Prediction of lifetime and chemical compatibility of High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) geomembranes when used in landfills and stabilization ponds

• Grant number: 12/07471-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: June 01, 2012
• End date: May 31, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Civil Engineering - Geotechnical Engineering
• Principal Investigator: Paulo César Lodi
• Grantee: Manoel Flores Garcia Junior
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Engenharia (FE). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Bauru. Bauru , SP, Brazil

Abstract

This work will provide the lifetime of High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) geomembranes in contact with leachate and stillage (residues typical of environmental works). The samples are exposed to the waste in the laboratory by periods (1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 months) at elevated temperatures of 85, 75, 65, and 55 degrees. The physical and tensile properties and oxidation time (OIT) of material will be assessed every 30 days for a comparison of the results with the results of these samples intact. Thus, it is possible to evaluate the loss of properties in contact with the waste (chemical compatibility) and at the same time, make the prediction of the lifetime of the material using a mathematical model that extrapolates the results to lower temperatures test. The principle of the model is to consider that the activation energy of the material is the same in both high and low temperatures. Thus, it is possible to extrapolate the behavior of the material in the usual condition for use when tested at high temperatures. The comparison between the values of the simulation results of tensile tests and oxidation time will be done to determine which provides these values are more conservative and is according to the literature.(AU)