Grout compositions for construction of subterranean barriers
OwnerErnest E. Carter JR.inventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method is disclosed for constructing, verifying, and maintaining underground vaults that isolate and contain radioactive burial sites. The method employs a buoyant lift technique to isolate a block of soil containing the contaminates from the surrounding soil. An impermeable synthetic liner is embedded in the vault to enhance the integrity of the system. The integrity of the vault is monitored by a system of sensors placed both inside and outside of the sealed vault. The method eliminates the need to excavate or drill in the contaminated areas.
Claims25
A method of constructing a containment vault around a waste site disposed in soil, comprising the steps of;
- (a) cutting a continuous elongate trench through the soil under and around the waste site, so as to form a subsurface block of soil containing the waste site, which is severed from the earth surrounding the waste site;
- (b) filling the continuous elongate trench with a grout having a density greater than the average density of the waste site soil, so as to cause the subsurface block of soil containing the waste site to become buoyant and rise above the surface of the surrounding earth;
- (c) allowing the grout to harden so that an open impermeable containment barrier is formed around the waste site;
- and
- (d) sealing the open containment barrier with a cap structure so that an air-tight vault is formed around the waste site.
A method of constructing a containment barrier for a waste site disposed in soil, comprising the steps of:
- (a) forming a shallow trench around the perimeter of the waste site;
- (b) forming a plurality of substantially lateral cuts under the waste site that intersect with the shallow trench, so as to form a subsurface block of soil containing the waste site, which is severed from the earth surrounding the waste site;
- (c) filling the trench and plurality of lateral cuts with a grout having a density greater than the average density of the waste site soil so as to cause the subsurface block of soil containing the waste site to become buoyant and rise above the surface of the surrounding earth;
- and
- (d) allowing the grout to harden so that an open impermeable containment barrier is formed around the waste site.
A method of constructing a containment barrier for a waste site disposed in soil, comprising the steps of:
- (a) cutting a continuous elongate trench through the soil under and around the waste site;
- (b) filling the continuous elongate trench with a fast setting grout as the trench is being cut so that subsidence is prevented, and
- wherein said fast setting grout has a composition comprising a molten material having the properties of wax and a surfactant, and once the grout hardens an impermeable containment barrier is created.
A grout for use in forming a containment barrier for toxic waste material, comprising:
- water, a type K cement, a high density additive, a viscosity reducing admixture, and a set retarding admixture.
A grout for use in forming a containment barrier for toxic waste material, comprising:
- 90 to 110 parts by weight of water, 150 parts by weight of type K cement, 300 to 400 parts by weight of iron oxide, 20 to 40 parts by weight of fumed silica, 25 to 35 parts by weight of latex emulsion, 30 to 60 parts by weight of a salt-tolerant high range water reducer, and 0.2 to 0.8 parts by weight of organic phosphonic acid.
A grout for use in forming a containment barrier for toxic waste material, comprising:
- 6 to 8 weight percent prehydrated bentonite slurry, 1 weight percent sodium lignosufonate, 50 parts by weight of type K cement, 300 to 400 parts by weight of iron oxide, 20 to 40 parts by weight of fumed silica, 25 to 35 parts by weight of latex emulsion, and 30 to 60 parts by weight of a salt-tolerant high range water reducer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.