Back to results
US 4,784,522 AGranted
Method and apparatus for effecting high pressure isolation of liquids
OwnerDennis Mrazinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Loading patent…
Loading patent…
OwnerDennis Mrazinventor
Estimating the term…
Various high pressure isolation structures are operative to prevent brine or other unwanted liquid from seeping through incompetent or soluble rocks. In one embodiment, a pair of barrier dams are constructed in spaced relation within an underground passageway, and the interface between each dam and the host rock is sealed. A hydrophobic liquid is introduced under pressure into the passageway between the dams so as to impregnate the microfracture system within the host rock. A monitoring installation may be employed to sample the area on the flood side of the upstream barrier dam. Alternate embodiments of isolation structures in the form of expandable bulkheads may be employed to effect accelerated rock repressurization so as to close the microfractures either individually or in combination with another barrier dam with hydrophobic liquid.
An isolation structure for use in an underground passage defined within a rock formation having a microfracture system through which liquid seepage may occur, said isolation structure comprising a plurality of dam members, expansion joint means operatively interconnecting said dam members in predetermined surface adapted for substantial surface contact with an inner peripheral surface of said underground passage when disposed therein, said expansion joint being operative to effect movement of said dam members when disposed within said underground passage to effect pressurized engagement between said external surfaces of said dam members and the inner peripheral surface of said passage whereby to enable predetermined stress to be achieved in the rock formation.
In an underground passage defined within a rock formation having a microfractrue system through which liquid seepage may occur, a high pressure isolation structure comprising a plurality of dam members, expansion joint means operatively interconnecting said dam members in predetermined relation, said dam members defining an external peripheral surface adapted for substantial surface contact with an opposed inner peripheral surface of said passage proximate said microfracture system, and means operative to effect expansion of said expansion joint means so as to effect pressurized engagement between said external surfaces of said dam members and said inner surface of said passage whereby to enable predetermined stress application to the rock formation at said microfracture system.
A method for isolating an underground cavity such as a passageway formed within a rock formation having a microfracture system so as to prevent liquid seepage into said cavity, said method comprising the steps of:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.