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Vadose - Model GCLs -Bentonite and Geosynthetic Clay Liners for Environmental Applications
Geosynthetic Clay Liners (GCLs) are engineered solutions that integrate two geotextiles containing a layer of sodium bentonite or polymer-enhanced clay. These liners attribute their consistent low permeability to the encapsulated clay intended for a variety of environmental and containment operations. They possess the ability to seal around penetrations, self-heal punctures, and self-seam at the overlaps, making them reliable for diverse applications. The GCLs by CETCO, including the Bentomat and Resistex series, cater specifically to water containment and waste management sectors. The Bentomat series is typically applied in water containment settings like ponds and reservoirs, while the Resistex GCLs, engineered with polymer-modification, provide enhanced compatibility with aggressive leachates encountered in waste containment. The choice between standard bentonite or polymer-modified GCLs is determined by on-site conditions, ensuring the right shear strength and chemical compatibility for each project.
A geosynthetic clay liner (GCL) is comprised of two geotextiles that are needlepunched together, encapsulating a layer of sodium bentonite clay or polymer-enhanced clay between them. GCLs are known for having consistent, very low permeability. They have the unique ability to seal around penetrations, self-heal punctures, and self-seam at the overlaps.
GCLs are widely used for water containment applications (ponds, reservoirs, channels, etc). In these instances, the Bentomat CL series of GCL are used (scroll below).
For waste containment applications, depending on the chemistry of the material in contact with the GCL, a standard bentonite-based GCL or a polymer-modified GCL will be selected. Additionally, site conditions will dictate the interface and internal shear strength requirements. CETCO BENTOMAT and Resistex GCLs are available in a variety of geoxtextile configurations to meet site-specific shear strength requirements.
Contact us to support with selecting the appropriate GCL for your project. We have a database of previous compatibility and shear strength testing. Additionally, we can coordinate site-specific compatibility and shear testing for your project.
Bulk Bentonite
In some cases, site soils may not be conducive to containing water on their own. When the soil is borderline, blending bentonite might be a cost-effective approach to hauling low-permeability clay or a synthetic lining material.
Bulk bentonite is available in granular or powdered variations. Typical applications for bulk bentonite include blending with site soils to decrease the hydraulic conductivity, in ISS applications, or slurry walls.
Bentomat GCLs
Sodium bentonite-based GCLs provide an excellent hydraulic barrier in applications where the leachate is relatively non-aggressive, or in composite lining applications where the GCL is overlain by a thermally welded geomembrane.
Resistex GCLs
CETCO RESISTEX GCLs are polymer-modified bentonite GCLs that are engineered to provide the highest level of chemical compatibility for hydraulic barrier performance in extremely aggressive leachate environments. We recommend project-specific compatibility testing for the proper selection from the RESISTEX family of GCLs.