TEXTILES.ORG
Q:We are researching liner alternatives for an industrial client that will have lined impoundments subject to high temperature influent (>140 degrees F), low pH (1 SU+/-), and may have organic contaminants. Are there any polyethylene geomembranes that meet these requirements?
A: Thank you for your question about geomembranes with better performance than GRI GM13 GMB materials. There are several geomembranes that meet these requirements, which are regularly discussed. They are all produced with bimodal polyethylene resins.
Solmax’s High-Temperature HDPE geomembranes are engineered to provide exceptional quality, chemical resistance and service life in prolonged exposure to temperatures up to 212°F (100°C).
Layfield’s HeatGard product, which is a new high-temperature HDPE geomembrane produced from bimodal polyethylene resins.
Naue’s Carbofol HDPE geomembranes. Manufactured using high quality polyethylene resins. Carbofol is manufactured in various thicknesses and up to 7.50 m width.
ATARFIL’S HD is a geomembrane (GMB) manufactured from verified top-quality high-density polyethylene (HDPE) resins
to meet the most stringent usage.
These materials were commercialized in late 2018. They have had good success in hot brine containment, secondary liner under heated tanks, leachate recirculation landfills, hot potable water containment, mining heap leach, ponds and long-term chlorinated water immersion. These geomembranes feature long life at high temperatures, superior halogen and hydrocarbon resistance, and excellent chemical resistance to low pH solutions. I recommend that you consult Mills and Beaumier (2017) for specific details about geomembranes made from a bimodal resin.
Mills, A., and Beaumier, D. (2017). “Long-term performance of HDPE geomembranes exposed to high service temperature.” ASCE Geotechnical Frontiers, Orlando, Florida.