ASTM D5886-95(2011)
(Guide)Standard Guide for Selection of Test Methods to Determine Rate of Fluid Permeation Through Geomembranes for Specific Applications
Standard Guide for Selection of Test Methods to Determine Rate of Fluid Permeation Through Geomembranes for Specific Applications
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
The principal characteristic of geomembranes is their intrinsically low permeability to a broad range of gases, vapors, and liquids, both as single-component fluids and as complex mixtures of many constituents. As low permeable materials, geomembranes are being used in a wide range of engineering applications in geotechnical, environmental, and transportation areas as barriers to control the migration of mobile fluids and their constituents. The range of potential permeants is broad and the service conditions can differ greatly. This guide shows users test methods available for determining the permeability of geomembranes to various permeants.
The transmission of various species through a geomembrane is subject to many factors that must be assessed in order to be able to predict its effectiveness for a specific service. Permeability measurements are affected by test conditions, and measurements made by one method cannot be translated from one application to another. A wide variety of permeability tests have been devised to measure the permeability of polymeric materials; however, only a limited number of these procedures have been applied to geomembranes. Test conditions and procedures should be selected to reflect actual service requirements as closely as possible. It should be noted that field conditions may be difficult to model or maintain in the laboratory. This may impact apparent performance of geomembrane samples.
This guide discusses the mechanism of permeation of mobile chemical species through geomembranes and the permeability tests that are relevant to various types of applications and permeating species. Specific tests for the permeability of geomembranes to both single-component fluids and multicomponent fluids that contain a variety of permeants are described and discussed.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide covers selecting one or more appropriate test methods to assess the permeability of all candidate geomembranes for a proposed specific application to various permeants. The widely different uses of geomembranes as barriers to the transport and migration of different gases, vapors, and liquids under different service conditions require determinations of permeability by test methods that relate to and simulate the service. Geomembranes are nonporous homogeneous materials that are permeable in varying degrees to gases, vapors, and liquids on a molecular scale in a three-step process (1) by dissolution in or absorption by the geomembrane on the upstream side, (2) diffusion through the geomembrane, and (3) desorption on the downstream side of the barrier.
1.2 The rate of transmission of a given chemical species, whether as a single permeant or in mixtures, is driven by its chemical potential or in practical terms by its concentration gradient across the geomembrane. Various methods to assess the permeability of geomembranes to single component permeants, such as individual gases, vapors, and liquids are referenced and briefly described.
1.3 Various test methods for the measurement of permeation and transmission through geomembranes of individual species in complex mixtures such as waste liquids are discussed.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
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Designation:D5886 −95 (Reapproved 2011)
Standard Guide for
Selection of Test Methods to Determine Rate of Fluid
Permeation Through Geomembranes for Specific
Applications
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5886; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents
1.1 Thisguidecoversselectingoneormoreappropriatetest 2.1 ASTM Standards:
methods to assess the permeability of all candidate geomem- D471Test Method for Rubber Property—Effect of Liquids
branes for a proposed specific application to various per- D814Test Method for Rubber Property—Vapor Transmis-
meants.Thewidelydifferentusesofgeomembranesasbarriers sion of Volatile Liquids
to the transport and migration of different gases, vapors, and D815Test Method for Testing Coated Fabrics Hydrogen
liquids under different service conditions require determina- Permeance (Withdrawn 1987)
tionsofpermeabilitybytestmethodsthatrelatetoandsimulate D1434TestMethodforDeterminingGasPermeabilityChar-
the service. Geomembranes are nonporous homogeneous ma- acteristics of Plastic Film and Sheeting
terials that are permeable in varying degrees to gases, vapors, D4439Terminology for Geosynthetics
and liquids on a molecular scale in a three-step process (1)by D4491Test Methods for Water Permeability of Geotextiles
dissolution in or absorption by the geomembrane on the by Permittivity
upstream side, (2) diffusion through the geomembrane, and (3) E96/E96MTest Methods for Water Vapor Transmission of
desorption on the downstream side of the barrier. Materials
F372Test Method for Water Vapor Transmission Rate of
1.2 The rate of transmission of a given chemical species,
Flexible Barrier Materials Using an Infrared Detection
whether as a single permeant or in mixtures, is driven by its
Technique (Withdrawn 2009)
chemical potential or in practical terms by its concentration
F739Test Method for Permeation of Liquids and Gases
gradient across the geomembrane. Various methods to assess
throughProtectiveClothingMaterialsunderConditionsof
the permeability of geomembranes to single component
Continuous Contact
permeants, such as individual gases, vapors, and liquids are
referenced and briefly described.
3. Terminology
1.3 Varioustestmethodsforthemeasurementofpermeation
3.1 Definitions:
and transmission through geomembranes of individual species
3.1.1 downstream, n—the space adjacent to the geomem-
in complex mixtures such as waste liquids are discussed.
brane through which the permeant is flowing.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.1.2 geomembrane,n—anessentiallyimpermeablegeosyn-
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
thetic composed of one or more synthetic sheets. (See Termi-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
nology D4439.)
