Flexible membrane geosynthetic liners are used to prevent contamination of groundwater from controlled ash disposal sites.  Every ash is unique, depending on the coal being burned, combustion or gasification conditions, and emission control technologies employed at the power generation site.

As new technologies to control air emissions become available, new types of ash are produced, creating an acute need to understand ash and liner compatibility.  WRI helps technology developers evaluate potential effects of clean coal technology materials (sodium and calcium injection systems and urea injection) on the stability of geosynthetic liner materials, including high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC).