Civil Engineering

Landfills

Protection and leachate collection at the base of a landfill

The waste landfill is built on subsoil with favourable geological and hydrological properties, fulfilling water tightness criteria required by local authorities. On top of this mineral/geological safety barrier, a geomembrane is laid. It is crucial that these safety barriers not be damaged during the operation phase (the phase of landfill construction) because they must remain undamaged to prevent contamination in the long term.

At the bottom of the cell, the geomembrane is covered with a protection layer and a drainage layer.
Traditionally, a thick protecting non-woven geotextile is placed over the geomembrane, on top of which a gravel layer of at least 50 cm in height is installed.

OUR SOLUTION
Leachate control system

Leachate control system

Alternatively, for a more efficient solution in terms of required materials and available waste volume, EnkaDrain can be applied as the geosynthetic drainage composite at the base of a landfill. EnkaDrain is then placed directly on top of the geomembrane where it fulfils both a protecting and draining role. With its capacities, EnkaDrain can replace approximately 20 cm of gravel, providing a huge gain in storage volume for fill.

Landfill leachate treatment

An additional advantage is that the geomembrane on the slopes of landfill cells can be protected and drained by EnkaDrain. The first feedback on the efficiency of EnkaDrain in this application dates back to 2002.

The leachate collection system needs to be designed for leachate levels to stay within the gravel layer at all times with a preferable maximum gravel height of 30 cm.

Landfill leachate treatment
Leachate leakage detection

Leachate leakage detection

EnkaDrain can also be applied as a leakage detection layer underneath the landfill base, installed between two liners, one being the previously mentioned geomembrane.

Piggy backing

Existing waste containment structures can be extended. The landfill is enlarged by creating a new cell on top of the existing one.

However, this poses the risk of cracking and loss of water tightness at the base of the new upper structure, caused by settlement of the underlying landfill. Applying our high-strength woven PET geotextile will prevent this potential failure.

Piggy backing
FUNCTIONS
  • Drainage
  • Protection
  • Separation
  • Filtration
  • Reinforcement
Related Products

EnkaDrain

Use horizontal or vertical, combines drainage, protection and filtration in one product.

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Leachate leakage detaction

EnkaDrain can also be applied as a leakage detection layer underneath the landfill base, installed between two liners, one being the previously mentioned geomembrane.

Leachate leakage detaction
Geogrids and geotextiles to improve soil stability

Geogrids and geotextiles to improve soil stability

Existing waste containment structures can be extended. The landfill is enlarged by creating a new cell on top of the existing one.

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