WO2000017126A1 - Method, liquid composition, and use of such a liquid composition when sealing water-bearing capillaries in rock - Google Patents
Method, liquid composition, and use of such a liquid composition when sealing water-bearing capillaries in rock Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2000017126A1 WO2000017126A1 PCT/SE1999/001619 SE9901619W WO0017126A1 WO 2000017126 A1 WO2000017126 A1 WO 2000017126A1 SE 9901619 W SE9901619 W SE 9901619W WO 0017126 A1 WO0017126 A1 WO 0017126A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- liquid composition
- injection
- water
- calcium
- aqueous solution
- Prior art date
Links
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 76
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 75
- 239000011435 rock Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 48
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 47
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 title claims abstract description 47
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 38
- VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Silicium dioxide Chemical compound O=[Si]=O VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 61
- OYPRJOBELJOOCE-UHFFFAOYSA-N Calcium Chemical compound [Ca] OYPRJOBELJOOCE-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 44
- 229910052791 calcium Inorganic materials 0.000 claims abstract description 44
- 239000011575 calcium Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 44
- 238000002347 injection Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 44
- 239000007924 injection Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 44
- 239000007864 aqueous solution Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 34
- 239000000377 silicon dioxide Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 30
- LRCFXGAMWKDGLA-UHFFFAOYSA-N dioxosilane;hydrate Chemical compound O.O=[Si]=O LRCFXGAMWKDGLA-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 11
- 230000002427 irreversible effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 8
- CURLTUGMZLYLDI-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon dioxide Chemical compound O=C=O CURLTUGMZLYLDI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 29
- 239000001569 carbon dioxide Substances 0.000 claims description 14
- 229910002092 carbon dioxide Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 14
- NTHWMYGWWRZVTN-UHFFFAOYSA-N sodium silicate Chemical compound [Na+].[Na+].[O-][Si]([O-])=O NTHWMYGWWRZVTN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 13
- QTBSBXVTEAMEQO-UHFFFAOYSA-N Acetic acid Chemical compound CC(O)=O QTBSBXVTEAMEQO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 12
- VSGNNIFQASZAOI-UHFFFAOYSA-L calcium acetate Chemical compound [Ca+2].CC([O-])=O.CC([O-])=O VSGNNIFQASZAOI-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 claims description 9
- 239000001639 calcium acetate Substances 0.000 claims description 9
- 229960005147 calcium acetate Drugs 0.000 claims description 9
- 235000011092 calcium acetate Nutrition 0.000 claims description 9
- 150000001875 compounds Chemical class 0.000 claims description 9
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 claims description 8
- 239000004115 Sodium Silicate Substances 0.000 claims description 5
- 239000000654 additive Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 230000000996 additive effect Effects 0.000 claims description 4
- 229910052911 sodium silicate Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000000243 solution Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000005065 mining Methods 0.000 abstract description 2
- 238000005755 formation reaction Methods 0.000 description 15
- 239000000499 gel Substances 0.000 description 8
- 239000003795 chemical substances by application Substances 0.000 description 7
- 239000010410 layer Substances 0.000 description 5
- 230000035515 penetration Effects 0.000 description 5
- 235000019353 potassium silicate Nutrition 0.000 description 5
- 239000003673 groundwater Substances 0.000 description 4
- 150000002894 organic compounds Chemical class 0.000 description 4
- 239000011148 porous material Substances 0.000 description 4
- 239000004568 cement Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000006243 chemical reaction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000012528 membrane Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000000725 suspension Substances 0.000 description 2
- KKCBUQHMOMHUOY-UHFFFAOYSA-N Na2O Inorganic materials [O-2].[Na+].[Na+] KKCBUQHMOMHUOY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000001680 brushing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000969 carrier Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052681 coesite Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 229910052906 cristobalite Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 238000004132 cross linking Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000003431 cross linking reagent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005485 electric heating Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 description 1
