Geomembrane With Printed Conductive Grid for Leak Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing membrane leak detection methods face challenges with separate conductive layers requiring additional installation, configuration, and potential separation from the membrane due to terrain or wrinkling, leading to inefficiencies and increased time during installation, especially when adjacent sheets are welded.
Innovation Solution
A membrane with printed conductive layers, preferably using metal or carbon-based inks like graphene, applied in geometric patterns on both sides to provide homogenous surface conductivity, allowing for easy installation and precise leak detection without separate conductive layers, and enabling welding without introducing conductive regions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate conductive layer is used for leak detection, then conductivity is provided to the membrane, but additional installation, configuration, and connection steps are required which increase installation time and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive layer is merged with the membrane by printing the conductive pattern directly onto the membrane surface during or after membrane manufacturing. This integration eliminates the need for separate conductive layer installation, configuration, and connection steps, thereby reducing installation time and complexity while maintaining leak detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive pattern is printed onto the membrane in advance during the manufacturing process or immediately after membrane production, before the membrane is installed in the field. This preliminary action ensures the membrane is ready for immediate use without requiring additional on-site preparation steps
2Reliability
If a separate conductive layer is used, then conductivity is achieved, but the conductive layer may separate from the membrane due to terrain or wrinkling, reducing detection reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive pattern is printed directly onto the membrane surface, creating an integrated structure where the conductive material becomes part of the membrane itself. This merging eliminates the interface between separate layers, preventing separation due to terrain variations or membrane wrinkling
Solution Approach 2:
The printed conductive pattern conforms to the flexible membrane surface, allowing the conductive layer to maintain contact with the membrane even when the membrane bends or wrinkles, ensuring continuous electrical contact under varying terrain conditions
3Ease of manufacture
If conductive backing is present on membrane sheets during welding, then sheets can be welded together, but the conductive region interferes with subsequent leak detection around the welded area
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive pattern is designed with local variations: conductive regions are placed in areas where leak detection is needed, while non-conductive regions are positioned in areas where welding occurs. This local differentiation allows welding without conductive interference in the weld zone, while maintaining conductive patterns in detection zones for accurate leak detection
Solution Approach 2:
The membrane surface is segmented into distinct functional zones: conductive patterned areas for leak detection and non-conductive areas for welding. This segmentation allows the welded joints to be free from conductive materials that would interfere with detection, while maintaining conductive coverage in the non-welded areas
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution simplifies the installation process, enhances sensitivity for leak detection, and allows for precise localization of leaks by avoiding interference from welded joints, while providing a flexible and cost-effective, environmentally stable conductive pattern.
Implementation Method 1
DC electrical signals are delivered to the electrically conductive layer, and measured in order to find the positions through which electricity is flowing
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A membrane 10 is a geomembrane 10, which takes the form of a non-conductive sheet 11. A conductive layer 13 is printed on to the sheet 11, in this instance in a geometric pattern of a rectangular grid. The lines of the grid 13 are conductive and connected to each other, with non-conductive gaps 15 disposed between the grid lines. Accordingly, a conductive linear network is formed, which has the requisite conductivity for leak detection.