Geosynthetic Clay Liner
GCLs are made of two durable geotextiles encapsulating a layer of low-permeability sodium bentonite clay. They are a cost-effective alternative to traditional compacted clay liner (CCL) material.
Unlike CCLs, GCLs are not sensitive to varying weather conditions and do not experience performance decreases during freeze-thaw or desiccation-rewetting cycles as the result of compaction.
Landfills
Human activity produces waste materials that must be safely disposed of. The most common method of disposing of these materials is through landfills. Landfills must have a liner system that prevents the percolation of harmful liquids into groundwater and that stops the escape of toxic gaseous emissions into the atmosphere. Traditionally, landfills used compacted clay liner (CCL) or geomembrane. More recently, composite liner systems using GCL have gained popularity. These are typically composed of two layers of geotextiles enclosing a layer of sodium bentonite, a natural sealant that swells when it encounters water.
The swellability of the bentonite clay and the low hydraulic conductivity of the GCL make it an ideal solution for municipal solid waste landfills (MSW). This type of liner can meet or exceed federal standards for bottom liners in MSW landfill applications.
BTL’s ArmorPro series of geosynthetic clay liners is an excellent choice for landfill lining. Geosynthetic clay liner Its uniform needle-punched construction improves multi-directional shear strength and internal friction angles while a specially-designed surface polyethylene coating improves pull-out resistance. These qualities make ArmorPro landfill liners resistant to damage from chemical penetration and other contaminants, and they can easily outlast high-density polyethylene (HDPE), chlorosulfinated polyethylene (CSPE) and polypropylene liners when tested against temperature extremes, UV radiation, mechanical impact, chemical exposure and soil erosion.
API Tanks
API standards dictate fabrication, welding, erection and inspection requirements for field welded petrochemical tanks. These API 650 tanks hold chemicals, such as gas, oil and process fluids.
The regulated materials stored in these tanks must meet strict safety and environmental laws. The tanks must also undergo frequent inspections by a third party inspector. This is to ensure that the tank remains compliant and in good working condition throughout its lifetime.
GCLs offer a more resilient alternative to compacted clay liners, and they can be easily installed by construction workers. They are also less likely to be impacted by weather conditions, such as freeze-thaw or desiccation-rewetting cycles that can lead to cracking of conventional compacted clay liners.
A GCL is a needle-punched, reinforced composite that consists of two durable geotextile layers and a uniform core of high-swelling powder sodium bentonite clay. Once hydrated, it creates a shear-resistant hydraulic barrier with self-healing and resealing characteristics. The permeability of a GCL is lower than the permeability of compacted clay, and it can be measured in-situ using Darcy’s Law. In addition, a GCL is more resistant to degradation by chemicals and abrasions than traditional compacted clay liners. This helps protect the integrity of the structure and prevent leakage. In addition, the swell-ability of the sodium bentonite in GCLs helps to self-seal around penetrations and overlaps.
Ponds
A golf course pond is an important habitat for wildlife and helps reduce water pollution. However, these natural waterbodies are being threatened by human activities like farming and construction. It is important to keep these ponds alive by installing an appropriate liner.
A geosynthetic clay liner is a great option for these structures because it can withstand the constant disturbance that comes with these environments. This is due to its strength, durability and self-healing properties. A GCL can also be more cost-effective than a geomembrane.
Geosynthetic clay liners are becoming increasingly popular in the construction of ponds. They are thin sheets of sodium bentonite that are either sandwiched between two geotextiles or glued to a geomembrane. They provide a simpler installation process than traditional compacted clay liners and offer improved hydraulic performance under high gradient conditions.
They also resist abrasion and can withstand the shear stresses that occur during construction. Additionally, they have the ability to seal punctures, which is a key feature of a pond liner.
GCLs can also be more durable than basic clay or Bentonite liners because they are designed to resist disturbances from plants, animals and sinking tree roots. It only takes one area of disturbance to create a leak, but this is not an issue with a reinforced liner that has been built using a more durable material.
Secondary Containment
Whether you’re looking to prevent liquids or gases from escaping, secondary containment is an important step to take for your safety and the environment. Having the right backup system in place can save your site from costly cleanup and contamination. Typically, this system is made up of the appropriate soil cover with a geosynthetic clay liner as an extra layer to ensure that no leaks occur. This is the ultimate backup for berms and provides an additional level of protection in the event that a primary containment system fails.
GCLs are factory manufactured hydraulic barriers consisting of a low-permeability layer of bentonite or other very low-permeability material supported by geotextiles and/or geomembranes mechanically held together by needling, stitching or chemical adhesives. They are designed to replace or augment compacted clay liners (CCL) or other geosynthetic liners.
Traditional CCLs and GCLs are thin ( 10 +/- 5 mm), flexible sheets of sodium bentonite sandwiched between two geotextiles or glued to a geomembrane. The high swelling capacity and low permeability of Gabion the bentonite provide an efficient hydraulic barrier, while the geotextiles and/or geomembrane add strength and resistance to physical and chemical breakdown in harsh environments.
Global Synthetics’ needle-punched thermally locked Bentofix GCL is also available in a polyethylene-coated variety that reduces the risk of desiccation, cation exchange and gas emission of lower quality bentonite products. This unique formulation is proven to withstand cyclic shear, which is an important test for landfill liners.