Containment

While specifications are to help provide stability, consistency and professionalism in engineering and construction, they can also lead to problems--especially when their authors do not seem to see the full implications of their assumptions. In example, Ian Peggs of I-CORP INTERNATIONAL writes about the placement of leak location in specifications and how some of these specs provide CQC but not real CQA. Errors of assumption like this may lead to facility failures.

Periodic in-service measurements--including high pressure oxidative induction time, carbonyl index (FTIR), and stress cracking resistance--should provide a few years advance warning of exposed high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and polypropylene (PP) liner end-of-life (EOL), thereby preventing unexpected very expensive catastrophic liner failures.

Whales (bubbles above the water level) in a lined wastewater pond are usually caused by leaking water that cannot be removed, which in turn generates methane that also cannot be removed. Minimize leakage through the liner (there will inevitably be some), provide a functioning leakage removal (monitoring) system, and a functioning gas venting system. A nonwoven geotextile alone under the geomembrane is not sufficient to do this.

Liner designers and regulators should note that it is NOT possible to perform a geoelectric integrity or leak location survey on a double geomembrane lining system when there is only a geocomposite in the leakage detection system (LDS) between the two geomembranes unless the LDS is backfilled with water. This can be costly, time-consuming, and even damaging to the liner if it is uplifted. Additional ballast on the liner may be required. And side slope liners cannot be tested. Plan ahead and use conductive geomembrane, or place a conductive geotextile or a geosynthetic clay liner (GCL) directly under the primary geomembrane.

The Asia Mining Congress (23-27 March 2009, Singapore) is has released its full program. Download the program, access speaker information, and more in the latest online newsletter for the conference. Learn more here.;

The Business Coordination House (BCH) of India has published its latest quartlerly newsletter. This issue contains articles on the world economy (and the importance of emerging markets, such as India), geosynthetic applications in railways, agrotextiles, an interview with a government official on manufacturing, and more. Read it in PDF via the BCH website. Learn more here.;

Geosynthetics 2009 is the largest geosynthetics industry event in North America. This biennial event will explore important issues affecting water resources, mining, construction, and regulatory communities in the US, Canadian and Mexican markets. Register by 16 January 2009 to secure the best rates. The event will take place 25-27 February 2009 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Erosion Control magazine's editor, Janice Kaspersen, has published an entry on her blog about the massive fly ash spill in Kingston, Tennessee. She seeks comment from the field regarding the implications of the spill on future construction and fly ash use, cleanup strategies, and affiliated topics. Learn more here.;

When the Greenfield Irrigation District, headquartered in Fairfield, Montana, decided to rehabilitate a 5-1/2-mile sub-lateral canal in its elaborate network of canals in west-central Montana, they decided to try something new—at least new to them: a geomembrane lining system. Jeff PanKonie of Firestone writes for CE News. Learn more here.;

We're seeing a high volume of articles appear regarding how various states control fly ash disposal from coal-fired power plants. The Tennessee Valley Authority's ash reservoir collapse has highlighted how dangerous coal ash disposal can be--especially in the absence of regulation. The New York Times today has published a piece on the lack of regulation in this particular waste sector, and about the tremendous range of uses fly ash (including elevated arsenic levels) has been put to: road aggregate, agricultural soil stability, remediation, and much more. Learn more here.;

In 2003, the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) rejected more costly solutions to fix the coal-ash landfill at TVA's power plant in Kingston, Tennessee. These solutions would have included the types of walls and containment liners used in other waste facilities but which are not required in most states for fly ash. After rejecting options that cost up to $25 million, the TVA installed trenches and other drainage mechanisms in an attempt to relieve the water pressure. Last month, the walls burst and flooded 300 acres of land with contaminated coal ash. Learn more here.;

Neabsco Creek in eastern Prince William County, Virginia is a tributary to the Potomac River and has been part of commerce in the region since the 18th century. Its commercial importance has gradually become recreational and environmental, but significant habitat degradation has led to the need to repair drainage zones and eroding slopes. Maccaferri Inc. provided design assistance and supplied gabions for the site's correction. Read about this case study and others in Steve Goldberg's article "Channel Protection Measures" in the January/February 2009 issue of Erosion Control. Learn more here.;

TRI/Environmental has steadily (often quietly) added to its testing and training business over the years, but 2008 may have its most significant. New hires (including industry veteran Rich Lacey) have strengthened the efficiency and skill of TRI's work; new testing equipment has greatly expanded the company's capabilities, especially in geotechnical areas; TRI has achieved AASHTO's American Materials Research Laboratory (AMRL) certification; electrical resistivity testing training continues with participants coming from all over the world; the Denver Downs large-scale testing facility is maturing; and much more. It's been an important 2008 and bodes well for a strong future. Read TRI's annual letter for the full story.

