BTEX Migration through Various Geomembranes and Vapor Barriers
Publication: Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 142, Issue 10
Abstract
Four polyethylene based vapor barriers and six different geomembranes were examined for their diffusive properties with respect to benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes (BTEX). All four vapor barriers performed comparably. Of the geomembranes tested, high-density polyethylene (HDPE) showed the greatest diffusive resistance to BTEX, while polyvinyl chloride (PVC) showed the least, LLDPE (linear low-density polyethylene), CSPE (chlorosulphonated polyethylene) and two KEE/EIA (ketone ethylene ester/ethylene interpolymer alloy) geomembranes all performed similarly, bounded by HDPE and PVC. Based on data collected at 22, 30, and 40°C, Arrhenius relationships are presented for the six geomembranes. Each geomembrane was evaluated for performance as a diffusive barrier in a landfill cover scenario. Each vapor barrier and two geomembranes were evaluated, through contaminant transport modeling, for performance as a diffusive barrier to vapor intrusion into a warehouse and substantial potential differences in performance are reported.
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Acknowledgments
The writers would like to thank Kuraray America and Geosyntec Consultants for funding this project. The value of discussion with R. Armstrong and E. Chow (Kuraray America) and G. Corcoran (Geosyntec Consultants) as well as assistance provided by the Analytical Services Unit at Queen’s University, specifically Dr. A. Rutter, M. Thompson, and P. Whitley, are all very gratefully acknowledged.
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Published In
Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 142 • Issue 10 • October 2016
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© 2016 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Sep 13, 2015
Accepted: Jan 21, 2016
Published online: May 23, 2016
Published in print: Oct 1, 2016
Discussion open until: Oct 23, 2016
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