Antioxidant Depletion from a High Density Polyethylene Geomembrane under Simulated Landfill Conditions
Publication: Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 136, Issue 7
Abstract
Accelerated aging tests to evaluate the depletion of antioxidants from a high density polyethylene geomembrane are described. The effects of temperature, high pressure, and continuous leachate circulation on the aging of geomembranes in composite liner systems are examined. The antioxidant depletion rates (0.05, 0.19, and at 55, 70, and , respectively) obtained for the simulated landfill liner at 250 kPa vertical pressure are consistently lower than that obtained from traditional leachate immersion tests on the same geomembrane (0.12, 0.39, and at 55, 70, and ). This difference leads to a substantial increase in antioxidant depletion times at a typical landfill liner temperature with 40 years predicted based on the data from the landfill liner simulators tests, compared to 15 years predicted for the same geomembrane based on leachate immersion tests. In these tests, the crystallinity and tensile yield strain of the geomembrane increased in the early stages of aging and then remained relatively constant over the testing period. There was no significant change in other geomembrane properties within the testing period.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
Acknowledgments
Funding for the development of the research infrastructure was provided by the Canada Foundation for Innovation, the Ontario Innovation Trust, the Ontario Research Fund Award and Queen’s University. This research was funded by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada through a Strategic Project Grant No. NSERCSTPGP 322115–05 and by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment through the Best-In-Science program. This investigation into the long-term performance of geosynthetic liner systems was done in partnership with the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Terrafix Geosynthetics Inc., Solmax International Inc., AMEC Earth and Environmental, Gartner Lee, Golder Associates, CTT Group, and Dr. Grace Hsuan from Drexel University. The valuable contributions by Messrs L. Rhymer, N. Porter, S. Prunster, and B. Muller to the design of the GLLSs are greatly appreciated.
References
ASTM. (2008a). “Flow rates of thermoplastics by extrusion plastometer.” D1238, West Conshocken, Pa.
ASTM. (2008b). “Standard test method for density of plastics by the density-gradient technique.” D1505, West Conshocken, Pa.
ASTM. (2008c). “Standard test method for determining tensile properties of nonreinforced polyethylene and nonreinforced flexible polypropylene geomembranes.” D6693, West Conshocken, Pa.
ASTM. (2008d). “Standard test method for evaluation of stress crack resistance of polyolefin geomembranes using notched constant tensile load test.” D5397, West Conshocken, Pa.
ASTM. (2008e). “Standard test method for grab breaking load and elongation of geotextiles.” D4632, West Conshocken, Pa.
ASTM. (2008f). “Standard test method for measuring mass per unit area of geosynthetic clay liners.” D5993, West Conshocken, Pa.
ASTM. (2008g). “Standard test method for measuring mass per unit area of geotextiles.” D5261, West Conshocken, Pa.
ASTM. (2008h). “Standard test method for measuring the nominal thickness of geosynthetics.” D5199, West Conshocken, Pa.
ASTM. (2008i). “Standard test method for melting and crystallization temperatures by thermal analysis.” E794, West Conshocken, Pa.
ASTM. (2008j). “Standard test method for oxidative-induction time of polyolefins by differential scanning calorimetry.” D3895, West Conshocken, Pa.
ASTM. (2008k). “Standard test method for oxidative induction time of polyolefin geosynthetics by high-pressure differential scanning calorimetry.” D5885, West Conshocken, Pa.
Bouazza, A., Vangpaisal, T., Abuel-Naga, H., and Kodikara, J. (2008). “Analytical modelling of gas leakage rate through a geosynthetic clay liner—Geomembrane composite liner due to a circular defect in the geomembrane.” Geotext. Geomembr., 26(2), 122–129.
Brachman, R. W. I., and Gudina, S. (2002). “A new laboratory apparatus for testing geomembranes under large earth pressures.” Proc., 55th Canadian Geotech. Conf., CGS, Niagara Falls, Ont., 993–1000.
Brachman, R. W. I., and Gudina, S. (2008a). “Gravel contacts and geomembrane strains for a GM/CCL composite liner.” Geotext. Geomembr., 26(6), 448–459.
Brachman, R. W. I., and Gudina, S. (2008b). “Geomembrane strains from coarse gravel and wrinkles in a GM/GCL composite liner.” Geotext. Geomembr., 26(6), 488–497.