- WSFSSNUMVMOOMR-NJFSPNSNSA-N methanone Chemical compound O=[14CH2] WSFSSNUMVMOOMR-NJFSPNSNSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000000178 monomer Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002245 particle Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000005096 rolling process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000741 silica gel Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910002027 silica gel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 150000004760 silicates Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 235000019351 sodium silicates Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000007921 spray Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052682 stishovite Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002344 surface layer Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002352 surface water Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052905 tridymite Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21D—SHAFTS; TUNNELS; GALLERIES; LARGE UNDERGROUND CHAMBERS
- E21D11/00—Lining tunnels, galleries or other underground cavities, e.g. large underground chambers; Linings therefor; Making such linings in situ, e.g. by assembling
- E21D11/38—Waterproofing; Heat insulating; Soundproofing; Electric insulating
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C04—CEMENTS; CONCRETE; ARTIFICIAL STONE; CERAMICS; REFRACTORIES
- C04B—LIME, MAGNESIA; SLAG; CEMENTS; COMPOSITIONS THEREOF, e.g. MORTARS, CONCRETE OR LIKE BUILDING MATERIALS; ARTIFICIAL STONE; CERAMICS; REFRACTORIES; TREATMENT OF NATURAL STONE
- C04B24/00—Use of organic materials as active ingredients for mortars, concrete or artificial stone, e.g. plasticisers
- C04B24/04—Carboxylic acids; Salts, anhydrides or esters thereof
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C04—CEMENTS; CONCRETE; ARTIFICIAL STONE; CERAMICS; REFRACTORIES
- C04B—LIME, MAGNESIA; SLAG; CEMENTS; COMPOSITIONS THEREOF, e.g. MORTARS, CONCRETE OR LIKE BUILDING MATERIALS; ARTIFICIAL STONE; CERAMICS; REFRACTORIES; TREATMENT OF NATURAL STONE
- C04B28/00—Compositions of mortars, concrete or artificial stone, containing inorganic binders or the reaction product of an inorganic and an organic binder, e.g. polycarboxylate cements
- C04B28/24—Compositions of mortars, concrete or artificial stone, containing inorganic binders or the reaction product of an inorganic and an organic binder, e.g. polycarboxylate cements containing alkyl, ammonium or metal silicates; containing silica sols
- C04B28/26—Silicates of the alkali metals
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
- E02D—FOUNDATIONS; EXCAVATIONS; EMBANKMENTS; UNDERGROUND OR UNDERWATER STRUCTURES
- E02D3/00—Improving or preserving soil or rock, e.g. preserving permafrost soil
- E02D3/12—Consolidating by placing solidifying or pore-filling substances in the soil
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21D—SHAFTS; TUNNELS; GALLERIES; LARGE UNDERGROUND CHAMBERS
- E21D9/00—Tunnels or galleries, with or without linings; Methods or apparatus for making thereof; Layout of tunnels or galleries
- E21D9/001—Improving soil or rock, e.g. by freezing; Injections
- E21D9/002—Injection methods characterised by the chemical composition used
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C04—CEMENTS; CONCRETE; ARTIFICIAL STONE; CERAMICS; REFRACTORIES
- C04B—LIME, MAGNESIA; SLAG; CEMENTS; COMPOSITIONS THEREOF, e.g. MORTARS, CONCRETE OR LIKE BUILDING MATERIALS; ARTIFICIAL STONE; CERAMICS; REFRACTORIES; TREATMENT OF NATURAL STONE
- C04B2111/00—Mortars, concrete or artificial stone or mixtures to prepare them, characterised by specific function, property or use
- C04B2111/00241—Physical properties of the materials not provided for elsewhere in C04B2111/00
- C04B2111/00284—Materials permeable to liquids
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C04—CEMENTS; CONCRETE; ARTIFICIAL STONE; CERAMICS; REFRACTORIES
- C04B—LIME, MAGNESIA; SLAG; CEMENTS; COMPOSITIONS THEREOF, e.g. MORTARS, CONCRETE OR LIKE BUILDING MATERIALS; ARTIFICIAL STONE; CERAMICS; REFRACTORIES; TREATMENT OF NATURAL STONE
- C04B2111/00—Mortars, concrete or artificial stone or mixtures to prepare them, characterised by specific function, property or use
- C04B2111/00474—Uses not provided for elsewhere in C04B2111/00
- C04B2111/00724—Uses not provided for elsewhere in C04B2111/00 in mining operations, e.g. for backfilling; in making tunnels or galleries
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C04—CEMENTS; CONCRETE; ARTIFICIAL STONE; CERAMICS; REFRACTORIES
- C04B—LIME, MAGNESIA; SLAG; CEMENTS; COMPOSITIONS THEREOF, e.g. MORTARS, CONCRETE OR LIKE BUILDING MATERIALS; ARTIFICIAL STONE; CERAMICS; REFRACTORIES; TREATMENT OF NATURAL STONE
- C04B2111/00—Mortars, concrete or artificial stone or mixtures to prepare them, characterised by specific function, property or use
- C04B2111/00474—Uses not provided for elsewhere in C04B2111/00
- C04B2111/00732—Uses not provided for elsewhere in C04B2111/00 for soil stabilisation
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a method for sealing water-bearing capillaries in rock, and to a liquid composition which is used in the method.
