Microstructural Investigation of UV-Degraded Geotextiles/Geomembranes through Scanned Electron Microscopic Study

It is well established that geotextiles/geomembranes polymers undergo degradation of their mechanical properties, electrical properties, theological properties when exposed to UV-radiation. The degradation of strength depends upon the physical properties viz. thickness vis-a-vis mass per unit area, exposure period and the condition under which the geotextiles/geomembranes polymers are exposed. The polymers： PET/PP/PVC/HDPE widely used as geotextiles/geomembranes were exposed to artificial UV-radiation with the accelerated rate under various exposure conditions and the degradation of their mechanical properties has been evaluated. The results for degradation of strength are presented elsewhere. The visual inspection of the process of degradation of UV degraded polymers is studied through SEM micrographs and the results are presented here.

Construction Technology of Biodigesters in Senegal

Faced with the depletion of fossil energy resources and given the current context of the fight against climate change, Renewable Energies (RE) represent an increasingly growing challenge. Of all these energies, those resulting from the biomethanization of biomass now provide an opportunity in the world of farmers and breeders. The treatment of agro-pastoral residues by anaerobic digestion has been the subject of renewed interest in recent years, thanks in particular to the production of energy from biomass, not to mention the production of fertilizers from effluents. Expelled from the digesters. This method of transformation offers many environmental, socio-economic and agricultural interests. Indeed, the biogas obtained from organic matter allows, among other things, to cook, light houses, and produce electricity and heat. The objective of this study is to compare the construction techniques and costs of the biodigester models that exist in Senegal. There are many biodigesters, the choice of an installation depends on the available space and the nature of the soil. Several types of biodigester technologies are installed in Senegal. The GGC 2047 fixed dome, the RMB geomembrane and the BEG geomembrane. First we will describe the construction techniques of the modified GGC model fixed dome biodigester, then of the RMB model geomembrane and finally of the BEG model geomembrane.

Shear strength behavior of geotextile/geomembrane interfaces

This paper aims to study the shear interaction mechanism of one of the critical geosynthetic interfaces,the geotextile/geomembrane, typically used for lined containment facilities such as landfills. A largedirect shear machine is used to carry out 90 geosynthetic interface tests. The test results show a strainsoftening behavior with a very small dilatancy （〈0.5 mm） and nonlinear failure envelopes at a normalstress range of 25e450 kPa. The influences of the micro-level structure of these geosynthetics on themacro-level interface shear behavior are discussed in detail. This study has generated several practicalrecommendations to help professionals to choose what materials are more adequate. From the threegeotextiles tested, the thermally bonded monofilament exhibits the best interface shear strength underhigh normal stress. For low normal stress, however, needle-punched monofilaments are recommended.For the regular textured geomembranes tested, the space between the asperities is an important factor.The closer these asperities are, the better the result achieves. For the irregular textured geomembranestested, the nonwoven geotextiles made of monofilaments produce the largest interface shear strength.

Probabilistic analysis of random contact force between geomembrane and granular material

A probabilistic method based on principle of maximum entropy was employed to analyze the randomness of contact force between geomembrane and granular material.The contact force distribution is exponential according to the proposed method and the grain size is the most important factor that affects the distribution of contact force.The proposed method is then verified by a series of laboratory experiments using glass beads and cobbles as granular material and a very thin pressure,indicating that film is firstly used in these experiments which give a reliable method to measure the contact force at each contact point.

Probabilistic analysis of geomembrane puncture from granular material under liquid pressure

A simplified probabilistic analysis of geomembrane punctures from granular material was presented when subjected to liquid pressure.The probability distribution of contact force between geomembrane and granular material was obtained based on the principle of equal probability and assumptions that grains are spheres with constant size.A particle flow code PFC3Dwas employed to simulate the contact process which indicates a good agreement with the theoretical probabilistic analysis.The odds of geomembrane puncture from grains of constant size were obtained by evaluating the puncture force which should not exceed the puncture resistance of geomembrane.The effects of grain radius,grain rigidity and liquid pressure were studied in more detail and displayed in graphs.Both high-level of liquid pressure and large grain can result in high risk of geomembrane puncture.The influence of grain rigidity on the geomembrane puncture odds is significant.For granular material with a grain size distribution,the geomembrane puncture odds can be estimated by the grain size distribution,served as weight function and it is a cautious design if the largest grain is chosen as the design grain size.

