Geosynthetic Clay Liners

Geosynthetic clay liners (GCLs) serve as effective hydraulic barriers, composed of a layer of low-permeability materials like bentonite, supported by geotextiles and/or geomembranes. These products are typically interconnected through various methods such as needle-punching, stitching, or chemical adhesives. GCL liners offer distinct benefits for containment purposes, distinguishing them from Compacted Clay Liners (CCL). In terms of hydraulic conductivity, GCL liners demonstrate superior performance. They require less skilled labor and are cost-effective to install compared to CCL. Additionally, GCL liners have a shallower soil base excavation requirement than CCL, reducing the disruption of native soil. Furthermore, they exhibit excellent resistance during freeze/thaw cycles, making them easily repairable. Within the geoenvironmental industry, Geosynthetic clay liners (GCLs) have established themselves as reliable sealing solutions. They find applications in landfill caps, base liners for roads and railways, secondary containment for above-ground tank farms, and various other containment structures, such as dams, canals, ponds, rivers, and lakes. Additionally, GCLs are utilized for waterproofing buildings and similar structures.

As the leading GCL installer, IEC has installed GCL liners for numerous environmental containment applications such as landfills, mining, stormwater, and wastewater retention basins. They provide long-lasting resistance to degradation from both physical and environmental factors and are an excellent alternative to conventional compacted clay liners. They are easy and relatively quick to install, and in most cases provide a better and less expensive alternative when compared to clay.

Typical GC Liner applications include:

• Secondary containment
• Landfill liners and caps
• Mine tailings storage
• Wastewater ponds and lagoons
• Canals, stormwater impoundments and wetlands

Options for Producing Geosynthetic Clay Liners (GCLs)

BENTOLINER® offers various production options for geosynthetic clay liners (GCLs), each tailored to specific project needs. These options utilize sodium bentonite, which combines excellent swelling capacity and low permeability with enhanced mechanical properties. Here’s a breakdown of these options:

1. BENTOLINER®: This GCL variant combines reinforced geotextiles for dimensional stability and increased internal shear strength with sodium bentonite. It excels in creating a high-sealing effect and is suitable for applications with steeper slopes and high-load requirements.
2. BENTOLINER® EC: Engineered for flat slope surfaces and low-load applications, this variant combines slightly reinforced geotextiles with sodium bentonite. It provides a superior sealing effect and hydraulic properties compared to compacted clay while also being cost-effective.
3. BENTOLINER® NS: This needle-punched reinforced composite GCL consists of granular sodium bentonite encapsulated between woven and nonwoven geotextiles. It is designed for moderate to steep slopes and moderate to high load applications, offering increased internal shear strength and hydraulic efficiency.
4. BENTOLINER® NSC: With a uniform polypropylene geofilm coating applied to the woven surface, this GCL variant reduces hydraulic conductivity and protects bentonite from aggressive leachates. It suits applications demanding excellent hydraulic conductivity properties on moderate to steep slopes with moderate to high load requirements.
5. BENTOLINER® NW: Engineered for moderate to steep slopes and moderate to high load applications, this GCL features a double nonwoven structure for enhanced shear performance. It combines reinforced geotextiles with sodium bentonite, delivering superior sealing and hydraulic properties.
6. BENTOLINER® CM: Specifically designed for oil and gas secondary containment solutions, this composite liner system includes sodium bentonite distributed between woven and nonwoven geotextiles. Its bright orange color facilitates easy identification during installation and excavation, making it a cost-effective and versatile choice.

These production options offer versatility and performance advantages for a range of geosynthetic clay liner applications, ensuring effective containment and sealing solutions tailored to project-specific requirements.

Geosynthetic clay liners (GC Liners) pricing can vary depending on project size and location and can be influenced by fluctuating raw material costs. For more information on geosynthetic clay liners (GCLs), please contact IEC.