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
This guide is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D35 on Geosynthet- contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
icsand is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D35.10 on Geomembranes. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
CurrenteditionapprovedJune1,2011.PublishedJuly2011.Originallyapproved the ASTM website.
in 1995. Last previous edition approved in 2006 as D5886–95 (2006). DOI: The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
10.1520/D5886-95R11. www.astm.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D5886−95 (2011)
3.1.2.1 Discussion—In geotechnical engineering, essen- species through geomembranes without holes proceeds by
tially impermeable means that no measurable liquid flows absorption of the species in the geomembrane and diffusion
through a geosynthetic when tested in accordance with Test through the geomembrane on a molecular basis. The driving
Methods D4491. force is chemical potential across the geomembrane. A liquid
permeates porous materials in a condensed state that can carry
3.1.3 geosynthetic, n—a planar product manufactured from
the dissolved constituents, and the driving force for such
polymeric material used with soil, rock, earth, or other geo-
permeationishydraulicpressure.Duetotheselectivenatureof
technical engineering-related material as an integral part of a
geomembranes,thepermeationofthedissolvedconstituentsin
man-made project, structure, or system. (See Terminology
liquids can vary greatly, that is, components of a mixture can
D4439.)
permeate at different rates due to differences in solubility and
3.1.4 permeability, n—the rate of flow under a differential
diffusibility in a given geomembrane. With respect to the
pressure, temperature, or concentration of a gas, liquid, or
inorganic aqueous salt solution, the geomembranes are
vapor through a material. (Modified from Test Methods
semipermeable, that is, the water can be transmitted through
D4491.)
the geomembranes, but the ions are not transmitted. Thus, the
3.1.5 permeant, n—a chemical species, gas, liquid, or vapor
water that is transmitted through a hole-free geomembrane
that can pass through a substance.
does not carry dissolved inorganics. The direction of perme-
ation of a component in the mixture is determined thermody-
4. Summary of Guide
namically by its chemical potential difference or concentration
4.1 The wide range of uses of geomembranes as barriers in
gradient across the geomembrane. Thus the water in the
many different environments to many different permeating
wastewaterontheupstreamsideisatalowerpotentialthanthe
species requires different test procedures to assess the effec-
less contaminated water on the downstream side and can
tiveness of a given membrane for a given application. The
permeate the geomembrane into the wastewater by osmosis.
permeating species range from a single component to highly
4.1.2 Although inorganic salts do not permeate
complex mixtures such as those found in waste liquids and
geomembranes, some organic species do. The rate of perme-
leachates. In specialized applications, service it may be impor-
ation through a geomembrane depends on the solubility of the
tant to measure transmission or migration of a species that
organicinthegeomembraneandthediffusibilityoftheorganic
would take place under specific conditions and environments
in the geomembrane as driven by the chemical potential
including temperature, vapor pressure, and concentration gra-
gradient. Principle factors that can affect the diffusion of an
dients. Tests that would be applicable to the measurement of
organic within a geomembrane include:
the permeability of a material to different permeants present in
4.1.2.1 The solubility of the permeant in the geomembrane,
various applications are summarized in Table 1.
4.1.2.2 The microstructure of the polymer, for example,
4.1.1 In the use of geomembranes in service as barriers to
percent crystallinity,
the transmission of fluids, it is essential to recognize the
difference between geomembranes that are nonporous homo- 4.1.2.3 Whether the condition at which diffusion is taking
geneous materials and other liner materials that are porous, place is above or below the glass transition temperature of the
such as soils and concretes. The transmission of permeating polymer,
TABLE 1 Applicable Test Method for Measuring Permeability of Geomembranes to Various Permeants
Applicable Test Method and Permeant
Fluid Being Contained Example of Permeant Example of Field Application
Detector and Quantifier
Single-Component Fluids:
Gas H ,O Barriers, pipe, and hose liners D815
2 2
N ,CH D1434-V
2 4
CO D1434-P
Water vapor H O Moisture vapor barriers, water reservoir E96/E96M, D653
covers
Liquid water H O Liners for reservoirs, dams, and canals Soil-type permeameter with hydraulic
pressure
Organic vapor Organic species Secondary containment for organic sol- D814, E96/E96M, F372
vent and gasoline
Organic liquid Organic solvents species Containers, tank liners secondary con- D814, E96/E96M
tainment
Multicomponents Fluids:
Gases CO /CH Barriers, separation of gases F372, GC, GCMS
2 4
Aqueous solutions of inorganic, for Ions, salts Pond liners Pouch, osmotic cell, ion analysis
example, brines, incinerator ash
leachates, leach pad leachate
Mixtures of organics, spills, hydrocar- Organic species Liners for tanks and secondary contain- E96/E96M with headspace, GC
bon fuels ment
Aqueous solutions of organics Organic species, H O Liners for ponds and waste disposal Pouch, Multi-compartment cell with
analysis by GC on GCMS
Complex aqueous solutions of organics H O, organic species, dissolved salts Liners for waste disposal Pouch, Multi-compartment cell, osmotic
and inorganic species cell, analysis by head-space GC
D5886−95 (2011)
