Abstract: A method of determining a quantity of amorphous SiC2-containing impurities in a montmorillonite clay sample comprising the steps of: (a) analyzing the clay sample to determine the weight percent of SiO2 contained in the clay sample; (b) analyzing the clay sample for non-montmorillonite SiO2-containing crystalline components; (c) calculating the weight percent of SiO2 from step (a) that is derived from the montmorillonite and amorphous SiQ2-containing impurities by lowering the weight percent of SiO2 in step (a) based on the non-montmorillonite SiO2-containing crystalline impurities found in step (b); and (d) determining the amorphous SiO2-containing impurity portion of the SiO2 calculated in step (c) by further lowering the amount of SiO2 from step (c) until the amount of montmorillonite-derived SiO2 is consistent with one or more properties of the clay sample, the amount of further lowering being proportional to an amount of amorphous SiO2-containing impurities contained in the clay sample.

Abstract: A clay purification process, for removing impurities recovered with the clay, particularly a montmorillonite clay, includes the steps of separating the clay from rocks and other large non-clay impurities; dispersing the clay and smaller impurities in water, preferably at a concentration of at least about 4% by weight clay, based on the total weight of clay and water, more preferably about 6-10% by weight clay in water, to provide a clay slurry; passing the clay slurry through a series of hydrocyclones to remove the larger particles (impurities) while retaining clay particles having a size of about 100 microns or less, particularly about 80 microns or less; ion exchanging the clay to remove at least about 95% of the interlayer, multivalent (e.g.

Abstract: An improved method of manufacturing geosynthetic clay liners is provided. The method of manufacture enables the construction of a structurally sound liner without the use of glue or adhesive and further without the use of needle punching or quilting. The method of manufacture also eliminates the need for any subsequent drying step. Water in combination with compression is used to adhere the granular bentonite layer to the inside surfaces of the cover sheet and the primary carrier sheet and further to provide structural ability to the bentonite layer itself.

Abstract: An improved method of manufacturing geosynthetic clay liners is provided. The method of manufacture enables the construction of a structurally sound liner without the use of glue or adhesive and further without the use of needle punching or quilting. The method of manufacture also eliminates the need for any subsequent drying step. Water in combination with compression is used to adhere the granular bentonite layer to the inside surfaces of the cover sheet and the primary carrier sheet and further to provide structural stability to the bentonite layer itself.

Abstract: A clay liner is provided for use in constructing low permeability barriers in the bottom of landfills and man-made bodies of water. The liner is provided in the form of a layer of bentonite preferably disposed between a primary carrier sheet and a cover sheet. At least one outer edge of either the cover sheet or the primary carrier sheet is made from a material that allows substantial bentonite migration through or includes a slit that enables bentonite to migrate through while the remaining areas of the cover sheet or primary carrier sheet are fabricated from a fabric that does not permit substantial bentonite migration. When two liners are disposed adjacent to each other in the bottom of the landfill or pond, the two liners are overlapped so that the more open portion of one liner engages the adjacent liner. Upon activation, the bentonite migrates through the more open fabric to create a seal between the two adjacent liners. The result is a self-sealing geosynthetic clay liner system.

Abstract: A geosynthetic clay liner is disclosed for providing barriers in landfills that substantially preclude the migration of liquids. The geosynthetic clay liner includes a layer of bentonite disposed between a primary carrier sheet and a cover sheet. The primary carrier sheet and the cover sheet are linked via plurality of tufting threads. A bight or loop portion of the tufting thread extends through to the undersurface of the lower or primary carrier sheet and is partially melted to prevent the bight portion from slipping back through the primary carrier sheet. The partially melted bight portions create an under surface with a high coefficient of friction thereby enabling the geosynthetic clay liner to be installed on steep slopes or banks of landfills or ponds.

Abstract: A friction enhancing material is applied to at least one surface of the geosynthetic clay liner. The placement of friction enhancing material on the surface of the liner that engages a slope or embankment of a landfill helps the liner maintain its position during and after installation. The improved frictional contact between the liner and the slope or embankment permits use of bentonite liners on steeper slopes or embankments and therefore enables more efficient construction of landfills. The friction enhancement material may also be applied to the surface to improve contact between the upper surface of the geosynthetic clay liner and the cover soil. The friction enhancement material may be high density polyethylene, EVA, rubbers and other polymeric materials.