Predicted temperatures and service lives of secondary geomembrane landfill liners. Issue 2 (April 2009)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rowe, R. K.; Hoor, A.
• Is Part Of: Geosynthetics international. Volume 16:Issue 2(2009)
• Page Start: 71
• Page End: 82
• Publication Date: 2009-04
• Subjects: Geosynthetics -- Geomembranes -- Secondary liners -- Temperature -- Service life -- Thermal conductivity; Geosynthetics -- Periodicals; Geosynthetics; Periodicals; 624.1892
• DOI: 10.1680/gein.2009.16.2.71
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1072-6349

Abstract

Abstract : The heat flow through double composite landfill liner systems is modelled for different liner configurations and different modes of landfill operation. The estimated temperature is used to estimate the likely service life (SL) of the secondary geomembrane (SGM) and to compare this with the SL of the primary geomembrane (PGM). The results show that the temperature in SGM is high enough to impact on its SL, and this should be considered in the design of landfill liners. The SL of the SGM was a minimum for an all-geosynthetic system, ranging between 310 years if the PGM temperature is at or below 30°C and 50 years when the PGM is at 50°C. This SL could be improved to between 390 years at 30°C and 75 years at 50°C by the use of a primary composite liner involving a GM and either a GCL and a 1 m thick foundation layer or a 1 m thick CCL. These predictions assume that the temperature of the primary liner remains constant over the period of time being considered. Consideration of a temperature–time history will give longer estimates of service life for a given peak liner temperature. Nevertheless, this study suggests that the temperature of the secondary liner requires consideration in the design of MSW landfills to ensure that the SL of the system is likely to exceed the contaminating lifespan for a particular design.