Special Feature

NanoCarbon Leak Detection for Geosynthetics (Special Feature)

Graphene has been hailed as a pivot for a future materials revolution in a wider range of industries – though scaling production of a material first produced with adhesive tape and pencil graphite has been a major barrier. In 2016, a small, research-oriented company based in Australia, Imagine Intelligent Materials (IIM), announced the commercial application of graphene coating on geotextiles. It is working with Geofabrics Australasia – Australia’s largest geotextile company – to develop a ‘game-changing’ graphene-coated geotextile with advanced leak-detection capabilities.
IIM also notes that the improved structural properties of graphene would add considerable strength, with little additional weight, which will help future geosynthetic products meet more robust strength requirements in regulations.
The geosynthetics segment is thus likely to devote more money to evolving graphene technology, though the principal hurdle remains achieving volume production at a reasonable price.

Imagine IM announced last week that it has raised A$2 million in new capital. Imagine IM is focused on developing conductive coatings and sensing technologies for industrial textiles and geotextiles.
http://imgne.com/2017/02/imagine-intelligent-materials-raises-2m-private-placement/

The first installation of imgne X3 Graphene-treated Geofabrics bidim® is now planned to take place in April 2017 at a Coal Seam Gas site in Queensland. Its function is to enable the identification of holes that cause leaks in geosynthetic liners for dams. Imagine IM’s innovative approach to leak detection leads to improved ability to easily identify leaks and utilizes existing testing procedures and techniques.

Two other nanomaterials—nanoparticulate carbon black and carbon nanotubes—are being developed for geosynthetic applications.
This proposition relies on their electrical conductivity to enable enhanced geosynthetics that could detect leakages in landfills and coal ash containment structures—a significant environmental issue. Current flowing through—for example, a polypropylene nanotube enhanced sheet—would alter areas of a geosynthetic subject to additional mechanical stress. This would give an early warning of those areas that are prone to breaking and leakage in liquid containment structures. This in situ real time monitoring would allow remedial action to be
taken more quickly and effectively. As graphene is also highly conductive it too could carry out this function once supply issues are resolved.

Current processes for producing geosynthetic rely on needlepunch manufacturing processes. Though familiar, these have the drawback that they place stress on the fibers as they are manufactured, which diminishes tensile strength (tenacity) during use. New technologies that enable better tenacity via a higher draw ratio, would decrease elongation are under investigation. – See more at:
http://www.nonwovens-industry.com/issues/2017-02-02/view_features/steady-growth-prospects-for-expanding-specialty-geosynthetics-segment/#sthash.kPQJP1Jo.dpuf

Large Scale Graphene Extrusion for Geomembrane Production Led By Italian Extrusion Company
http://www.luigibandera.com/0116-large-scale-plastics-graphene-extrusion/

GNB™ – Geosynthetic News Bulletin™
GNS™ –  Geosynthetic News Special™
GNF™ – Geosynthetic News Feature™
are tradenames of the Geosynthetic News Agency and Geosynthetic News Alerts (GNA)

Special Feature on Geomembrane Liner CQA brought to you by ExcelPlas – Providers of Construction Quality Assurance (CQA) & Testing Services for Geomembrane Lining Systems in the Construction of Landfills and Engineered Containment

Boom in Victorian Landfill Projects – Presently there are many active landfill lining projects in Victoria – Greensborough – Plenty, Corio, Kangaroo Ground, Clayton Regional, Dandenong, Melb Regional (Cell 3A) just to name a few.  For landfill lining projects CQA is critical to ensure the long-term integrity of the geomembrane liner and the complete installation.

ExcelPlas and Terrafirma Form Strategic Partership for Geosynthetics Testing for Landfills
http://www.terrafirmalabs.com.au/

GITA and CQA Services for Landfill Construction
http://www.terrafirmalabs.com.au/our_services.php

Introduction to CQC and CQA of Geomembrane Welds by Scheirs [PDF]
http://cloud.excelplas.com/index.php/s/NPwecj1KvFAZPrX

Extrusion Weld Separation of Geomembranes Explained (Video)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-Ql0ERkkX8

Installation and Testing of Landfill Liners (Special Feature)
http://foresternetwork.com/daily/waste/landfill-management/installation-and-testing-of-landfill-liners/

BlueSphere Environmental (Melb) Announces New Focus on Landfill Design & Monitoring
BlueSphere offer landfill approval, design, management, monitoring, remediation, landfill gas management services
http://www.bluesphere-enviro.com.au/services.html

Failed Air Tests of Geomembrane Welds Explained (Video)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W60VvLNCGFY

Training to Checking the Integrity of Geomembrane Linings at Landfill Sites
http://www.twitraining.com/home/news/twi-partnering-with-the-environment-agency-to-train-landfill-inspection-personnel

Zero Leaks of Geomembranes – The New Normal

Fact Sheet on Landfill Cell and Capping Installation
http://www.teneogroup.com.au/wp-content/uploads/Landfill-Cell-and-Capping-2.pdf

This Newsletter is brought to you by Excelplas Labs, Australia’s Largest group of Geomembrane Testing Labs.

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