An approach to high-density polyethylene (HDPE) geomembrane selection for challenging design requirements

Abstract

An approach for selecting a high-density polyethylene (HDPE) geomembrane (GMB) for a long design life is described and illustrated for five 2 mm thick textured GMBs when immersed in a simulated municipal solid waste leachate (L3) and two simulated leachates representative of low-level radioactive waste leachates (L7 and L9) for 9–16 months at a range of temperatures. Although made from the same nominal resin, substantial differences are reported in both the initial properties and the rate of antioxidant depletion for the five GMBs. At an expected operating liner temperature of 10 °C and immersed in L3, the projected time to antioxidant depletion for the five GMBs ranges from 125 to over 2000 years. The antioxidant depletion in leachates L7 and L9 were similar or slower than in leachate L3. There was no evidence of traditional thermal-oxidative degradation reported over the 9–16 months of monitoring; however, there was a significant reduction in stress crack resistance due to physical ageing ranging between 30% and 70% of the initial value. Two GMBs are considered highly likely to have service life well in excess of the required design life of 550 years. It is suggested that the proposed approach could be adopted for selecting GMBs for other projects that require a long design life.

The Application of Geosynthetics in Tailings Storage Facilities: A General Review

“…There is no way of assessing the suitability of a geomembrane for a particular application from its initial properties or experience with other solutions. The only way one can assess the relative performance is by testing the geomembrane at several elevated temperatures (e.g., 85, 75, and 65 • C or 85, 70, and 55 • C as a minimum), with additional insight being gained by testing at 55 and 40 • C as well [72]. In a recent investigation to identify a suitable geomembrane for a copper mining tailings facility, of twelve geomembranes examined, only two were found to be suitable, with the service lives varying by almost two orders of magnitude.…”

Optimising Empowerment of Fostered Villages for Increased Income of Tambak Farmers in Bulu Cindea Village

“…Before pond farmers used this trend as the basis for salt production in ponds, geomembranes were also widely used in fishponds, sewage systems, and waterways. Geomembrane is made of HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene) polymer for good strength [28] [29]. The various advantages of using this technology include more intensive absorption of solar heat resulting from the black colour effect of the geomembrane material [30]; the raw material for making salt in the form of seawater is not easily absorbed due to the shrinkage of the bottom of the salt pond, which is mostly just compacted soil [31]; the crystallization process takes more time [13]; and it is more efficient in terms of production time [32].…”

The Effect of Addition by Buthylated Hydroxytoluene (Bht) on Physical Properties of Geomembrane From Recycled High Densty Polyethylene (Hfpe) Plastic Waste

“…Geomembranes were prepared with variations in mass (%b/b) BHT as an antioxidant. BHT play role in inhibiting polymer degradation due to oxidation and affected the mechanical resistance of the geomembrane [19] . The resulting geomembranes sheet have rigid and hard properties.…”