Containment

In the February/March 2011 issue of Film and Sheet Extrusion, Dr. Sally Humphreys writes on various aspects of the waterproofing membranes, including the utilization of EVOH in the production of geomembranes for controlling volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Kuraray's EVAL unit has become a world leader in this technology. Geomembrane applications that may benefit greatly from these developments include heap leach mining, oil sands tailings, concrete liners and biodigesters, and more. Read more about this and other market segments in Dr. Humphrey's article.

Leak location technology has greatly improved construction quality assurance (CQA) measures and, thus, geosynthetic lining system performance. But while the benefits of geoelectric surveys cannot be disputed, one should understand that not all lining systems are immediately survey-able. Ian Peggs' short tech note on double liner systems illuminates this issue but establishing minimum boundaries and pointing out troubles (challenges to surveys) that may result from certain system arrangements.

The Elan Valley Aqueduct (EVA) is an important part of the water supply for Birmingham City (Wales) and its surrounding area. The principal structure is 100 years old. The...

Raven Industries, Inc. has announced record sales and earnings for the first quarter of its 2012 fiscal year, which ended April 30, 2011. All divisions posted strong increases in sales, driven by demand for the company's precision agriculture and engineered film products, as well as military parachutes. Daniel Rykhus, president and CEO, commented that the company is "making a concerted effort to increase capacity for [the Engineered Films Division] in the coming year." He noted that Raven has upgraded its cast extruder line to produce texturized films for geomembrane applications and that capacity for specialty film capabilities have been significantly increased.

Brownfields 2011--the 14th National Brownfields Conference--will take place 3-5 April 2011 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia. The event is the largest, most comprehensive conference in the United States focused on cleaning up and redeveloping abandoned, underutilized, and potentially contaminated properties. The US Environmental Protection Agency is significantly involved in the conference. Learn more here.;

The Province of British Columbia, Canada, is providing $1.06 million in funding for 12 brownfield sites to support environmental investigations, Agriculture and Lands Minister Steve Thomson has announced. "The Brownfield Renewal Strategy program is focused on encouraging the redevelopment of under-used lands that have potential for community benefit," said Thomson. "The goal is for this funding to support the initial environmental work necessary to return these sites back into productive use…." Read more, including a list of projects, in the release.

Alberta Oil magazine says forget potash; oil sands is the driver of investment and interest in Saskatchewan. The province is now the #2 oil sands producer. The succinct piece on the magazine's website is supported by a nice graphic of development zones and key stats on production. Learn more here.;

New York's Crown Point Reservation is a historic landmark. Geomembrane-lined coffer dams are being used to enable some critical bulkhead reinforcement work and a zebra mussel-removal scheme below water. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) is also improving drainage works and stabilizing the shoreline. Learn more here.;

The Swabian Gate Weir was constructed in 1873 on the Dreisam River in Freiburg/Breisgau, Germany. The historic installation was listed for monument protection, but its decaying state began to...

Royal Ten Cate (TenCate) and Noel P Hunt International Limited have reached agreement on the takeover of the TenCate 50% interest in the joint venture Geofabrics Australasia Pty Ltd of Cheltenham (Australia). The takeover price of the shares amounts to AUD 40 million (approximately €23 million). The book profit on the sale of the 50% interest amounts to approximately €11 million and will be incorporated in the half-year figures of TenCate. Read more in the release.

The Spartanburg Herald Journal (South Carolina) has published an article about Dan Hargett, a 63-year-old businessman who is now the driving force behind GeoHay, an erosion and sediment control product derived from recycled carpet fibers. Learn more here.;

Representatives of Waste Management Inc. conducted an open house at a landfill site in Three Rivers, Michigan. Lining systems were explained, a new cell's preparation was discussion, and a 270,000-sq.-ft. cap served as a model for long-term containment. Learn more here.;

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.

A slideshow of whales in geomembrane lining systems. When gas gets under a geomembrane, bubbles--or, "whales"--can form. A number of reasons may be responsible, such as installation damage, poor...

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has finalized a rule helping to protect the nation’s water quality by requiring concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) to safely manage manure. EPA estimates CAFO regulations will prevent 56 million pounds of phosphorus, 110 million pounds of nitrogen, and 2 billion pounds of sediment from entering streams, lakes, and other waters annually. Read more in the release.

The Torrington Telegram reports on its city's problem with old, unlined landfills. It also includes how an 88-acre site operated by TDS Environmental Services, combined with a high-tech garbage baler, may allow for up to 100 years of waste disposal operations. Learn more here.;

After years of planning, the organizers of GeoAmericas 2016 are enjoying the event’s transition into the active phases of interaction with authors, sponsors, exhibitors, and attendees. More than 400...

A Federal judge on Friday ruled in a CERCLA lawsuit that plaintiffs NCR Corp. and Appleton Papers Inc. are liable for an estimated $950 million in combined cleanup costs and reimbursement of natural resource damages related to PCB contamination at the nation's largest Superfund site, located in eastern Wisconsin. The cleanup operations have used an extensive amount of geosynthetics, such as geotextile tubes.

The winners of the New Zealand-based National Bank Young Farmer of the Year contest have been announced. Twenty-nine-year-old Tim O'Sullivan, who also operates Canterbury Environmental Liners, was one of the seven awardees. Within its product line, Canterbury distribures Firestone lining materials. O'Sullivan has successfully combined a dairy operations background with his geosynthetic lining business. Congratulations on the award, Tim! Learn more here.;

To build a $140-million cobalt mine in a national forest in Idaho, tiny Vancouver junior miner Formation Metals Inc. turned to the state's chief rainmaker, Cecil Andrus. Mr. Andrus was Idaho's longest-serving governor, a Democrat who was elected four times. The company wanted to unearth a metal used in turbines for jet engines and batteries, where demand could spike as electric cars become more common. It would be the only cobalt-focused mine in the United States. More than $600 million in cobalt is used in the United States each year. The top cobalt producting countries are the Democratic Republic of Congo and Canada. Learn more here.;

According to JEC Group, nonwoven geotextiles are expected to be in great demand in India as nearly 10,000 km of coastal roads are planned. Also, significant waterway connection projects are planned for India, which may require or benefit greatly from other geosynthetic stabilization and containment technologies. Learn more here.;

The geosynthetics industry has received some interesting acquisition news: South Dakota-based manufacturer Raven Industries, Inc. (NASDAQ:RAVN) has signed an asset purchase agreement to acquire fabrication, installation, and design-build service provider...

The Bulletin of Bend, Oregon has published a little Q & A with geomembrane specialty company BTL. In the past year, BTL has moved into an even larger facility--this following a short stint at what seemed to be a large enough new home but that didn't meet BTL's capabilities and client needs. The profile and interview includes discussion of the economy, industry challenges and projections for 2009. Learn more here.;

Former head of Allied Waste Industries, Larry Henk, has published a special op-ed piece in Arizona-based newspaper The Explorer, regarding the proposed Marana Regional Landfill. Henk discusses the role played by landfill liners, federal regulations and more. And he opens with perhaps the only Gilda Radner reference ever uncorked for a waste management debate. Learn more here.;

Geosynthetics Middle East 2011 will take place under the patronage of Abu Dhabi Municipality 25-26 October 2011 in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Key themes include transportation, environmental and water applications, polymeric product development, design and installation, testing and cqa, and standards and regulations. Abstract submissions for consideration are due by 16 June 2011.