Grout compositions having high thermal conductivities and methods of using the same

Abstract

Grout slurries are provided that have high thermal conductivities of greater than about 1.4 Btu/hr-ft-° F. and low hydraulic conductivities ranging from about 5×10−9 cm/s to about 1×10−8 cm/s. Such grout slurries comprise water and a grout composition that is available as a one-sack product. The grout composition includes calcium bentonite present in an amount of from about 15% to about 45%, sodium bentonite present in an amount of from about 15% to about 45%, silica flour present in an amount of from about 10% to about 35%, and flaked graphite present in an amount of from about 10% to about 75%, all by weight of the grout composition. Further, methods of installing a conduit such as a heat transfer loop in a hole in the earth include placing the conduit in the hole, forming the foregoing grout slurry, and placing the grout slurry in the hole adjacent to the conduit.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.