- the invention also relates to the use of such a liquid composition in the method in connection with sealing roof, walls and/or floor in a tunnel when tunnelling through highly water-bearing, porous rock.
- the invention has its main application when tunnelling through highly water-bearing, porous rock layers, but can also be utilised for other similar applications, for instance when mining or constructing water power plants.
- sealing agents for sealing rock walls are cement suspensions and liquid compositions comprising polymerisable organic compounds.
- sealing concrete When sealing concrete, it is previously known to utilise water glass, i.e. aqueous solutions of sodium silicates having molar ratios between Na 2 O : SiO 2 in the interval between 1.6 and 4, wherein the silicates react with free calcium present in the concrete in order to form a water-insoluble calcium silica hydrate gel which seals capillaries and cracks in the concrete.
- water glass i.e. aqueous solutions of sodium silicates having molar ratios between Na 2 O : SiO 2 in the interval between 1.6 and 4, wherein the silicates react with free calcium present in the concrete in order to form a water-insoluble calcium silica hydrate gel which seals capillaries and cracks in the concrete.
- the concrete In connection with sealing aged or carbonated concrete with a content of free calcium which is too low, it has previously been suggested that the concrete should be pre- treated with calcium acetate before the water glass treatment in order to supply free calcium.
- Sealing concrete using water glass can, for instance, be performed
- sealing methods comprising concrete lining, or concrete lining in combination with liquid-impermeable, special membranes, are technically complicated and very costly.
- sealing agents such as cement suspensions, which contain solid particles
- the first object of the present invention is to provide a method which solves the above-mentioned problems, and which enables capillaries, pores and cracks in rock walls with water-bearing capillaries to be sealed in an efficient and environmentally adapted way.
- this obj ect is achieved by means of the method comprising to drill holes in an adapted hole pattern in the rock, to inject a liquid composition comprising a silica carrier in aqeuos solution into the holes at a high pressure, so that the liquid composition thereby forces away water in the water-bearing capillaries within a sealing area enclosing the hole pattern.
- the liquid composition further comprises a calcium carrier in aqueous solution, wherein the silica carrier and the calcium carrier together with at least water, at a controlled gel-formation rate, form an irreversible calcium silica hydrate gel in the sealing area after inj ection, so that water transport through the water-bearing capillaries within the sealing area is permanently prevented.
- a second object of the present invention is to provide a liquid composition for use when sealing by means of the method according to the invention, and which allows a sufficient penetration depth independently of the rock type.
- this second object is achieved by means of the liquid composition comprising a silica carrier in aqueous solution, and being intended for injection in rock.
- the liquid composition further comprises a calcium carrier in aqueous solution, wherein the silica carrier and the calcium carrier together with at least water are capable of forming an irreversible, permanent calcium silica hydrate gel after injection.
- a third object of the present invention is to propose a particularly preferred use for the liquid composition and the method according to the invention.
- this object is achieved by means of using of a liquid composition according to the invention in a method according to the invention in connection with sealing roof, walls and/or floor of a tunnel when tunnelling through highly water-bearing, porous rock.
- the method comprises to drill holes in an adapted hole pattern in the rock which is to be sealed.
- the hole pattern i.e. hole depth, the number of holes per m 2 , and the location of the holes, is determined by the properties of the rock in question and the requirements for sealing effect.
- the method further comprises to inject a liquid composition with a silica carrier in aqueous solution into the holes at a high pressure, so that the liquid composition thereby forces away water in the water-bearing capillaries within a sealing area enclosing the hole pattern.
- the rock When practising the method according to the preferred embodiment, the rock normally will be possible to seal circularly with between 300 and 1000 mm around each injection hole, but deviations both upwards and downwards can occur depending on the characteristics of the rock and the injection pressure. Accordingly, the hole pattern should be adapted to the possible penetration depth, so that a sealing which fully covers the rock portion in question is obtained.
- the liquid composition further comprises a calcium carrier in aqueous solution, wherein the silica carrier and the calcium carrier together with at least water, at a controlled gel-formation rate, form an irreversible calcium silica hydrate gel in the sealing area after inj ection, so that water transport through the water-bearing capillaries within the sealing area is permanently prevented.
