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Bio-Polymer Drains and Their Applications
Trenching under Bio-Polymer Slurry
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Bio-Polymer (BP) Slurry Trenches are trenches or French drains constructed for draining, diverting or collecting groundwater or leachate. Bio-Polymer drains are typically used when in-the-dry installation methods are not feasible or unnecessarily expensive. The Bio-Polymer method is a modified slurry trench technique that temporarily supports deep and narrow trench walls below the groundwater table using a degradable polymer instead of bentonite slurry. Usually, a hydraulic excavator digs the drainage trench while the polymer slurry supports the trench walls. After the trench is backfilled, the slurry is degraded or reversed back to water and a minute amount of non-toxic residue leaving a fully functional drainage trench.
Groundwater and Leachate Collection, Reactive Barriers, Air Sparging, and Toe Drains
Since their introduction into the USA in the 1980’s, Bio-Polymer trenches have been used on a variety of projects where steel sheet piling, trench boxes, mass excavation and/or dewatering have traditionally been used. The Bio-Polymer drainage trench method is much faster, safer, and less expensive than traditional methods and has been used in applications up to 80 ft deep. Typical applications include:
Landfill leachate collection
Reactive barriers
Toe drains for earthen dams
Air sparging
Groundwater collection for pump and treat systems.
BP Drainage Trench
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Often Bio-Polymer trenches are combined with slurry walls for groundwater collection and containment using the same basic construction technique to create the barrier and the drain.
The Bio-Polymer method creates a narrow, open slot in the earth that permits the installation of most construction materials. Unlike bentonite slurry trenches, the polymer used in the slurry does not plug the formation, so groundwater can be collected in the drainage trench after the polymer is degraded. Because the polymer can degrade naturally, speed and expertise are required on every project, including groundwater collection and leachate collection. Plastic pipes and geo-fabrics float in the Bio-Polymer slurry, so Geo-Solutions has developed proven methods to install these and other engineered materials.
Geo-Solutions’ Experience with Bio-Polymer Drainage Trench Construction
The principals of Geo-Solutions introduced the Bio-Polymer method on the first reported project in California in 1986. That first project was completed for 40% less than the conventional sheeting and shoring bid, which was expected to require six months, but took only three weeks using Bio-Polymer slurry. Since that time the Bio-Polymer method has gained in popularity and sophistication. Today, over 100 Bio-Polymer trenches have been constructed around the world, most of which have been supervised by our staff. Geo-Solutions continues to lead the industry in the application of the Bio-Polymer drainage trench method and has developed equipment and methodologies that provide the highest quality and safety on every project.
Geo-Solutions Specialty Pump Equipment
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Bio-Polymer Drainage Trench Project Examples
Recent Geo-Solutions projects include:
Technical assistance for a 15,000 sq. ft. dam rehabilitation in Utah
Technical assistance for a 1500 sq. ft leachate collection trench at a . Superfund site in Montana
Technical assistance for a 20,000 sq. ft. permeable reactive barrier on an industrial site in Texas
Technical assistance for a 10,000 sq. ft. landfill venting in Maryland
Learn More about Bio-Polymer Drainage Trenches for Groundwater Collection & More
Read and download a sample spec for Geo-Solutions Bio-Polymer slurry trench spec for groundwater collection.
Geo-Solutions has authored a number of papers on Bio-Polymer drainage trench construction. View our library to read and download several papers and abstracts.
Learn more and view pictures of our Bio-Polymer slurry equipment.
Call Us Today
For Bio-Polymer drainage trench help with groundwater collection, air sparging, landfill leachate collection and more, call us at 724-335-7273.
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