Brachman, R. W. I., Rowe, R. K., Arnepalli, D. N., Dickinson, S., Islam, M. Z., and Sabir, A. (2008). “Development of an apparatus to simulate the ageing of geomembranes under chemical exposure, elevated temperatures and applied stresses.” Proc., GeoAmericas 2008 Conf., IFAI, Roseville, Minn., 444–451.
Brady, K. C., McMahon, W., and Lamming, G. (1994). “Thirty-year ageing of plastics.” Project Rep. No. 11, Transport Research Laboratory, Berkshire, U.K., E472A/BG.
Brandrup, J., Immergut, E. H., and Grulke, E. A. (1999). Polymer handbook, 4th Ed., Wiley, New York.
Dopico Garcia, M. S. D., López, J. M., Bouza, R., Abad, M. J., Soto, E. G., and Rodríguez, M. V. G. (2004). “Extraction and quantification of antioxidants from low-density polyethylene by microwave energy and liquid chromatography.” Anal. Chim. Acta, 521(2), 179–188.
Dörner, G., and Lang, R. W. (1998). “Influence of various stabilizer systems on the ageing behavior of PE-MD-I: Hot-water ageing of compression molded plaques.” Polym. Degrad. Stab., 62(3), 421–430.
Fay, J. J., and King, R. E. (1994). “GRI conference series: Antioxidants for geosynthetic resins and applications.” Geosynthetic resins, formulations and manufacturing, Y. G. Hsuan and R. M. Koerner, eds., IFIA, St. Paul, Minn., 77–96.
Gedde, U. W., Viebke, J., Leijstrom, H., and Ifwarson, M. (1994). “Long-term properties of hot-water polyolefin pipes: a review.” Polym. Eng. Sci., 34(24), 1773–1787.
Gulec, S. B., Edil, T. B., and Benson, C. H. (2004). “Effect of acidic mine drainage on the polymer properties of an HDPE geomembrane.” Geosynthet. Int., 2(11), 60–72.
Haider, N., and Karlsson, S. (2002). “Loss and transformation products of the aromatic antioxidants in MDPE film under long-term exposure to biotic and abiotic conditions.” J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 85(5), 974–988.
Hrapovic, L. (2001). “Laboratory study of intrinsic degradation of organic pollutants in compacted clayey soil.” Ph.D. thesis, The Univ. of Western Ontario, London, Ont.
Hsuan, Y. G., and Guan, Z. (1998). “Antioxidant depletion during thermal oxidation of high density polyethylene geomembranes.” Proc., 6th Int. Conf. on Geosynt., Vol. 1, IFAI, Roseville, Minn., 375–380.
Hsuan, Y. G., and Koerner, R. M. (1995). “Long-term durability of HDPE geomembrane. Part 1: Depletion of antioxidant.” GRI Rep. No. 16, Geosynthetic Research Institute, Drexel University, Pa.
Hsuan, Y. G., and Koerner, R. M. (1998). “Antioxidant depletion lifetime in high density polyethylene geomembranes.” J. Geotech. Geoenviron. Eng., 124(6), 532–541.
Islam, M. Z. (2009). “Long-term performance of HDPE geomembranes as landfill liners.” Ph.D. thesis, Queens’ Univ., Kingston, Ont.
Jeon, H. Y., Bouazza, A., and Lee, K. Y. (2008). “Depletion of antioxidants from an HDPE geomembrane upon exposure to acidic and alkaline solutions.” Polym. Test., 27(4), 434–440.
Koerner, R. M., Lord, A. E., and Hsuan, Y. H. (1992). “Arrhenius modeling to predict geosynthetic degradation.” Geotext. Geomembr., 11(2), 151–183.
Maisonneuve, C., Pierson, P., Duquennoi, C., and Morin, A. (1997). “Accelerated aging tests for geomembranes used in landfills.” Proc., 6th Int. Landfill Symp., Vol. 3, CISA, Cagliari, Italy, 207–216.
Muller, W., and Jacob, I. (2003). “Oxidative resistance of high density polyethylene geomembranes.” Polym. Degrad. Stab., 79(1), 161–172.
Peacock, A. (2000). Handbook of polyethylene: Structures, properties and application, Marcel Dekker, New York.
