Development of an Innovative Liner Leak-Detection Technique

This study introduces an innovative diagnostic technique for the detection of leaks through liners using the changes in the electrical resistivity of the base soil. The system design is based on the well-known principles of the electrical resistivity method. A new leak-detection system is developed by pairing a resistivity-sensing technique with four-probe ground resistance–testing equipment. The guidelines given by AS 1289.4.4.1-1997, Methods of Testing Soils for Engineering Purposes—Soil Chemical Tests—Determination of the Electrical Resistivity of a Soil—Method for Sands and Granular Materials (Superseded), are used for the system design. The details for the fabrication of the system are presented extensively in this article. Some test results are also provided to substantiate the efficacy of the system in determining leakage issues through liners. It is demonstrated that this system can be used to effectively detect and locate liner leaks by simulating the field conditions. This newly developed innovative diagnostic technique can be useful in designing the monitoring systems for waste storage and handling facilities, contamination detection, liner leak detection, development of sensors, and so on.