Geocomposite Membrane Bentonite Dosing

Continuous Dosing for Uniform Bentonite Distribution

In geocomposite membrane production, bentonite forms the functional mineral barrier between the geotextile layers. Its quantity and distribution across the product width must remain controlled throughout continuous production, particularly in formulations where polymer additives are used together with sodium bentonite. VOLDE designs continuous dosing and distribution systems for geocomposite membrane production, integrating big bag unloading, raw material feeding, Loss-in-Weight dosing and cross-web distribution into a coordinated process. The system continuously controls both material ratio and feed rate in line with production speed.

| Controlled Raw Material Feeding

Bentonite and polymer additives have different handling and dosing requirements and are therefore managed through independent feeding systems.

Bentonite supplied in big bags is introduced through an enclosed big bag unloading station and transferred to the Loss-in-Weight feeder hopper. Polymer additive supplied in bags is loaded into a dedicated feeding unit.

The system architecture can include

• Enclosed big bag unloading
• Bag-fed additive stations
• Intermediate storage and controlled transfer
• Independent feeder replenishment
• Integrated dust extraction
• Continuous material availability monitoring

| Continuous Loss-in-Weight Dosing

The bentonite and polymer streams are dosed independently by Loss-in-Weight feeders according to the active formulation and required production rate.

Rather than preparing discrete batches, the system continuously measures material loss from each weighing hopper and adjusts feeder output to maintain the defined mass flow. This allows the bentonite-to-additive ratio to be controlled throughout the production run and enables dosing capacity to follow changes in line speed.

Each feeder operates independently while remaining coordinated through the central PLC, providing continuous gravimetric control of both raw material streams.

This approach is particularly suited to membrane production, where a stable material feed must be maintained over long production runs rather than only at individual batch points.

| Distribution Across the Membrane Width

Accurate dosing alone is not sufficient. The prepared material stream must also be distributed consistently across the full working width of the membrane before the subsequent joining or needlepunching stage.

After dosing, the materials are transferred by belt conveyor to a traversing distribution conveyor. The moving conveyor travels across the membrane width and deposits the material in a controlled pattern, creating a consistent bentonite layer before the next stage of production.

Feed rate, conveyor movement and production-line speed are considered together so that gravimetric dosing and physical distribution operate as one continuous process.

The result is controlled material application not only in kilograms per hour, but also across the actual surface area of the product.

| Control the Formula Across Every Meter

In continuous membrane production, recipe accuracy must be maintained from the beginning of the roll to the end — and across its entire width.

VOLDE combines gravimetric dosing with controlled distribution to connect raw material preparation directly with the requirements of the production line.

| Integrated Control for Continuous Production

The complete system is managed through PLC automation, coordinating raw material replenishment, Loss-in-Weight feeders, conveyors and the distribution unit with the operating conditions of the membrane line.

Production parameters such as dosing rates, actual material consumption, feeder status and process alarms can be monitored and recorded. Where required, production data can also be transferred to higher-level SCADA, reporting or plant-management systems.

By integrating raw material handling, continuous gravimetric dosing and cross-web distribution, VOLDE provides a complete bentonite feeding solution developed around the production dynamics of geosynthetic membranes.