Chemical compatibility testing of linear low density polyethylene geomembrane - sorption/desorption, diffusion and swelling studies in the presence of organic liquids

摘要

Chemical compatibility testing of linear low density polyethylene geomembrane (LLDPE) has been studied from a measurement of sorption/desorption and diffusion for 14 organic liquids at 25, 50 and 70 °C. Sorption results are obtained by a gravimetric method and diffusion coefficients have been calculated from Fick's equation for the initial linear data points of the time-dependent sorption/desorption curves. Permeability coefficients have been calculated from the diffusion and sorption values. Swelling was studied by measuring the increase in thickness, diameter and thereby calculating the volume dilation of the geomembrane. From the temperature dependence of sorption and diffusion coefficients, the Arrhenius activation parameters have been calculated. Liquid concentration profiles have also been calculated theoretically from a solution of the Fick's equation under appropriate initial and boundary conditions. Results of this study are discussed to find the possible application of the LLDPE for a specific hazardous site involving exposure to the chosen liquids.