1907-1914.
- Faour, A., D. R. Reinhart, and H. You, (2007) “First-Order Gas Generation Model Parameters for Wet Landfills,” Waste Management, 27: 946-953.
- Imhoff, P.T. Debra R. Reinhart, Marja Englund, Roger Guérin, Nitin Gawande, Byunghyun Han, Sreeram Jonnalagadda, Timothy G. Townsend, Ramin Yazdani, (2007) “Review Of State-of-the Art Methods For Measuring Water In Landfills,” Waste Management, 27: 729-745.
- Eun, S., D. Reinhart, T. Townsend, C. D. Cooper (2007) “Modeling and Measurement of Hydrogen Emissions at C&D Landfills,” Waste Management, 27(2): 220-227.
- Powell, J., Jain, P., Kim, H., Townsend, T., Reinhart, D. (2006) “Changes in Landfill Gas Quality as a Result of Controlled Air Injection,” Environmental Science and Technology, 40: 1029-1034.
- Gillis, N.; Walters, L.; Yeargain, M.; Reinhart, D. (2005) “Effectiveness of Ferrate (FeO4-2) as a ballast water disinfectant, Comp. Biol. 2005, 45, (6), 1137-1137.
- Lindberg, S.E. G. Southworth, M. Bogle, T. Blasing, H. Zhang, T. Kuiken, J. Price, D. Reinhart, H. Sfeir, J. Owens, and K. Roy (2005). “Airborne Emissions of Mercury from Municipal Solid Waste: New Measurements from Six Operating Landfills in Florida,” JAWMA, 55: 859-869.
- Southworth, G. S. Lindberg, M. Bogle, H. Zhang, T. Kuiken, J. Price, D. Reinhart, and H. Sfeir (2005) “Airborne Emissions of Mercury from Municipal Solid Waste II: Potential Losses of Airborne Mercury Prior to Landfill,” JAWMA, 55: 870-877.
- Berge, N.D., Reinhart, D.R., and Townsend, T.G. (2005) “A Review of the Fate of Nitrogen in Bioreactor Landfills,” Critical Reviews In Environmental Science And Technology, 35: 365-399.
- Berge, N.D., Reinhart, D.R., Dietz, J., and Townsend, T.G. (2006) “In-Situ Ammonia Removal from Bioreactor Landfill Leachate,” Waste Management 26: 334-343.
- Jain, P., J. Powell, T. Townsend, D. Reinhart (2006) “Estimating the Hydraulic Conductivity of Landfilled Solid Waste Using the Borehole Permeameter Test,” ASCE JEE, 132(6): 645-652.
- Jain P, J. Powell, T. Townsend, D. Reinhart (2005) “Air Permeability of Waste in a Municipal Solid Waste Landfill,” ASCE JEE 131(11), 1565-1573.
- Nitin A. Gawande, D. Reinhart, P. McCreanor, T. Townsend, P. Thomas (2003) “Municipal Solid Waste In Situ Moisture Content Measurement Using An Electrical Resistance Sensor Design and Operation Of Bioreactor Landfills,” Waste Management, 23(7): 667-674.
- Reinhart, D., T. Townsend, and P. McCreanor (2002) “The Status of Bioreactor Landfills” Waste Management and Research, 20: 67-81.
- Lindberg, S. E., D. Wallschläger, E.M. Prestbo, N.S Bloom, J. Price, And D. Reinhart (2001) “Methylated Mercury Species In Municipal Waste Landfill Gas Sampled In Florida,” Atmospheric Envir., 35(8):
- Geiger, L., D. R. Reinhart, C. A. Clausen, N. E. Ruiz, and J. W. Quinn (2001) “Ultrasound Pretreatment of Elemental Iron: Kinetic Studies of Dehalogenation Reaction Enhancement and Surface Effects,” Water Research, 36(5): 1342-1350.
