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Article contributed by Water Industry Journal
A geomembrane is a flexible, synthetic sheet material primarily used to create impermeable barriers. It comes in various thicknesses (typically between 1mm and 3mm) and widths (around 7.5 meters) to suit different applications.
Geomembranes are often rolled out and joined together to form large, continuous sheets. They are used to line ponds, landfills, canals, and industrial roofs to prevent liquids like water or waste from leaking into the surrounding soil or groundwater.
In today’s world, geomembranes play a vital role in environmental protection. However, even the best geomembrane products are at very high risk of being damaged during installation. In addition, over time minor damage can deteriorate, leading to leaks. Early discovery of geomembrane damage is essential to minimize environmental impact and loss of product, whilst minimizing clean-up costs and maximizing geomembrane life span.
Here’s how it works:
A low-voltage electrical signal is applied in such a way that the geomembrane should block transmission of the electricity.
The entire area is scanned using the appropriate choice of system.
Irregularities in the anticipated behavior of the electrical signals that tend to be caused by a leak through the geomembrane are detected and precisely located.
This method offers several advantages such as:
Electrical Leak Detection (ELL) can pinpoint even the smallest leaks, ensuring effective repairs and minimal disruption to the client’s business, or the geomembrane itself.
ELL does not damage the geomembrane, being a form of non-destructive testing, while further maintaining its integrity and lifespan.
ELL can scan large areas, keep things running smoothly, and finish the job quickly.
ELL technology is safe to use on all geomembranes.
*A small number made of rubber, conduct electricity thereby preventing the use of ELL.
The importance of early leak detection
Early detection of leaks in geomembranes is crucial for several reasons:
Minimizes Environmental Impact: By promptly addressing leaks harmful chemicals are prevented from contaminating soil and water in the surrounding areas.
Reduces Repair Costs: Early detection allows for repairs before leaks worsen and require more extensive work.
Ensures Project Integrity: Maintaining a leak-free geomembrane, protects the overall performance and longevity of your asset.
Reduces Project Carbon Footprint: If the project is done right first time the project will not need to be repeated in the future.
Saves Valuable Product: Whilst gold, copper or uranium is in liquid / pregnant solution form (e.g. during the mining process at leach pad stage) it can easily escape back to the ground. Operational damage to geomembranes typically costs the mining industry around £30,000 per hectare / $12,000 per acre.
Safeguarding our environment and society: The ripple effect of leak detection
Geomembrane leak detection is therefore good for the environment and wider society too:
Leaks can be bad for the environment. Imagine waste from landfills or ponds seeping into watercourses and lakes contaminating the water that feed the crops we eat. Leak detection helps prevent these environmental disasters which in turn keeps our planet healthy.
Geomembranes along with ELL can prevent the seepage, or percolation that can affect the stability of a dam, sometimes eventually causing failure and collapse.
Industrial leaks can also contaminate drinking water, which is a truly awful thought (as depicted in the film ‘Erin Brockovich’ based on a true story)
When geomembranes are working properly, they help conserve resources and promote sustainable practices. Leak detection helps prevent pollutants from entering the environment, saving us from having to use even more resources to clean up later.
Nobody likes unexpected costs! Uncontrolled leaks can lead to difficult clean-up operations and expensive fines. Early detection helps avoid these financial headaches and allows for quick fixes.
How sensors can help?
Sensor, a company with over 30 years of geomembrane leak detection experience, is committed to providing comprehensive leak detection solutions for geomembrane installations. Its advanced ELL technology, coupled with its team’s expertise, ensures:
Accurate and reliable leak detection
Fast and efficient project completion
Minimal disruption to your operations
Learn more about Sensor here.
Learn more about Water Industry Journal here.