- the silica carrier comprises sodium water glass, while the calcium carrier comprises calcium acetate.
- the silica carrier is provided in the form of a first aqueous solution with 20 - 40 weight-% sodium silicate, while the calcium carrier is provided in the form of a second aqueous solution with 20 - 40 weight-% calcium acetate.
- the ratio between the first and the second aqueous solution is between 1 : 3 and 1 : 1 during the injection.
- the silica carrier and/or the calcium carrier comprise(s) or is/are constituted of other chemical compounds, as long as they are capable of providing calcium and silica, respectively, to the desired calcium silica hydrate gel and allow(s) the method to be practised in an efficient and environmentally adapted way.
- the gel-formation rate is controlled by means of adding an accelerator or a retarder to the liquid composition, before or during the injection into the rock wall. In most cases, an addition of a retarder will be the case in this embodiment.
- One purpose with the addition of an retarder is to reduce the gel- formation rate, so that a sufficient penetration depth can be obtained.
- the retarder can preferably be provided as an additive in the aqueous solution of the silica carrier, and such aqueous solutions are commercially available.
- the accelerator and the retarder can be of any previously known type which is suitable for the purpose.
- the gel-formation reaction which is desired according to the invention, and results in the formation of an irreversible calcium silica hydrate gel requires the presence of carbonic acid (carbon dioxide in water).
- carbonic acid carbon dioxide in water
- the water which is supplied with the liquid composition according to the invention together with the water in the water-bearing capillaries in the rock contains a sufficient amount of carbonic acid for the reaction.
- the gel- formation rate can be increased.
- the gel-formation rate is controlled by means of adding carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) to the liquid composition before or during injection into the holes.
- CO 2 carbon dioxide
- the addition of carbon dioxide to the liquid composition is conveniently performed before injection into the drill holes, but can also be accomplished by means of pressurized injection of carbon dioxide into a drill hole simultaneously as the liquid composition is inj ected.
- the supply of carbon dioxide can be accomplished in any way suitable for the purpose.
- the gel- formation rate is controlled by means of controlling the temperature of the liquid composition before or during the injection.
- the temperature control is accomplished by means of a suitable heating or cooling device, for example an electric heating coil or a cooling coil in the container where the liquid composition is stored.
- the injection of the liquid composition is performed by means of a high-pressure pump in connected to an injection tube having a mixing nozzle and an externally enclosing sealing sleeve for sealing against the rock, wherein the injection pressure is above about 100 bar.
- the high pressure is necessary in order to obtain a sufficient penetration depth.
- the silica carrier and the calcium carrier in aqueous solution are pumped via separate first and second supply tubes to the mixing nozzle, while accelerator or retarder is pumped to the mixing nozzle via a third supply tube.
- carbon dioxide is added to the liquid composition before or during injection, while the temperature, the addition of, and the proportions between silica carrier and calcium carrier, accelerator or retarder, and possible carbon dioxide are controlled with the purpose of influencing the gel-formation rate of the injected liquid composition.
- the temperature, the addition of, and the proportions between the different supplied chemical components have to be adapted to the prevailing conditions, for example the capillary structure, the water pressure, and the temperature of the rock.
- the chemical compounds which are released during the gel-formation essentially consist of acetic acid, and possibly other naturally occurring compounds which are biologically degradable in the short term. In this way, it is ensured that the method according to the invention can be performed in an environmentally adapted way.
- a preferred embodiment and a number of advantageous embodiments of a liquid composition according to the invention will be described.
- the liquid composition comprises a silica carrier in aqueous solution and is intended for injection into rock.
- the liquid composition further comprises a calcium carrier in aqueous solution, wherein the silica carrier and the calcium carrier together with at least water are capable of forming an irreversible, permanent calcium silica hydrate gel after injection.
- the silica carrier comprises sodium water glass, while the calcium carrier comprises calcium acetate.
- the silica carrier is constituted of a first aqueous solution with 20 - 40 weight-% sodium silicate, while the calcium carrier is constituted of a second aqueous solution with 20 - 40 weight-% calcium acetate, wherein the ratio between the first and the second aqueous solution is between 1 : 3 and 1 : 1 during the injection.
- the liquid composition with other suitable carriers and proportions.
- the liquid composition comprises an accelerator or a retarder which has been added to the liquid composition before or during the inj ection.
