PE geomembrane or polyethylene geomembrane is the kind of geomembrane liner designed and engineered with waterporrf, flexibility and long term durability. PE geomembranes are highly suitable for waterproofing applications that demand both flexibility and long-term durability. With exceptional chemical stability, polyethylene is the most commonly employed material for projects involving landfills, tailings ponds, or water treatment basins.
1. What Is PE Geomembrane?
PE geomembrane, short for polyethylene geomembrane, is a high-quality liner made from a polyethylene formula. It typically consists of 97.5% polymer, which provides the main structural component, and 2.5% additives such as black smoke, antioxidants, and heat stabilizers. These additives enhance the geomembrane’s performance by preventing the penetration of UV rays, which can degrade the material over time.
PE geomembranes are renowned for their versatility and effectiveness in preventing fluid migration and ensuring environmental protection. Their flexibility enables them to conform to the shape and contours of the terrain, creating a secure and reliable barrier against the seepage or leakage of fluids. This adaptability is especially beneficial for projects with irregular or complex geometries.
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High chemical stability
They exhibit resistance to a wide range of aggressive substances, making them well-suited for applications in landfills where they act as a protective barrier, preventing the migration of hazardous materials into the surrounding environment. Similarly, in tailings ponds and water treatment basins, PE geomembranes serve as impermeable layers that safeguard the soil and water resources from contamination.
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The long-term durability
They can withstand harsh weather conditions, UV exposure, and the stresses associated with installation and usage, maintaining their structural integrity over extended periods of time.
PE geomembranes are reliable and versatile liners made from a polyethylene formula. Their flexibility, chemical stability, and long-term durability make them ideal for preventing fluid migration and providing environmental protection in various applications such as landfills, tailings ponds, and water treatment basins.
2. What Are Advantages of PE Geomembrane for Landfill?
PE geomembranes is designed and enginnered with their high elongation at break, resistance to acids and liquids, puncture and tear resistance, chemical and thermal resistance, elongation resistance, chemical stability, flexibility, and impact resistance for landfill projects. These properties contribute to the effective containment of waste materials, prevention of environmental contamination, and long-term durability of landfill liners.
2.1 High elongation at break
PE geomembranes have a high elongation capacity before breaking, allowing them to withstand ground movement and settlement in landfill areas. This flexibility helps prevent damage to the liner and maintain its integrity over time.
2.2 Resistance to acids and most liquids
Landfills contain a wide range of chemical substances and liquids, including acids and leachates. PE geomembranes exhibit excellent resistance to these substances, ensuring long-term protection against chemical degradation and preventing leakage into the surrounding environment.
2.3 Puncture and tear resistance
Landfills can contain sharp objects, debris, and waste materials that may puncture or tear the geomembrane. PE geomembranes offer exceptional puncture and tear resistance, providing a robust barrier against mechanical damage and maintaining the containment of waste materials.
2.4 Very high chemical and thermal resistance level
Landfills often experience exposure to aggressive chemical compounds and high temperatures due to the decomposition of waste. PE geomembranes demonstrate high chemical and thermal resistance, enabling them to withstand these harsh conditions without degradation or compromising their structural integrity.
2.5 High elongation resistance
PE geomembranes have excellent resistance to elongation or stretching, even under the pressure of waste materials and settlement. This characteristic ensures that the geomembrane remains stable and maintains its shape, preventing the formation of wrinkles or gaps that could compromise the landfill’s containment system.
2.6 Chemical stability
PE geomembranes possess high chemical stability, allowing them to resist degradation by chemical reactions and exposure to UV radiation. This stability ensures the long-term effectiveness of the geomembrane in containing the waste and preventing the migration of contaminants into the soil and groundwater.
2.7 Flexible and easy to use
PE geomembranes are flexible and easy to handle, making them convenient for installation in landfill projects. Their flexibility allows them to conform to the contours of the landfill area, including slopes and uneven surfaces. This ease of use facilitates the installation process, reducing time and labor requirements.
