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GEOSYNTHETICS
AFRICA

GEOTUBE® Dewatering Systems

GEOTUBE® geotextile dewatering technology by Solmax, supplied and installed across Africa by Geosynthetics Africa. Large-format containers engineered for high-volume dewatering of mine tailings, dredged sediment, municipal sludge and industrial process waste - achieving up to 90% volume reduction and over 99% solids capture. Custom-fabricated to circumference and length for each application, with high-strength woven fabric that retains fines while releasing clean effluent for discharge or reuse. Full project support: feed characterisation, polymer conditioning trials, tube sizing, containment cell layout and on-site commissioning. Pan-African logistics from South African stock

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Technical Specification of GEOTUBE® Dewatering Systems

GEOTUBE® dewatering technology, developed by TenCate Geosynthetics and now produced under Solmax, has become the method of choice for organisations managing large and small volumes of sludge, tailings, and industrial waste streams globally. The system operates on a principle of simplicity - slurry is pumped hydraulically into a specially engineered woven geotextile container, environmentally safe polymers cause solids to bind together and water to separate, and clear effluent drains passively through the fabric pores. Over 99% of solids are captured, and volume reduction of up to 90% is achievable through repeated fill and dewatering cycles. No belts, gears, or mechanical components are required.

GEOTUBE® containers are available in a wide range of sizes and can be custom fabricated to fit available space and project requirements. Units can be mounted in mobile roll-off containers for transport across site, deployed in underwater steel frames for harbour and marine applications, or stacked above ground to maximise containment capacity within a defined footprint. The largest units in the range reach circumferences of up to 36.6 m and individual lengths exceeding 57 m, making GEOTUBE® the only dewatering container system capable of handling the volumes generated by major dredging programmes, large industrial tailings facilities, and high-volume wastewater treatment operations.

The GEOTUBE® fabric is a specially engineered woven polypropylene geotextile available in two primary grades. The GT500 is the standard dewatering grade, offering 78.8 kN/m tensile strength in the machine direction and 109.4 kN/m in the cross-machine direction, with an apparent opening size of 0.43 mm and a water flow rate of 813 l/m2/min. The GT1000M is the heavy-duty grade, with 175.0 kN/m tensile strength biaxially, a seam strength of 88 kN/m, and 85% UV strength retention after 500 hours of exposure. Both grades use patented circumferential seaming technology that distributes hoop stress along the seam length, maintaining structural integrity under the high internal pressures generated during hydraulic filling of large-diameter units.

Geosynthetics Africa is an authorised supplier of GEOTUBE® products from Solmax for South Africa and the broader African region. We supply the full range including standard dewatering containers, the GT500 1m x 1m dewatering bag for smaller volume applications, mobile dewatering systems for roll-off container deployment, and marine and underwater containers for nearshore and harbour applications. Full technical support including system sizing, polymer programme recommendations, Jar Testing, and on-site installation guidance is available for all GEOTUBE® projects.

Typical Values for DEWATERING SYSTEMS

Volume Reduction
Up to 90%
Solids Capture
Over 99%
Max Circumference
Up to 36.6 m per unit
Max Unit Length
Up to 57 m per unit
GT500 Tensile MD/CMD
78.8 / 109.4 kN/m
GT1000M Tensile
175.0 kN/m biaxial
UV Resistance GT500
80% strength after 500 hrs
UV Resistance GT1000M
85% strength after 500 hrs

Properties & Dimensions

PropertyTest MethodGT500GT1000M
Net bentonite content-Custom Woven PPCustom Woven PP
Tensile Strength MDASTM D459578.8 kN/m175.0 kN/m
Tensile Strength CMDASTM D4595109.4 kN/m175.0 kN/m
Tensile Elongation MD/CMDASTM D459520% max / 20% max20% max / 20% max
Factory Seam StrengthASTM D488470.0 kN/m88.0 kN/m
Apparent Opening Size (AOS)ASTM D47510.43 mm (No. 40 Sieve)0.60 mm (No. 30 Sieve)
Water Flow RateASTM D4491813 l/m2/min815 l/m2/min
Mass per Unit AreaASTM D5261585 g/m21,119 g/m2
UV ResistanceASTM D435580% strength retained after 500 hrs85% strength retained after 500 hrs
Download Full Technical Datasheet for GEOTUBE® Dewatering Systems (PDF)

Popular Catalogue Items

GEOTUBE® GT500 Dewatering Container – (with Sleeve & Top Cover)

GEOTUBE® GT500 Dewatering Container – (with Sleeve & Top Cover)

78.8 / 109.4 kN/m MD/CMD tensile, AOS 0.43 mm, up to 36.6 m circumference
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Related Product Groups

Non-Woven GeotextilesWoven GeotextilesHigh-Strength GeotextilesGeotextile TubesPaving FabricsFiltration Geotextiles