- the retarder is included as an additive in the above-mentioned first aqueous solution.
- the liquid composition comprises carbon dioxide which has been added to the liquid composition before or during the injection.
- the gel-formation rate of the liquid composition can be controlled by means of controlling the temperature of the liquid composition.
- acetic acid primarily acetic acid, and possibly other naturally occurring compounds which are biologically degradable in the short term, is/are released during the gel-formation after the injection.
- the present invention is particularly advantageously practised by means of using a liquid composition according to the invention in a method according to the invention in connection with sealing of roof, walls and /or floor in a tunnel when tunnelling through highly water-bearing, porous rock.
- the present invention should by no means be regarded as being limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, but the scope of the invention is defined in the attached claims.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Structural Engineering (AREA)
- Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Ceramic Engineering (AREA)
- General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Materials Engineering (AREA)
- Civil Engineering (AREA)
- Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
- Geology (AREA)
- Soil Sciences (AREA)
- Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
- Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
- Organic Chemistry (AREA)
- General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Architecture (AREA)
- Agronomy & Crop Science (AREA)
- Paleontology (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Inorganic Chemistry (AREA)
- Consolidation Of Soil By Introduction Of Solidifying Substances Into Soil (AREA)
- Soil Conditioners And Soil-Stabilizing Materials (AREA)
- Hydroponics (AREA)
Abstract
The invention relates to a method for sealing water-bearing capillaries in rock, a liquid composition which is utilised in the method, and the use of a such liquid composition. The method comprises to drill holes in an adapted hole pattern in the rock, to inject a liquid composition with a silica carrier in aqueous solution into the holes at a high pressure, so that the liquid composition thereby forces away water in the water-bearing capillaries within a sealing area enclosing the hole pattern. According to the invention, the liquid composition further comprises a calcium carrier in aqueous solution, wherein the silica carrier and the calcium carrier together with at least water, at a controlled gel-formation rate, form an irreversible calcium silica hydrate gel in the sealing area after injection, so that water transport through the water-bearing capillaries within the sealing area is prevented. The invention has its main application when tunnelling through highly water-bearing, porous rock layers, but can also be used for other similar applications, for instance when mining or constructing water power plants.
Description
Title MethodJiquid composition, and use of such a liquid composition when sealing water-bearing capillaries in rock.
Technical field
The present invention relates to a method for sealing water-bearing capillaries in rock, and to a liquid composition which is used in the method. The invention also relates to the use of such a liquid composition in the method in connection with sealing roof, walls and/or floor in a tunnel when tunnelling through highly water-bearing, porous rock.
The invention has its main application when tunnelling through highly water-bearing, porous rock layers, but can also be utilised for other similar applications, for instance when mining or constructing water power plants.
Background of the invention
In connection with tunnelling through water-bearing rock layers having crack formations or water-bearing capillaries/pores, the permeation of ground water and/or surface water through the tunnel walls can be a major problem. Besides the fact that the permeating water complicates the tunnelling itself, if it comes to the worst, it can also result in the completed tunnel being weakened.
Therefore, a number of different methods for sealing rock in connection with tunnelling and other work in rock are previously known.
Among the previously known methods, so-called concrete lining can be mentioned, which involves internal lining of the tunnel walls with suitably designed, moulded concrete layers or pre- fabricated concrete elements. In case the water pressure in the rock walls surrounding the tunnel is very high, a special liquid-impermeable membrane must be inserted between the rock wall and the concrete layers facing the tunnel.
There are also a number of previously known sealing methods comprising injection of a suitable sealing agent in drill holes in the rock wall, so that a continuous distribution of the sealing agent is obtained in the capillaries and cracks of the rock wall. After a polymerisation or another chemical reaction, the injected sealing agent forms an impermeable surface layer of the rock wall.
Examples of such previously known sealing agents for sealing rock walls are cement suspensions and liquid compositions comprising polymerisable organic compounds.
When sealing concrete, it is previously known to utilise water glass, i.e. aqueous solutions of sodium silicates having molar ratios between Na2O : SiO2 in the interval between 1.6 and 4, wherein the silicates react with free calcium present in the concrete in order to form a water-insoluble calcium silica hydrate gel which seals capillaries and cracks in the concrete. In connection with sealing aged or carbonated concrete with a content of free calcium which is too low, it has previously been suggested that the concrete should be pre- treated with calcium acetate before the water glass treatment in order to supply free calcium. Sealing concrete using water glass can, for instance, be performed by means of brushing, rolling or low-pressure spray application.
