NanoCarbon Leak Detection for Geosynthetics (Special Feature)
Graphene has been hailed as a pivot for a future materials revolution in a wider range of industries – though scaling production of a material first produced with adhesive tape and pencil graphite has been a major barrier. In 2016, a small, research-oriented company based in Australia, Imagine Intelligent Materials (IIM), announced the commercial application of graphene coating on geotextiles. It is working with Geofabrics Australasia – Australia’s largest geotextile company – to develop a ‘game-changing’ graphene-coated geotextile with advanced leak-detection capabilities.
IIM also notes that the improved structural properties of graphene would add considerable strength, with little additional weight, which will help future geosynthetic products meet more robust strength requirements in regulations.
The geosynthetics segment is thus likely to devote more money to evolving graphene technology, though the principal hurdle remains achieving volume production at a reasonable price.
Imagine IM announced last week that it has raised A$2 million in new capital. Imagine IM is focused on developing conductive coatings and sensing technologies for industrial textiles and geotextiles.
http://imgne.com/2017/02/imagine-intelligent-materials-raises-2m-private-placement/
The first installation of imgne X3 Graphene-treated Geofabrics bidim® is now planned to take place in April 2017 at a Coal Seam Gas site in Queensland. Its function is to enable the identification of holes that cause leaks in geosynthetic liners for dams. Imagine IM’s innovative approach to leak detection leads to improved ability to easily identify leaks and utilizes existing testing procedures and techniques.
Two other nanomaterials—nanoparticulate carbon black and carbon nanotubes—are being developed for geosynthetic applications.
This proposition relies on their electrical conductivity to enable enhanced geosynthetics that could detect leakages in landfills and coal ash containment structures—a significant environmental issue. Current flowing through—for example, a polypropylene nanotube enhanced sheet—would alter areas of a geosynthetic subject to additional mechanical stress. This would give an early warning of those areas that are prone to breaking and leakage in liquid containment structures. This in situ real time monitoring would allow remedial action to be
taken more quickly and effectively. As graphene is also highly conductive it too could carry out this function once supply issues are resolved.
Current processes for producing geosynthetic rely on needlepunch manufacturing processes. Though familiar, these have the drawback that they place stress on the fibers as they are manufactured, which diminishes tensile strength (tenacity) during use. New technologies that enable better tenacity via a higher draw ratio, would decrease elongation are under investigation. – See more at:
http://www.nonwovens-industry.com/issues/2017-02-02/view_features/steady-growth-prospects-for-expanding-specialty-geosynthetics-segment/#sthash.kPQJP1Jo.dpuf
Large Scale Graphene Extrusion for Geomembrane Production Led By Italian Extrusion Company
http://www.luigibandera.com/0116-large-scale-plastics-graphene-extrusion/
GNB™ – Geosynthetic News Bulletin™
GNS™ – Geosynthetic News Special™
GNF™ – Geosynthetic News Feature™
are tradenames of the Geosynthetic News Agency and Geosynthetic News Alerts (GNA)