Composite particles and methods for their application and implementation
OwnerJohn H. Hullinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
In a method of creating a seal in a subsurface environment, a plurality of manufactured composite particles are placed in the subsurface environment, the composite particles including a sealant material. The sealant material is hydrated to create a cohesive seal. In a method of controlling erosion of a periodically or continuously inundated surface, a plurality of manufactured composite particles are placed around erosion-control objects. The composite particles include a sealant material which is a cohesive, low-permeability material when hydrated. The sealant material physically stabilizes the erosion-control objects on the surface. The invention also relates to compositions and properties of the composite particles.
Claims15
A method of creating a seal in a subsurface environment comprising the steps of:
- placing a plurality of manufactured composite particles around a pipe in the subsurface environment to create a cohesive seal around the pipe, the composite particles including a sealant material that absorbs water to create the seal, and
- hydrating the sealant material to create the seal.
A method of controlling erosion of a periodically or continuously inundated surface comprising:
- placing a plurality of manufactured composite particles around erosion-control objects, the composite particles including a sealant material which is a cohesive, low-permeability material when hydrated;
- the sealant material physically stabilizing the erosion-control objects on the surface.
A method of applying a flowable material onto an underwater surface including contaminated sediments, the flowable material comprising a plurality of manufactured composite particles including a sealant material to form a sealant layer on the surface, the method comprising applying a thin layer of sand-sized material or other material over the surface prior to applying the composite particles to reduce sediment re-suspension upon particle impact, and to minimize penetration and settling of particles into the surface.
A flowable material comprising a plurality of manufactured composite particles, wherein each composite particle comprises:
- a core, and
- a sealant layer at least partially encapsulating the core, the sealant layer comprising sealant material capable of at least one of absorbing water, swelling, and reacting,
- wherein the core is less dense and softer than the sealant layer, and wherein the composite particle has a specific gravity greater than one.
A flowable material comprising a plurality of manufactured composite particles, wherein each composite particle comprises:
- a core, and
- a sealant layer at least partially encapsulating the core, the sealant layer comprising sealant material capable of at least one of absorbing water, swelling, and reacting,
- wherein the sealant layer comprises a combination of a clay mineral and other material comprised of quasi clay-sized particles, the quasi clay-sized particles having an average particle size of less than about 10 microns, wherein the material comprised of quasi clay-sized particles is at least one of zeolites;
- oxides or other forms of aluminum, iron and/or manganese;
- zero-valent iron;
- and humic substances.
A flowable material comprising a plurality of manufactured composite particles, wherein each composite particle comprises:
- a core, and
- a sealant layer at least partially encapsulating the core, the sealant layer comprising sealant material capable of at least one of absorbing water, swelling, and reacting,
- wherein the sealant layer comprises a combination of sand and at least one of a clay mineral and another material comprised of clay-sized particles.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.