Since the calcium silica gel, which is desired from a sealing point of view, cannot be formed in rock types having no or only a low content of free calcium, it has previously been suggested to inject water glass at high pressure together with certain polymerisable organic compounds as cross-linking agents when sealing rock walls in order to be able to obtain a sealing layer in the treated rock wall having similar sealing properties as the above-mentioned, advantageous calcium silica hydrate gel.
However, the previously known methods for sealing water-bearing capillaries, pores and cracks in rock have proved to have certain disadvantages.
Accordingly, sealing methods comprising concrete lining, or concrete lining in combination with liquid-impermeable, special membranes, are technically complicated and very costly.
When injecting sealing agents such as cement suspensions, which contain solid particles, it has proved to be difficult to obtain a sufficient penetration depth in certain types of rock, for example rock types with capillaries /pores which are smaller than about 5 μm.
Particularly in rock with high flows of ground water, the injection of liquid compositions comprising polymerisable organic compounds has proved to cause problems with discharges of health-impairing residual monomers and other undesired chemical compounds, both into the working environment, the ground water, and the environment.
Also the injection of water glass together with polymerisable organic compounds as cross- linking/gel-forming agents has proved to cause problems with discharges of health- impairing and/or chemical compounds which are not easily biologically degraded, such as for example formaldehyde, into the ground water and/or the environment.
Summary of the invention Accordingly, the first object of the present invention is to provide a method which solves the above-mentioned problems, and which enables capillaries, pores and cracks in rock walls with water-bearing capillaries to be sealed in an efficient and environmentally adapted way.
In accordance with claim 1 , this obj ect is achieved by means of the method comprising to drill holes in an adapted hole pattern in the rock, to inject a liquid composition comprising a silica carrier in aqeuos solution into the holes at a high pressure, so that the liquid composition thereby forces away water in the water-bearing capillaries within a sealing area enclosing the hole pattern. According to the invention, the liquid composition further comprises a calcium carrier in aqueous solution, wherein the silica carrier and the calcium carrier together with at least water, at a controlled gel-formation rate, form an irreversible
calcium silica hydrate gel in the sealing area after inj ection, so that water transport through the water-bearing capillaries within the sealing area is permanently prevented.
Furthermore, a second object of the present invention is to provide a liquid composition for use when sealing by means of the method according to the invention, and which allows a sufficient penetration depth independently of the rock type.
In accordance with claim 10, this second object is achieved by means of the liquid composition comprising a silica carrier in aqueous solution, and being intended for injection in rock. According to the invention, the liquid composition further comprises a calcium carrier in aqueous solution, wherein the silica carrier and the calcium carrier together with at least water are capable of forming an irreversible, permanent calcium silica hydrate gel after injection.
A third object of the present invention is to propose a particularly preferred use for the liquid composition and the method according to the invention.
In accordance with claim 18, this object is achieved by means of using of a liquid composition according to the invention in a method according to the invention in connection with sealing roof, walls and/or floor of a tunnel when tunnelling through highly water-bearing, porous rock.
Detailed description of preferred embodiments
In the following, a preferred embodiment of a method according to the invention will be described.
The method comprises to drill holes in an adapted hole pattern in the rock which is to be sealed. Thereby, the hole pattern, i.e. hole depth, the number of holes per m2, and the location of the holes, is determined by the properties of the rock in question and the requirements for sealing effect.
The method further comprises to inject a liquid composition with a silica carrier in aqueous solution into the holes at a high pressure, so that the liquid composition thereby forces away water in the water-bearing capillaries within a sealing area enclosing the hole pattern.
When practising the method according to the preferred embodiment, the rock normally will be possible to seal circularly with between 300 and 1000 mm around each injection hole, but deviations both upwards and downwards can occur depending on the characteristics of the rock and the injection pressure. Accordingly, the hole pattern should be adapted to the possible penetration depth, so that a sealing which fully covers the rock portion in question is obtained.
According the invention and the preferred embodiment, the liquid composition further comprises a calcium carrier in aqueous solution, wherein the silica carrier and the calcium carrier together with at least water, at a controlled gel-formation rate, form an irreversible calcium silica hydrate gel in the sealing area after inj ection, so that water transport through the water-bearing capillaries within the sealing area is permanently prevented.