- Ruiz, N, S. Seal, and D. Reinhart, (2000) “Surface Chemical Reactivity in Selected Iron Samples Used In Remediation Technology,” Journal of Hazardous Materials, B80: 107-117.
- McCreanor, P. and D. Reinhart (1999) “Hydrodynamic Modeling of Leachate Recirculating Landfill,” Waste Management and Research, 17: 465-469.
- Reinhart D. and P. McCreanor (2000) “Medical Waste Management: Where does the Solid Waste Go?” Laboratory Medicine, 31(3): 141-145.
- McCreanor, P. and D. R. Reinhart (2000) “Mathematical Modeling of Leachate Recirculating Landfill,” Water Research, 34(4): 1285-1295.
- Sfeir, H., D. R. Reinhart, P. McCauley-Bell (1999) “An Evaluation of MSW Composition Study Bias Sources,” Air and Waste Management Association Journal, 49: 74-185.
- McCauley-Bell, P., D. R. Reinhart, H. Sfeir, B. O. Ryan (1997) “Municipal Solid Waste Composition Studies,” ASCE Practice Periodical of Hazardous, Toxic, and Radioactive Waste Management, 1(4): 158-163.
- Quinn, J. W. and D. R. Reinhart (1997) “Bioremediation of Diesel Contaminated Soil Using Biopiles,” ASCE Practice Periodical of Hazardous, Toxic, and Radioactive Waste Management, 1(1): 18-25.
- McCreanor, P. T. and D. R. Reinhart (1996) “Hydrodynamic Modeling of Leachate Recirculation,” Water, Science, and Technology, 34(7-8): 463-470.
- Reinhart, D.R., (1996) “Full-Scale Experiences with Leachate Recirculating Landfills – Case Studies,” Waste Management and Research, 14: 347.
- Reinhart, D.R. and B. A. Al-Yousfi, (1996) “The Impact of Leachate Recirculation of MSW Landfill Leachate and Gas Characteristics,” Waste Management and Research, 14: 337.
- Reinhart, D. R. and Scott Trainor (1995) “Windrow Co-Composting of Municipal Biosolids and Yard Waste,” Compost Science, 3(2): 38.
- Reinhart, D.R., J. Dietz, L. Tunnell, (1994) “Landfill Leachate Treatment for Biological Nutrient Removal from Wastewater,” J. of Environment and Pollution, 4(1/2): 97.
- Reinhart, D.R., A.R. deForest, and S. J. Keely, (1993) “Composting of Yard Waste and Wastewater Treatment Plant Sludge Mixtures,” Compost Science, 1(2)58.
- Reinhart, D. R. (1993) “A Review of Recent Studies on the Sources of Hazardous Compounds Emitted from Municipal Solid Waste Landfills: A US Experience,” Waste Management and Research, 11, 257.
- Reinhart, D. R. and P. Fleming (1992) “Controlling Factors of Stabilization Rates for Yard Waste Composting in Southeastern United States,” The Journal of Resource Management and Technology, 20(3) 149.
- Reinhart, D.R., C. D. Cooper, and B. L. Walker (1992) “Flux Chamber Design and Operation for the Measurement of Municipal Solid Waste Landfill Gas Emission Rates,” Air and Waste Management Journal, 42(8):
- Reinhart, D.R. and F. G. Pohland (1991) “The Fate of Selected Organic Pollutants Codisposed with Municipal Refuse,” WPCF Research Journal, 63(4):
- Reinhart, D.R. and F. G. Pohland (1991) “The Assimilation of Organic Hazardous Wastes Codisposed with Municipal Refuse,” Journal of Industrial Microbiology, 8:
- Reinhart, D.R. and F. G. Pohland (1991) “Mathematical Fate Modeling of Hazardous Organic Pollutants During Codisposal with Municipal Refuse,” Hazardous Waste & Hazardous Materials, 8(1):
- Richards, J.T. and D. R. Reinhart (1986) “Evaluation of Plastic Media in Trickling Filters,” Journal Water Pollution Control Federation, 58(7): 774.