4.1.2.4 The other constituents in the geomembrane conditions may be difficult to model or maintain in the
compound, laboratory.Thismayimpactapparentperformanceofgeomem-
4.1.2.5 Variation in manufacturing processes, brane samples.
4.1.2.6 The flexibility of the polymer chains,
5.3 This guide discusses the mechanism of permeation of
4.1.2.7 The size and shape of the diffusing molecules,
mobile chemical species through geomembranes and the per-
4.1.2.8 The temperature at which diffusion is taking place,
meabilityteststhatarerelevanttovarioustypesofapplications
and
and permeating species. Specific tests for the permeability of
4.1.2.9 The geomembrane.
geomembranes to both single-component fluids and multicom-
4.1.3 The movement through a hole-free geomembrane of
ponent fluids that contain a variety of permeants are described
mobile species that would be encountered in service would be
and discussed.
affected by many factors, such as:
4.1.3.1 The composition of the geomembrane with respect
6. Basis of Classification
to the polymer and to the compound,
6.1 Even though geomembranes are nonporous and cannot
4.1.3.2 The thickness of the geomembrane,
be permeated by liquids as such, gases and vapors of liquids
4.1.3.3 The service temperature,
canpermeateageomembraneonamolecularlevel.Thus,even
4.1.3.4 The temperature gradient across the geomembrane
if a geomembrane is free of macroscopic holes, some compo-
in service,
nentsofthecontainedfluidcanpermeateandmightescapethe
4.1.3.5 The chemical potential across the geomembrane,
containment unit.
that includes pressure and concentration gradient,
6.2 The basic mechanism of permeation through geomem-
4.1.3.6 The composition of the fluid and the mobile
constituents, branes is essentially the same for all permeating species. The
mechanism differs from that through porous media, such as
4.1.3.7 The solubility of various components of an organic
liquid in the particular geomembrane that increase concentra- soils and concrete, which contain voids that are connected in
such a way that a fluid introduced on one side will flow from
tion of individual components on the upstream side of the
geomembrane and can cause swelling of the geomembrane void to void and emerge on the other side; thus, a liquid can
flow through the voids and carry dissolved species.
resulting in increased permeability,
4.1.3.8 The ion concentration of the liquid, and
6.3 Overall rate of flow through saturated porous media
4.1.3.9 Abilityofthespeciestomoveawayfromthesurface
follows Darcy’s equation that states that the flow rate is
on the downstream side.
proportional to the hydraulic gradient, as is shown in the
4.1.4 Because of the great number of variables, it is impor-
following equation:
tant to perform permeability tests of a geomembrane under
Q 5 kiA (1)
conditions that simulate as closely as possible the actual
environmentalconditionsinwhichthegeomembranewillbein where:
service.
Q = rate of flow,
k = constant (Darcy’s coefficient of permeability),
5. Significance and Uses
A = total inside cross-sectional area of the sample
container, and
5.1 The principal characteristic of geomembranes is their
i = hydraulic gradient.
intrinsicallylowpermeabilitytoabroadrangeofgases,vapors,
and liquids, both as single-component fluids and as complex 6.4 With most liquids in saturated media, the flow follows
mixtures of many constituents. As low permeable materials,
Darcy’s equation; however, the flow can deviate due to
geomembranes are being used in a wide range of engineering interactions between the liquid and the surface of the soil
applicationsingeotechnical,environmental,andtransportation particles.Theseinteractionsbecomeimportantintheescapeof
areas as barriers to control the migration of mobile fluids and dissolved species through a low-permeability porous liner
their constituents. The range of potential permeants is broad system in a waste facility. Dissolved chemical species, either
and the service conditions can differ greatly. This guide shows organic or inorganic, not only can permeate such a medium
users test methods available for determining the permeability advectively (that is, the liquid acts as the carrier of the
of geomembranes to various permeants. chemical species), but also by diffusion in accordance with
Fick’s two laws of diffusion.
5.2 The transmission of various species through a geomem-
brane is subject to many factors that must be assessed in order 6.5 Even though polymeric geomembranes are manufac-
to be able to predict its effectiveness for a specific service. tured as solid homogeneous nonporous materials, they contain
Permeabilitymeasurementsareaffectedbytestconditions,and interstitial spaces between the polymer molecules through
measurements made by one method cannot be translated from which small molecules can diffuse. Thus, all polymeric
oneapplicationtoanother.Awidevarietyofpermeabilitytests geomembranesarepermeabletoadegree.Apermeantmigrates
have been devised to measure the permeability of polymeric throughthegeomembraneonamolecularbasisbyanactivated
materials; however, only a limited number of these procedures diffusion process and not as a liquid. This transport process of
have been applied to geomembranes. Test conditions and chemical species involves three steps:
procedures should be selected to reflect actual service require- 6.5.1 The solution or absorption of the permeant at the
ments as closely as possible. It should be noted that field upstream surface of the geomembrane,
D588
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