Covered Anaerobic Lagoons with Hdpe Geomembrane: Experiences in Developing Asian Countries

Abstract

Polyethylene geomembrane, particularly HDPE is gaining widespread popularity as a sealing system in cover and bottom liner system of sludge and wastewater facilities, anaerobic/aerobic treatment ponds and evaporation ponds in animal waste facilities, etc. An HDPE floating cover system provides a more cost-effective alternative to steel or concrete storage containers. With its water-tightness and outstanding performance in various aspects, HDPE geomembrane is a suitable material that meeting the Kyoto-driven greenhouse gas emission restrictions as well as for Carbon Trading. The paper summarizes the experiences in developing Asian countries that installed floating covers on waste lagoons to achieve benefits of using Polyethylene geomembranes (HDPE or LLDPE) for biogas collection and recovery, energy production, fume and odor control, protection against evaporation and contamination of groundwater. The paper discusses the manufacturing quality assurance and quality control program, floating cover design and installation concerns. Successful case histories on the application of the polyethylene geomembranes as the floating membrane cover for anaerobic covered lagoons are also presented.