- Morales, L. and D. Reinhart (1984) “Full-Scale Evaluation of Aerated Grit Chambers,” Journal Water Pollution Control Federation, 56(4): 337.
- Troxler, R., D. Reinhart, and A. Hallum (1984) “Metro Atlanta Water Pollution Control -A Decade of Progress,” Journal Water Pollution Control Federation, 56(4):
- Reinhart, D.R. (1979) “Nitrification Treatability Study for Carrollton, Georgia,” Journal Water Pollution Control Federation, 51(5):1032
TEXT BOOKS
SOLID AND HAZARDOUS WASTE MANAGEMENT RESEARCH
Elevated Temperature Landfills
For reasons that are not entirely clear, incidents of elevated temperatures in municipal solid waste landfills are occurring at increasing frequency. Given the threat to health and property from these elevated temperatures at landfills, the goal of this research is to develop a more complete understanding of elevated temperature landfills. Tasks for Year 1 include (1) conduct analysis of gas and leachate qualitative and quantitative data, (2) fully characterize Florida landfills experiencing elevated temperatures, and (3) develop a simple heat generation model for each landfill.
Landfills as Renewable Energy Parks
As Florida’s Premier Research Centers — Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) and Hinkley Center for Solid and Hazardous Waste Management (HCSHWM) — are leading the research and development efforts to preserve and protect the state’s natural resources and bring the vision of Energy Independence to fruition.
Leachate management
Leachate management is expensive and challenging for landfill operators. Wastewater treatment operators are refusing to accept leachate with increasing frequency due to operational challenges even though the specific impacts on effluent quality are not well understood. The goal of this proposed research is to study the nature and fate of recalcitrant, UV-absorbing, and nitrogen-containing organic compounds in leachate that is co-treated with domestic wastewater. This research will provide a better understanding of the potential implications of accepting leachate at domestic wastewater plants. Additionally, the impediments to UV disinfection in the presence of leachate organic matter will be better understood and recommendations will be made to ensure that the performance complies with discharge permit requirements. Rapid leachate fingerprinting tools will also be implemented in the field as additional means to detect leachate in wastewater.
Year 1
Quarterly Reports
– Quarterly Report 1
– Quarterly Report 2
– Quarterly Report 3
Annual Report
TAG Meetings
– November 2014
– May 2015
Year 2
Quarterly Reports
– Quarterly Report 1
– Quarterly Report 2
– Quarterly Report 3
Final Report
TAG Meetings
– December 2015
– March 2016
Principal Investigator
Debra Reinhart, PhD, PE, BCEE
Debra.Reinhart@ucf.edu
Landfill Gas to Energy
Landfill gas (LFG) is generated from the physical, chemical and biological processes that occur in disposed waste. The main components of LFG are methane (50-60%), carbon dioxide (40-50%) and some trace gases. Considering the fact that methane is a major greenhouse gas (GHG), collection of LFG will decrease fugitive GHG emissions, thus decreasing the environmental impacts which is the main goal of Florida’s “Serve to Preserve Summit and Energy Action Team Program.”
Considering the large population of Florida (ranked fourth in the US) and the fact that, at least for some decades, landfilling solid waste will be an inevitable part of waste management, regulators and owners/operators must focus on how to reduce environmental impacts and improve economic benefits of landfills. One solution is LFG to Energy (LFGTE) projects. By creating a LFGTE project, landfill owners and operators eliminate pollution by both reducing GHG emissions and providing a renewable source of energy.
In addition to environmental benefits, LFG reduction can yield economic benefits due to the market usages of methane. The methane can be used directly to produce energy via industrial heat plants or electrical power plants. These renewable energy projects have been operating for some time in the US, but with all the energy concerns the need for alter energy sources can only increase. As Florida is one of the leading states regarding environmental issues, these projects are gaining attention in Florida recently. The main focus of this project is to increase our knowledge on LFGTE projects and facilitating future projects in Florida.