On 27 February 2009, the Geosynthetic Institute will deliver the 22nd installment of its GRI conference series. GRI-22 has been formed under the title "It's All in the Details." These shorter, discussion-prompting presentations will group under the headings of materials and testing, field installation, field performance, and new devices, concepts and presentations. Though a one-day event, GRI-22 is going to be as full as one would hope. Seventeen presentations will be given, as will time for discussion. It's a can't miss event in the geosynthetics field. We encourage everyone to attend--GRI-22 is co-located with Geosynthetics 2009 (Salt Lake City, 25-27 February 2009). Here is the final program for the event, courtesy of Drs. Robert and George Koerner of the Geosynthetic Institute.

Ireland's Sunday Business Post has published short interview's with 10 businesses on surviving, and even thriving, in a down economy. The last section in the article includes an interview with FLI Environmental's Michael Flynn. "...we will all just have to find a new way of doing business," Flynn says. "This year will be all about sharpening our focus and controlling our costs." Read more in the Post. Learn more here.;

To reflect its expanded coverage of the scrap and recycling industry, the publication Waste News is changing its name to Waste & Recycling News beginning with the 5 January 2009 issue. The current plan is to publish a special section on scrap 18 times per year, beginning in February 2009. Learn more here.;

Warm island life can be admirable…but landfilling issues are usually costlier. In the US territory of Guam, the proposed new double-liner cell system for a much-needed 141-acre site is a difficult pill to swallow. Guam reluctance to adopt federally mandated environmental controls led to the waste collection and disposal network being put in receivership. The receiver estimates $113 million is needed to construct and operate the new site. But once the plan is put in place, Guam will finally have a modern landfill capable of supporting its population safely. Learn more here.;

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) will soon embark on a $6.6 million cleanup of a former smelter site from World War I. Consolidation and capping of roughly 164,000 cubic yards of onsite soil and waste will be carried out. Additionally, 33,000 cubic yards of onsite sediment must be managed and site reuse assured. The zinc smelter was closed 93 years ago. Learn more here.;

The massive coal ash retention pond breach in Tennessee has reignited debate about how best to dispose of coal ash. Too often, ash is buried in unlined cells. And, increasingly, opposition is being raised over the construction of unlined cells. Though it will cost more in the short run, the construction of proper waste containment cells, with liners and fully engineered, reinforced earth walls, seems to be the right solution.

The latest updates from ASTM International are available. In this final update for 2008, we have a new standard and work item from Committee D35 on Geosynthetics and a few items from the recently quite prolific Committee D18 on Soil and Rock. Visit the ASTM Update page for details.

An update from Ohio now where operators of the Brown County landfill had hoped to expand from its current 72.5 acres to 208 acres. Even though the Environmental Protection Agency had been in agreement that this significant expansion could be done safely--Ohio, many readers will recall, has been the site of many landfill concerns this past year, including a major cell fire--the site operators scaled back their request to 153 acres. Liner installation on the next phase should begin in late spring 2009 or early summer. Learn more here.;

Universal Engineering Sciences Inc., Orlando, Florida seeks a Geosynthetic Technician. The brief note online lists general qualifications as 10,000,000 sq. ft. of liner inspection for waste contamment, nuclear density certification, and ACI certification. For more information, read the posted at Engineer Jobs. Learn more here.;

UK-based Applied Market Information (AMI) has launched the digital magazine Compounding World to cover compounding, masterbatch production, and the various materials and markets affected and influenced by these early points in the manufacturing chain. Many readers of geosynthetica will know AMI from its series of conferences around the world, such as Waterproof Membranes, Plastics in Underground Pipes, and Polymer Sourcing. Read the first issue (December 2008) of Compounding World online. Learn more here.;

NAUE's geosynthetic business has truly become global. A brief news piece from Germany looks at the company's work from Espelkamp and Lübbecke, its reinforcement and barrier technologies, and key personnel. (In German.) Learn more here.;

An Australia-based engineering office seeks an Associate Director - Geotechnical. The position's responsibilities include the planning and design of Civil/Geotechnical related projects, such as feasibility and strategic studies, scheme reviews, concept plans, detailed designs and tender documentation. Projects may include mining waste management, tailings management, heap leach pad design, waste characterisation, rock mechanics, water management, environment and mine closure. Learn more. Learn more here.;