Biogas geomembrane?

Editor’s Note: This question came from a reader in Thailand after he read the “Floating geomembrane cover improves biogas collection, heat retention, and odor control” article. The response is provided by Dr. Robert Koerner of GSI and the GMA Techline.

Inquiry

From: Kraivich
RE: Recommended specification

Dear sir,

Pls, recommend the specification for biogas geomembrane and suggest a material for this application.

Best regards,
Kraivich, Thailand

Response

From: Dr. Koerner

Kraivich,

Most commercial geomembranes have been used to collect biogas, including scrim-reinforced and non-reinforced types. Perhaps more important is the configuration in which the geomembrane is deployed.

For enclosures spanning over concrete vaults (a common situation), tensile stresses, tear, and puncture become very important and a scrim-reinforced geomembrane is popular. These include LLDPE-R, fPP-R, EPDM-R, and EIA (which is usually reinforced).

On the other hand, if the biogas enclosure system is confined or contained, the unreinforced types HDPE, LLDPE, fPP, EPDM, and PVC are candidate materials.

In the end you should do a benefit/cost ratio calculation to arrive at the optimal material.

I hope this helps …

Bob Koerner
Geosynthetic Institute and & GMA Techline

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