LFGTE projects have been operating for years in a few Florida landfills, however, Florida is believed to have a much higher potential. The ultimate goal of this research is to improve the viability of LFGTE projects through case study analysis. Existing Florida LFGTE projects will be analyzed from the perspective of climate change. The role these landfills play with respect to current and future carbon emissions will be evaluated through LFG generation modeling, carbon footprint analysis, and economic analysis. Conclusions from these case studies will be extrapolated to all Florida landfills.
To date, data have been collected from five Florida landfills operating LFGTE projects. These data include location and topography, disposed waste tonnage, operation methods applied, history of waste disposal, waste characteristics, climatic conditions, actual collected LFG, and LFG sales contracts.
LFG generation model parameters based on the first-order model, i.e. the gas generation potential and gas generation decay rate, will be derived and the potential LFG generation will be calculated for these five landfills. Also the LFG collection efficiency will be calculated by comparing model outcomes to actual collection values, allowing an estimate of the carbon footprint of these landfills. The results will be extrapolated to other candidate Florida landfills. Furthermore, a sensitivity analysis will be done to study the effect of changes in characteristics such as waste composition and operational conditions, such as moisture content, timing of landfill capping, or biosolids addition, by evaluating the effect of changes on generation model parameters and LFG collection and use.
Principal Investigator
Debra Reinhart, PhD, PE, BCEE
Debra.Reinhart@ucf.edu
ZeroValent Iron Research
Prinicpal Investigators:
Dr. Christian Clauen, Dr. Cherie Geiger, Dr. Debra Reinhart, Dr. Andrew Randall
Funding Agencies: NASA, Gulf Coast Hazardous Substance Research Center
Project Description: The persistence and mobility of chlorinated hydrocarbons in the subsurface was largely unanticipated, therefore historical disposal practices have lead to widespread groundwater contamination. Zero-valent zinc and iron significantly enhanced the reductive dehalogenation of aliphatic compounds with iron being particularly attractive due to its low cost and availability. Zero-valent metals have application to groundwater treatment in both in situ and ex situ situations, however they are most frequently used as the reactive component of a permeable reactive barrier. It has been documented that the reactive process leads to precipitation or fouling of the zero-valent metal surface resulting in a decline of the degradation rate of this surface mediated process and possible reduction of the permeability of the treatment wall. The University of Central Florida has been involved in zero-valent research since 1994.
In 1998, UCF constructed a permeable reactive barrier at Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Complex 34 using deep-soil mixing technology. On-going research at the University of Central Florida has investigated the use of sonication to enhance and/or restore the activity of the zero-valent metal through surface cleansing. This technology has application at dozens of present sites and potentially hundreds of future sites, as the reactive iron ages and declines in performance. Sonication application to field sites that have used zero-valent iron in permeable treatment walls for several years has been successful. Commercialization of this technique is an expected outcome of this demonstration. UCF has also explored the interaction of microbial activity with reactive iron. More recently, UCF is exploring the use of emulsified zero-valent iron to treat chlorinated DNAPL sources.
Jordanian MSW Management Collaborative Research
Project Summary: The confluence of US and Jordanian scientists in this cooperative activity permitted the exchange of ideas and technology in the field of solid waste management. This project gave US researchers unique access to data from a developing international country and one with environmental conditions significantly different from most US locations. In turn, work in the US provided opportunity for Jordanian researchers to interact with US researchers and practitioners with expertise in the MSW management field.
The objective of the proposed research is to gather information and data related to landfill leachate and gas data necessary to assess the impact of Jordanian solid waste landfills on the environment. A secondary objective is to provide design and operational guidance to minimize future impacts. This research was accomplished by a visit to Jordan by the principal investigators for data gathering followed by an exchange visit from Jordanian scientists to assist in the data analysis.