A Study on Impervious and Heat-Insulating Performance of Geomembrane Composites Within Breakwater

This paper investigates the performance of geomembrane composites used as impervious and heat-insulating lining within a breakwater for a power station. The seepage field, distribution of stress-strain contour and seepage discharge of hot water which has been treated as the inner thermal source in the calculation of heat-insulation, have been given by three-dimensional calculation method coupling seepage with stress. The results indicate that the impervious and heat-insulation effect of geomembrane composites is significant.

Suitability of Irbid Clay as Compacted Liners for Landfill, Jordan

The goal of this study is to investigate the possibility of using the Irbid city clayey soil as compacted clay liner. The geotechnical properties and the permeability characteristics of compacted clayey soil sample obtained from the eastern part of Irbid city were determined to evaluate their suitability as compacted clay liner. Falling head permeability test, unconfined compressive strength and volumetric shrinkage test were conducted on soil samples that were compacted at about 0% and 3% wet of its optimum water content. The leakage rates expected through clay-only and composite geomembrane-clay liners were determined. It could be concluded based on the results of the geotechnical tests and leachate rate calculations that Irbid clay is appropriate to be used as compacted landfill liner material.

Evaluation of Four Geomembrane-Mounted PV Systems for Land Reclamation in Southern Arizona

Four different PV （photovoltaic） systems deployed around Tucson Arizona on geomembranes are used to test the feasibility of converting mine tailings and landfills into solar energy generating sites. Differences between these deployed systems include： two types of geomembrane materials, two different module anatomies and two different locations. Module mounting techniques unique to mine tailing sites are described. Several system failures observed during the first two years of operation are explained here in detail. Validated predictions for the operating temperature of these systems and their associated electrical performance are presented. It was determined that PV modules mounted on light-colored thermoplastic with shielded wiring operate at lower temperatures, are structurally stable, and experience fewer wiring failures.

Seasonal variations and the influence of geomembrane liners on the levels of PBDEs in landfill leachates,sediment and groundwater in Gauteng Province,South Africa

In the present study,the seasonal concentrations of polybrominated diphenyl ethers(PBDEs)in leachate and sediment samples,and the influence of geomembrane liners on PBDE levels and the extent of their infiltration into groundwater on selected landfill sites in Gauteng Province,South Africa were determined.Leachate and sediment samples were collected from seven operational landfill sites namely:Goudkoppies,Robinson Deep,Marie Louis,Soshanguve,Onderstepoort,Hatherly and Garankuwa from Johannesburg and Pretoria,in winter and summer.Groundwater samples were collected from monitoring boreholes from two landfill sites.Liquid-liquid and Soxhlet extraction techniques were employed for the extraction of leachate and groundwater,and sediment respectively using dichloromethane.The extracted samples were subjected to column clean up and,thereafter,analysed using gas chromatographyemass spectroscopy(GC-MS).PBDEs selected for the study were:BDE-17,-28,-47,-100,-99,-153,-154,-183 and-209.The P9PBDE concentrations in leachate samples for winter and summer ranged from 0.316e1.36 ng L-1 and 0.560e1.08 ng L-1 respectively.The P9 PBDE concentrations obtained for sediment in winter and summer were 3.00e4.91 ng g-1 and 2.50e3.71 ng g-1 respectively.Winter samples exhibited higher(p<0.05)concentrations for both leachate and sediment samples compared to summer samples.This trend was attributed to high precipitation rate in summer which may have infiltrated into the landfills,subsequently diluting the leachate and sediment samples.In contrast,the winter period is generally dry and PBDEs are,therefore,more likely to be concentrated.The concentrations of PBDEs in leachate and sediment samples were higher in landfill sites with geomembrane liners compared to those without liners.Groundwater samples taken from the vicinity of selected landfill sites without geomembrane liners exhibited high concentrations of P9PBDEs,indicating possible migration of PBDEs from landfill site into groundwater.Pearson correlation(r)and statistical significant t-test(p)for the PBDE congeners versus dissolved organic carbon(DOC)resulted in positive moderate interactions with a statistical significance for most congeners.Suggesting that there is a possible influence of organic carbon on the levels of PBDEs.