Recycled Cross-Linked Polyethylene Foam Used for Floating Covers

This paper focuses on the use of recycled cross-linked polyethylene foam aggregates in conjunction with nonwoven geotextiles to produce a composite used for floating covers. These floating geosynthetic cover systems provide effective odor and air emissions control for manure storage structures, waste retention ponds and other odorous lagoons. This design approach allows rainwater to pass through the cover while scrubbing the odorous gases—thus avoiding collection, pumping, and associated maintenance/cost. Additional benefits include insulating properties that aid in the anaerobic process, blockage of sunlight to preclude algae growth, and water loss reduction due to evaporation. Heretofore typical available permeable covers to offer an aerobic environment were made from straw, peat-moss, or similar organic materials. However, these organic materials exhibit performance deficiency with respect to buoyancy and structural integrity. Further, they are vulnerable to wind, rain, hail, and fire damage.