2.8 Impact resistance
3. What Is PE Geomembrane Used For?
PE geomembranes are used for a wide range of purposes, including landfill liners, leachate treatment rafts, mining waste containment, water treatment plant linings, retention basins, containment systems in various industries, and civil engineering projects. Their versatility, durability, and impermeable nature make them a reliable solution for waterproofing, containment, and environmental protection in diverse applications.3,
3.1 Landfills
PE geomembranes are extensively used as liners in landfills to prevent the leakage or seepage of waste materials into the soil and groundwater. They act as a barrier, protecting the environment from potential contamination.
3.2 Leachate treatment rafts
Leachate is the liquid that forms as water percolates through the waste in a landfill. PE geomembranes are utilized in leachate treatment rafts to collect and contain the leachate for proper treatment and disposal.
3.3 Mining waste rafts
In mining operations, PE geomembranes are employed in waste rafts or tailings ponds to prevent the migration of mining by-products and contaminants into the surrounding environment, protecting soil and water resources.
3.4 Water treatment plants
PE geomembranes are used in water treatment plants as liners for basins, tanks, and reservoirs. They provide a watertight barrier, preventing the loss or contamination of treated water.
3.5 Retention basins
PE geomembranes are utilized in retention basins to create impermeable barriers that prevent the infiltration or leakage of water. These basins are commonly used for stormwater management, flood control, and water storage.
3.6 Containment systems
PE geomembranes serve as containment systems in various industries such as petrochemical plants, airports, port areas, and industrial facilities. They are used to prevent leaks and spills, ensuring that hazardous substances or pollutants do not escape into the surrounding environment.
3.7 Civil works
PE geomembranes find applications in civil engineering projects. They are installed in road construction, retaining walls, tunnels, and railway works to provide waterproofing and prevent the infiltration of water or soil gases.
4. Case Stuy Of PE Geomembrane for Landfill Anti-seepage in Thailand
In Thailand, a landfill anti-seepage project was undertaken using PE geomembrane to address the complex water quality of landfill leachate and prevent pollution of soil, rivers, and groundwater. The project was handled by Beijing Environmental Protection Technology Company, and the customer expressed satisfaction with BPM’s PE geomembrane production process, raw materials, and product quality.
The landfill in Thailand required a robust anti-seepage solution, considering the high concentration of organic matter, heavy metal salts, suspended solids (SS), and ammonia nitrogen in the leachate. To meet these requirements, the customer opted for PE geomembrane as the primary liner material.
The project involved the installation of a landfill liner system with a capacity of 20,000 cubic meters of leachate. The total quantity of PE geomembrane used for the project was 15,000 square meters, with each roll measuring 6 meters by 50 meters. The chosen thickness of the PE geomembrane was 1.5mm, providing sufficient strength and impermeability for the anti-seepage application.
To ensure a successful installation, a professional PE geomembrane welding technician was sent to the site to assist with the welding process. The project involved both stitching the geotextile and welding the pond liner material, a process that required approximately 15 days of dedicated work.
Throughout the project, the customer appreciated the adherence to ASTM standards and the competitive pricing offered by BPM. As a result, they signed the supply contract and construction service agreement, solidifying the partnership between the customer and BPM for the landfill anti-seepage project in Thailand.
This case study highlights the effective application of PE geomembrane in landfill projects, specifically addressing the challenge of preventing seepage and protecting the environment from landfill leachate contamination. The use of high-quality PE geomembrane, professional installation techniques, and adherence to industry standards contributed to the successful implementation of the anti-seepage system.
5. About BPM Geomembrane
BPM had provided many types of effective and state of the art geotextile, geomembrane and geosythetics products to over 36 countries. Our main innovative, high quality geosynthetics products include geomembranes, geotextiles, geocell, geosynthetic clay liners (GCLs), drainage boards, geogrids, etc. BPM brand geosynthetics had been certificated by the ISO9001, ISO14001,OHSAS18001 Soncap, SASO and BV certificates and passed the test of SGS and Intertek, etc.
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