Permeation of hydrocarbons through HDPE and f-HDPE geomembranes

The diffusion and sorption characteristics of High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) geomembranes with respect to hydrocarbons were investigated. Tests were performed for: (a) an aqueous solution of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, toluene and xylene; (b) Jet fuel A-1 dissolved in methanol; and (c) neat Jet fuel A-1. Both conventional HDPE and fluorinated, f-HDPE, were examined.; The effect of temperature on diffusion through HDPE geomembranes was examined and the use of Arrhenius modelling was investigated as a means of predicting hydrocarbon permeation at different temperatures. It was found that Arrhenius modelling could be utilised as a general estimate for the permeation coefficients of hydrocarbons at lower temperatures.; The effect of the concentration of Jet fuel A-1 in the source solutions on diffusion and partitioning coefficients was examined.; The effect of the solvents on the diffusion of hydrocarbons out of the geomembrane was examined by immersing HDPE or f-HDPE geomembrane coupons in both methanol and Jet Fuel A-1 and then monitoring the hydrocarbon content in the solvents. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)...