Three Questions To Ask Before You Order

1.What is the three-stage GEOTUBE® dewatering process?
Stage 1 is Filling - slurry is pumped hydraulically into the GEOTUBE® container via the patented Eyeport inlet fittings. Environmentally safe polymers are added to the slurry upstream, causing solids to bind together and water to separate. Stage 2 is Dewatering - clear effluent drains passively through the fabric pores. Over 99% of solids are captured inside the container and the clear filtrate is collected for recirculation or discharge. Stage 3 is Consolidation - solids remain in the container and continue to densify. Volume reduction of up to 90% is achievable. When the container is full, the contents can be deposited at a landfill, stored on site, or the land can be reclaimed.
2.What is the difference between the GT500 and GT1000M fabric grades?
The GT500 is the standard dewatering grade with a tensile strength of 78.8 kN/m in the machine direction and 109.4 kN/m in the cross-machine direction, a mass of 585 g/m2, and an apparent opening size of 0.43 mm. UV resistance is 80% strength retained after 500 hours. The GT1000M is the heavy-duty grade at 175.0 kN/m biaxial tensile, 1,119 g/m2 mass, a larger opening size of 0.60 mm, and 85% UV resistance after 500 hours. GT1000M is specified for the largest diameter units, aggressive slurry densities, extended UV exposure, and applications where maximum seam strength is required. GT500 is appropriate for the majority of standard dewatering projects. Our technical team will confirm the correct grade for your application.
3.What happens to the GEOTUBE® container and its contents after dewatering is complete?
Several options are available. The container can be left in place as permanent containment, which is appropriate for mining tailings, contaminated sediments, or any application where encapsulation is the preferred closure strategy. Alternatively the container can be cut open and the dewatered solids removed by mechanical equipment for transport to an approved landfill, land application where the material meets relevant quality criteria, or beneficial reuse in construction. In some cases, dewatered tailings inside GEOTUBE® units are stacked and used structurally to raise embankments or build berms within the tailings storage facility itself.
4.Can GEOTUBE® handle acid mine drainage?
Yes. GEOTUBE® dewatering technology has been applied successfully to acid mine drainage treatment on both active and abandoned mines. When sulphides in waste rock and tailings are exposed to water and air, sulphuric acid forms and dissolves harmful metals and metalloids into the drainage. The treatment process involves collecting and neutralising the acid runoff in sediment ponds, chemically conditioning the slurry, and pumping it into GEOTUBE® containers to capture the precipitated iron oxide solids. The resulting effluent is collected and can be used as dilution water for the polymer solution. Dewatered solids are then disposed of at an approved landfill, eliminating the environmental hazard.
5.Is GEOTUBE® suitable for wastewater treatment works?
Yes. GEOTUBE® is increasingly used at both small and large wastewater treatment works as an alternative to belt presses, centrifuges, and drying beds. At small sewage treatment works where drying bed capacity is regularly exceeded, the GEOTUBE® system can increase effective volume significantly, with a single unit capable of accepting multiple fill cycles over several months before reaching capacity. At larger plants, GEOTUBE® units serve as an alternative or emergency backup to mechanical dewatering equipment. After flocculant treatment, sludge is pumped into the GEOTUBE® unit where sediments are retained and water seeps through the pores, with the process repeated until the unit reaches maximum level.
6.What polymer is used with GEOTUBE® and is it environmentally safe?
GEOTUBE® technology uses environmentally safe polymers that are added to the slurry upstream of the container during filling. The specific polymer type and dosage is determined through a Rapid Dewatering Test or Jar Test conducted with a sample of the actual slurry prior to full-scale installation. This ensures the polymer is matched to the slurry chemistry and particle size distribution for optimal performance. The polymers used are selected for environmental compatibility, and the clear filtrate produced is typically suitable for recirculation back into the process or for compliant discharge to a watercourse.
7.Can GEOTUBE® units be stacked to increase capacity within a limited footprint?
Yes. Stacking GEOTUBE® containers is a proven technique for maximising solids storage capacity within a defined site footprint, particularly on constrained mining and industrial sites where expansion of the dewatering area is not possible. Stacked units are typically covered once dewatering and consolidation are complete, and the reclaimed surface can be vegetated, capped, or prepared for other uses. A coal mine case study from Alabama demonstrated successful dewatering and consolidation of 200,000 cubic yards of coal slurry waste in stacked GEOTUBE® containers, after which the site was prepared for revegetation.
8.What is the GEOTUBE® GT500 1m x 1m dewatering bag used for?
The GT500 1m x 1m dewatering bag is a compact, practical unit for smaller volume dewatering applications where a full-scale tube is not warranted. It is built from woven polypropylene with a tensile strength of 72 kN/m in the machine direction and 95 kN/m in the cross-machine direction, a seam strength of 65 kN/m, an opening size of 250 microns (O90), and a water permeability of 30 l/s/m2. Available in open top or closed top with fill port sleeve configuration. Suited to stormwater sediment management, small process waste streams, sampling applications, and situations where space is constrained and unit mobility is required.

Specification For The Design, Installation Of GEOTUBE® Dewatering Systems

GEOTUBE® Dewatering Containers, Installation Overview - Prepare a level containment area capable of supporting the filled weight of the GEOTUBE® unit. The base should be lined with an impermeable geomembrane to capture and direct effluent to a collection point, with a drainage layer of nonwoven geotextile and aggregate placed beneath the tube to allow filtrate to drain freely. Unroll the GEOTUBE® container in position with all Eyeport inlet and vent fittings orientated upward. Connect pump supply lines and confirm all fittings and discharge routing before filling begins. Conduct a Jar Test prior to the first fill cycle to confirm polymer type, dosage, and slurry compatibility. Fill at a controlled rate to avoid overpressurising the fabric. Allow dewatering to occur passively between fill cycles. Refill progressively until maximum solids volume is reached. For underwater applications, lower the GEOTUBE® unit in its steel frame to the waterbody floor before filling begins.

GEOTUBE® GT500 Dewatering Bag, Installation Overview - Position the GT500 dewatering bag on a stable, drained surface with the fill opening accessible for connection to the slurry feed. For closed-top units, connect the fill port sleeve to the pump or gravity feed line. Support the filled weight of the bag on a frame or pallet as specified. Do not use the positioning belts to lift the filled bag. Bags should not be overfilled beyond the designed fill volume. Allow full drainage before handling. Dispose of filled bags in accordance with the waste classification of the retained solids.

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