Rimal, S., and Rowe, R. K. (2009a). “Ageing of HDPE geomembranes in jet fuel A-1.” Geosynthet. Int., 16(6), 482–499.
Rimal, S., and Rowe, R. K. (2009b). “Diffusion modelling of OIT depletion from HDPE geomembrane in landfill applications.” Geosynthet. Int., 16(3), 183–196.
Rimal, S., Rowe, R. K., and Hansen, S. (2004). “Durability of geomembrane exposed to jet fuel A-1.” Proc., 57th Canadian Geotech. Conf., Vol. 5D, Quebec City, Que., 13–19.
Rollin, A. L., Mlynarek, J., and Zanescu, A. (1994). “Performance changes in aged in situ HDPE geomembranes.” Landfilling of waste barriers, T. H. Christensen, et al., eds., Chapman & Hall, London, 915–924.
Rowe, R. K., Islam, M. Z., and Hsuan, Y. G. (2008). “Leachate chemical composition effects on OIT depletion in an HDPE geomembrane.” Geosynthet. Int., 15(2), 136–151.
Rowe, R. K., Islam, M. Z., and Hsuan, Y. G. (2010). “Effects of thickness on the ageing of HDPE geomembranes.” J. Geotech. Geoenviron. Eng., 136(2), 299–309.
Rowe, R. K., Mukunoki, T., Bathurst, R. J., Rimal, S., Hurst, P., and Hansen, S. (2007). “Performance of a geocomposite liner for containing Jet A-1 spill in an extreme environment.” Geotext. Geomembr., 25(2), 68–77.
Rowe, R. K., Quigley, R. M., Brachman, R. W. I., and Booker, J. R. (2004). Barrier systems for waste disposal facilities, 2nd Ed., E & FN Spon, London.
Rowe, R. K., and Rimal, S. (2008a). “Ageing of HDPE geomembrane in three composite landfill liner configurations.” J. Geotech. Geoenviron. Eng., 134(7), 906–916.
Rowe, R. K., and Rimal, S. (2008b). “Depletion of antioxidants from an HDPE geomembrane in a composite liner.” J. Geotech. Geoenviron. Eng., 134(1), 68–78.
Rowe, R. K., Rimal, S., and Sangam, H. P. (2009). “Ageing of HDPE geomembrane exposed to air, water and leachate at different temperatures.” Geotext. Geomembr., 27(2), 137–151.
Rowe, R. K., Sangam, H. P., and Lake, C. B. (2003). “Evaluation of an HDPE geomembrane after 14 years as a leachate lagoon liner.” Can. Geotech. J., 40(3), 536–550.
Saidi, F., Touze-Foltz, N., and Goblet, P. (2008). “Numerical modelling of advective flow through composite liners in case of two interacting adjacent square defects in the geomembrane.” Geotext. Geomembr., 26(2), 196–204.
Sangam, H. P. (2001). “Performance of HDPE geomembrane liners in landfill applications.” Ph.D. thesis, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Univ. of Western Ontario, London, Ont.
Sangam, H. P., and Rowe, R. K. (2002). “Effects of exposure conditions on the depletion of antioxidants from high-density polyethylene (HDPE) geomembranes.” Can. Geotech. J., 39(6), 1221–1230.
Schmidt, R. K., Young, C., and Helwitt, J. (1984). “Long term field performance of geomembranes—15 years experience.” Proc., Int. Conf. on Geomemb., Vol. II, IFAI, Roseville, Minn.
Surmann, R., Pierson, P., and Cottour, P. (1995). “Geomembrane liner performance and long term durability.” Proc., 4th Int. Landfill Symp., CISA, Cagliari, Italy, 405–414.
Tognon, A. R. M., Rowe, R. K., and Brachman, R. W. I. (1999). “Evaluation of sidewall friction for a buried pipe testing facility.” Geotext. Geomembr., 17(4), 193–212.
Viebke, J., Elble, E., Ifwarson, M., and Gedde, U. W. (1994). “Degradation of unstabilized medium-density polyethylene pipes in hot-water applications.” Polym. Eng. Sci., 34(17), 1354–1361.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 136 • Issue 7 • July 2010
Pages: 930 - 939
Copyright
© 2010 ASCE.
History
Received: Dec 3, 2008
Accepted: Nov 26, 2009
Published online: Dec 4, 2009
Published in print: Jul 2010
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.