Wind-resistant environmental synthetic cover

Abstract

A system for covering (i.e., closing) various types of sites where waste is deposited comprises a composite of one or more geotextiles that are tufted with synthetic yarns and an impermeable geomembrane, which is comprised of a polymeric material. The cover can include wind-resistant textured synthetic blade-like elements, such as vertical filaments, secured over a low-permeable polymer liner backing. Advantageously, the system does not rely on piled-on weight to resist wind forces and the cover can be deployed over a large area with little or no ballasting or anchoring. Optionally, the cover includes vertical filaments attached to the liner to break the wind aero-dynamics on the exposed cover.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A wind-resistant synthetic cover system for landfills, stockpiles, soil erosion protection, dry ponds, phosphogypsum stacks, environmentally impacted lands, leach pads, ash fills, and similar environmental sites or material stockpiles that require a water-resistant closure system or a plastic rain barrier, wherein the wind-resistant synthetic cover system comprises:
 a composite of a geomembrane covered with a synthetic turf-like cover with upstanding synthetic slender elongate elements selected to have reacting forces when exposed to wind, so that uplift of the wind-resistant synthetic cover system is prevented when wind loads are applied.   
     
     
         2 . A wind-resistant synthetic cover system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the synthetic slender elongate elements comprise polyethylene or polypropylene fibers. 
     
     
         3 . A wind-resistant synthetic cover system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the synthetic slender elongate elements comprise monofilament fibers or slit film. 
     
     
         4 . A wind-resistant synthetic cover system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the synthetic slender elongate elements are formed to have a blade length ranging between 0.5 inches and 4 inches. 
     
     
         5 . A wind-resistant synthetic cover system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the synthetic slender elongate elements are tufted to have a density of between about 15 ounces/square yard and about 120 ounces/square yard. 
     
     
         6 . A wind-resistant synthetic cover system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the synthetic slender elongate elements comprise blade-like elements having the appearance of blades of grass. 
     
     
         7 . A wind-resistant synthetic cover system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the cover is adapted to resist wind uplift by the weight of the material itself without the need for subterranean anchoring and/or ballast system or the conventional sand in-fill. 
     
     
         8 . A wind-resistant synthetic cover system of  claim 1  wherein the geomembrane is selected from the group consisting of high density polyethylene, linear low density polyethylene or polyvinyl chloride. 
     
     
         9 . A wind-resistant synthetic cover system of  claim 1  wherein the geomembrane is sprayed or applied directly on the geotextile(s) backing of the cover. 
     
     
         10 . A wind-resistant synthetic cover system of  claim 1  wherein the synthetic turf-like cover comprises UV-resistant material. 
     
     
         11 . The wind-resistant synthetic cover system of  claim 1  wherein the flexible synthetic upstanding slender elongate elements comprise vertical filaments attached to a geotextile(s) backing to create wind aero-dynamic conditions that prevent uplift of the exposed cover and impermeable geomembrane below. 
     
     
         12 . An exposed cover system for landfills, stockpiles, dry ponds and/or general raincoat covers for ore materials, wherein the cover system comprises:
 a composite of a geomembrane covered with synthetic cover selected of sufficient weight that when exposed to wind, unwanted uplift of the cover system is prevented, even when wind loads are applied, without the use of subterranean anchoring or ballasting system and wherein the weight of the material itself provides the primary resistance to uplifting due to wind.   
     
     
         13 . The exposed cover system of  claim 12  further comprising flexible synthetic upstanding slender elongate elements comprise vertical filaments attached to a geotextile(s) backing to create wind aero-dynamic conditions that prevent uplift of the exposed cover and impermeable geomembrane below. 
     
     
         14 . The exposed cover system of  claim 12  further comprising flexible synthetic upstanding slender elongate elements creating a synthetic turf-like upper portion selected to have reacting forces when exposed to wind, so that uplift of the wind-resistant synthetic cover system is prevented when wind loads are applied. 
     
     
         15 . The exposed cover system of  claim 13  wherein the synthetic slender elongate elements comprise monofilament fibers or slit film. 
     
     
         16 . The exposed cover system of  claim 13  wherein the synthetic slender elongate elements are formed to have a blade length ranging between 0.5 inches and 4 inches. 
     
     
         17 . The exposed cover system of  claim 13  wherein the synthetic slender elongate elements comprise blade-like elements having the appearance of blades of grass.