Aboveground storage tank liners for energy applications
June 1st, 2022
FIGURE 1 Wooden oil tank near Odessa, Texas. Photograph courtesy of the author Over the past 20 years, hydraulic fracking rules and regulations have become increasingly stringent, and oil and gas (O&G) producers have become progressively more concerned with environmental stewardship. Quality, factory-fabricated geomembrane liners for the aboveground storage tank (AST) market have become a […]
Methane gas geomembrane permeability
April 1st, 2022
Q: What is the least permeable geomembrane to methane gas? Regarding the permeability of geomembranes to methane gas, could you send me some technical guidelines? A: High-density polyethylene (HDPE) geomembranes are denser (more crystalline) than linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) geomembranes and less permeable. The water vapor, solvent and methane transmission (diffusion) of an HDPE barrier […]
Geosynthetics for Alaska landfill closure
February 23rd, 2022
Solmax provides a combination of geosynthetics for Alaska landfill closure project with multiple geotechnical challenges. Installation of geosynthetics at the Homer Solid Waste Facility landfill in Alaska. Photograph courtesy of Solmax Kenai Peninsula Borough in southern Alaska needed to complete phase two of a landfill-closure project at its Homer (Alaska) Solid Waste Facility. This involved […]
How to create a natural-looking pond with a geomembrane liner
September 27th, 2021
Constructing water pond with a geomembrane in Sweden. Photograph courtesy of BTL Liners Not all lining material is created equal. Although preshaped rigid liners exist, they are not normally what you would choose for your fish-stocking pond. No matter how small or large the pond you have in mind, your best option today is flexible […]
The GMA Techline
February 1st, 2021
Moderated by George R. Koerner BIOLOGICAL DEGRADATION OF PE AND PP Q: Can you please enlighten me on the biological degradation of polyolefin polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP)? A: Within the various plant forms of biological life, i.e., bacteria, actinomycetes, fungi and algae, polymer degradation is essentially nonexistent due to high molecular weight of the common […]
The GMA Techline
April 1st, 2020
Moderated by George R. Koerner and Y. “Grace” Hsuan Welding Rod Q: This question is in regard to the welding rod intended for welding of geomembranes (both high-density polyethylene [HDPE] and linear low-density polyethylene [LLDPE]). Are there any GRI GM13- or GM17-based requirements for welding rods or are there any white papers or specifications? I […]
Panorama
April 1st, 2019
GMA honors U.S. senator as ‘leader of the year’ The Geosynthetic Materials Association (GMA) honored Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D–R.I., with the GMA Leader of the Year Award during the fall Lobby Day in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 14, 2018. “I’m honored to be recognized in this way by the Geosynthetic Materials Association,” Sen. Whitehouse said, […]
The GMA Techline
February 1st, 2019
Geomembranes for canal lining Q: Our company is an international member of the Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI). Our government is planning to line their water canals with a geomembrane to prevent water seepage into the soil. We have been approached by many to suggest the most suitable material with specifications to guide them in […]
EPT introduces new string-reinforced LLDPE geomembrane
December 13th, 2018
To meet the growing demand for linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) by geomembrane fabricators and installers, Engineered Polymer Technologies (EPT) has announced a new string-reinforced LLDPE fabric. LLDPE has been in increasing demand due to its superior flexibility and better layflat versus high density polyethylene (HDPE). EPT has specially formulated its LLDPE fabric for high […]
Automation of large-scale geotextile and geomembrane fabrication
October 1st, 2018
The development of a large-scale fabrication machine was conceived during the fabrication of geotextiles for a tailings pond cap in 2010. The machine joins five strips of material at a time to create fabricated panels for large projects. It is capable of both welding geomembranes and sewing high-strength geotextiles. This machine was specifically designed to […]