The use of non-woven geotextiles as swine manure reservoir liners

Abstract Non-woven geotextiles, with an equivalent pore size of 12, 40 and 75 μm, were exposed to 5% TS (Total Solids Content) swine slurry heads of 0·9, 1·8 and 2·7 m, for 1660 h. Both the 12- and 40-μm fabrics demonstrated infiltration rates significantly lower than that of the 75-μm geotextile. Compared to the 0·9- and 1·8-m heads, the 2·7-m head produced seepages of significantly lower COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand) levels as well as of lower infiltration rates for both the 12- and 40-μm fabrics. Analysis of the effects of the geotextile, on the permeability of the manure mat accumulated at its surface, indicated that the 40 μm fabric can produce an organic seal just as low in hydraulic conductivity as that produced by the 12-μm fabric. The higher permeability of the 40-μm fabric is suspected to produce greater hydraulic pressure differentials across the manure mat and therefore just as impermeable a seal as that of the 12-μm geotextile, despite its greater pore size.