What Are The Different Methods For Conducting Liner Integrity Tests?

Industrial & Manufacturing Blog

Geomembranes are special liners that enclose hazardous wastes in various applications, including the food industry, landfills, dams, tail ponds, and fish farms. The geomembranes mustn't have any leaks as that can result in environmental pollution and contamination of industrial processes. That's why it's critical to conduct regular liner integrity test checks for leaks and fix them as soon as possible. There are three standard liner integrity testing methods based on the nature of your application, i.e., bare geomembrane, spark, and water-covered geomembrane testing. This piece provides a detailed overview of the difference between these testing methods.

Methods of Conducting Liner Integrity Test

The following are ways you can conduct liner integrity tests in your company.

Bare Geomembrane Method

This testing method involves finding leaks by spraying water on bare non-conductive geomembrane to create an electrically conductive layer. It entails two methods, i.e., the water puddle and the water-lanced method. The water puddle method involves liners that don't feature steep slopes, whereas the water-lanced method is designed for liners with steep slopes. In both methods, a technician places an electrode with a low voltage power supply against a conductive material on the other side of the liner. After that, they put another electrode directly into a puddle of water sprayed with a lined substrate to complete an electric circuit, which they use to test liner membrane leaks. The technician knows if there's a leak on an area of the liner membrane when there's an increase in voltage in the circuit and a relatively loud sound. They then mark the area with leaks and repair them. 

Water-Covered Geomembrane Method 

Unlike the bare geomembrane method, water-covered geomembrane testing is a liner integrity test involving non-conductive geomembranes that are not entirely bare. When using this method, a technician uses a unique dipole scanning probe and manually inspects the whole liner surface. The dipole scanning probe ensures that any liquid on top of the liner membrane doesn't affect the test's success. It senses leaks and maps the areas to enable easy repairs. 

Arc or Spark Testing Method 

The arc or spark method is another type of liner testing that involves bare non-conductive material. The key difference with this testing method is that it doesn't require the use of water. The technician places a high-voltage electrode with a low current flow above the geomembrane and grounds it to the conductive layer below it. If there's a leak, an electrical arc or a spark alongside an audible alarm is produced. Since this method doesn't involve water use, it allows faster detection of leaks, making it suitable for liner construction projects such as tanks, ponds, and landfills. 

Contact a company like Beyond Leak Detection to learn more. 

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30 September 2022

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