Sorption/desorption, diffusion, permeation and swelling of high density polyethylene geomembrane in the presence of hazardous organic liquids

The laboratory findings on sorption and desorption of 14 organic Liquids into high density polyethylene (HDPE) geomembranes are presented at 25, 50 and 70 degrees C. The values of diffusion and permeation coefficients have been calculated using these data. Swelling of the HDPE geomembrane was studied by monitoring its increase in thickness and diameter and thereby calculating the increase in volume. From a temperature dependence of sorption, diffusion and permeation coefficients, the Arrhenius parameters have been calculated. From the sorption data, the concentration profiles of Liquids inside the HDPE by solving Fick's diffusion equation under the appropriate initial and boundary conditions. Results of this research may have relevance in the application of HDPE geomembrane in the hazardous waste environment containing the solvents used in this research. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.