Why get a geomembrane liner integrity test done?

Introduction

Geomembranes, or geo-liners, are the most commonly used method to prevent soil contamination from leaking into water bodies or groundwater. They also prevent leachate from leaking into the ground and contaminating nearby water sources.

Geomembranes are made of polyethylene (PE) plastic and have a high tensile strength that allows them to hold back solid waste and other materials within a landfill site. In some cases, geomembranes can also be used as secondary liners under clay soils that cannot withstand heavier loads without breaking down over time. Geomembrane linear integrity testing is an essential process for testing geomembranes.

Crucial in detecting punctures and tears in the liner.

Geomembrane liners are made of plastic and can be damaged by punctures and tears. Several things may cause these

• • Abrasion—large objects moving over the liner, such as large machinery or vehicles with tires that are too large for the area where they’re operating
  • Corrosion—elements that cause corrosion, such as salts in water or acids in soil
  • Explosions—high-pressure gas lines exploding near your geomembrane liner, which also has high tensile strength and would hold up to impact under pressure (but not constantly!)

The process can isolate areas that need repairs.

You can use the geomembrane linear integrity testing to isolate areas that need repairs. It can also help identify areas that have been improperly welded and punctured or torn.

Can locate areas that have been improperly welded.

We’ve all heard the stories of geomembrane liners being improperly welded and leaking, but what does that mean? Well, for starters, it means that you may have a larger-than-expected problem on your hands.

Geomembranes are designed to protect groundwater from contamination by containing liquids within their chambers (we know this because they’re made of plastic). This containment is only effective when the liner’s integrity is intact—in other words, if there’s even one hole in your geomembrane liner, then all bets are off.

You might think improper welding could only lead to small holes in your geomembrane liner, but this isn’t always the case. An improperly welded joint can make it very difficult to detect leaks or cause leaks due to flaws in construction quality control measures like seam inspection techniques or poor material selection criteria. This can lead to an increased risk of failures during installation, so while fixing small holes may seem like no big deal, it could mean something much worse down the road if not appropriately addressed.

Can detect seepage and possible future leaks through micro-perforations.

Micro-perforations in geomembranes are small holes in the material that can lead to a leak, and they often occur due to improper installation or corrosion. Geomembrane liner integrity testing is one way for pipeline operators to detect micro-perforations before a leak occurs.

For example, suppose you’re installing a new pipeline, and your crew improperly installs the geomembrane liner along its length. In that case, there may be areas where it’s not entirely tight against the ground or other materials surrounding it. These areas will have gaps where moisture can contact the geomembrane and cause corrosion of its steel reinforcements over time—which could lead to micro-perforations through which water could seep later during the regular operation of your pipeline system.

Several reasons it’s crucial to get your geomembrane liners tested.

There are several reasons why it’s crucial to get your geomembrane liners tested for integrity.

• • It can detect punctures and tears in the liner.
  • The process will isolate areas that require repairs.
  • It can locate areas that have been improperly welded, which leads to leaking and unnecessary repair costs down the road.
  • It detects seepage and possible future leaks through micro-perforations

Conclusion

If you are looking to ensure the safety of your water reservoir, you must get your geomembrane liners tested for integrity. This will help prevent future leaks, seepage and other issues that can cause severe problems down the road.