In the preferred embodiment, the silica carrier comprises sodium water glass, while the calcium carrier comprises calcium acetate.
In an advantageous embodiment of the method, the silica carrier is provided in the form of a first aqueous solution with 20 - 40 weight-% sodium silicate, while the calcium carrier is provided in the form of a second aqueous solution with 20 - 40 weight-% calcium acetate. Thereby, the ratio between the first and the second aqueous solution is between 1 : 3 and 1 : 1 during the injection.
However, it is also conceivable with embodiments of the invention where the silica carrier and/or the calcium carrier comprise(s) or is/are constituted of other chemical compounds, as long as they are capable of providing calcium and silica, respectively, to the desired calcium silica hydrate gel and allow(s) the method to be practised in an efficient and environmentally adapted way.
In another advantageous embodiment of the method, the gel-formation rate is controlled by means of adding an accelerator or a retarder to the liquid composition, before or during the injection into the rock wall. In most cases, an addition of a retarder will be the case in this embodiment. One purpose with the addition of an retarder is to reduce the gel- formation rate, so that a sufficient penetration depth can be obtained. However, cases may occur where an addition of an accelerator is necessary, for example when larger cracks are present in the portion of the rock which is to be sealed. The retarder can preferably be provided as an additive in the aqueous solution of the silica carrier, and such aqueous solutions are commercially available. The accelerator and the retarder can be of any previously known type which is suitable for the purpose.
The gel-formation reaction which is desired according to the invention, and results in the formation of an irreversible calcium silica hydrate gel, requires the presence of carbonic acid (carbon dioxide in water). In some cases, the water which is supplied with the liquid composition according to the invention together with the water in the water-bearing capillaries in the rock contains a sufficient amount of carbonic acid for the reaction. By means of supplying additional carbon dioxide to the liquid composition, the gel- formation rate can be increased.
Accordingly, in another advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, the gel-formation rate is controlled by means of adding carbon dioxide (CO2) to the liquid composition before or during injection into the holes. The addition of carbon dioxide to the liquid composition is conveniently performed before injection into the drill holes, but can also be accomplished by means of pressurized injection of carbon dioxide into a drill hole simultaneously as the liquid composition is inj ected. The supply of carbon dioxide can be accomplished in any way suitable for the purpose.
In a further advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, the gel- formation rate is controlled by means of controlling the temperature of the liquid composition before or during the injection. Thereby, it can be mentioned that an increase of the temperature increases the gel-formation rate. In this embodiment, the temperature
control is accomplished by means of a suitable heating or cooling device, for example an electric heating coil or a cooling coil in the container where the liquid composition is stored.
In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, the injection of the liquid composition is performed by means of a high-pressure pump in connected to an injection tube having a mixing nozzle and an externally enclosing sealing sleeve for sealing against the rock, wherein the injection pressure is above about 100 bar. Thereby, the high pressure is necessary in order to obtain a sufficient penetration depth. In this embodiment, the silica carrier and the calcium carrier in aqueous solution are pumped via separate first and second supply tubes to the mixing nozzle, while accelerator or retarder is pumped to the mixing nozzle via a third supply tube. Furthermore, if necessary, in this embodiment carbon dioxide is added to the liquid composition before or during injection, while the temperature, the addition of, and the proportions between silica carrier and calcium carrier, accelerator or retarder, and possible carbon dioxide are controlled with the purpose of influencing the gel-formation rate of the injected liquid composition. Thereby, the temperature, the addition of, and the proportions between the different supplied chemical components have to be adapted to the prevailing conditions, for example the capillary structure, the water pressure, and the temperature of the rock.
The basic equipment required for high-pressure inj ection of sealing agents into rock should be well-known to the person skilled in the art, and will not be described in any greater detail herein.
In particularly preferred embodiments of the invention, the chemical compounds which are released during the gel-formation essentially consist of acetic acid, and possibly other naturally occurring compounds which are biologically degradable in the short term. In this way, it is ensured that the method according to the invention can be performed in an environmentally adapted way.
In the following, a preferred embodiment and a number of advantageous embodiments of a liquid composition according to the invention will be described.
The liquid composition comprises a silica carrier in aqueous solution and is intended for injection into rock. According to the invention and the preferred embodiment, the liquid composition further comprises a calcium carrier in aqueous solution, wherein the silica carrier and the calcium carrier together with at least water are capable of forming an irreversible, permanent calcium silica hydrate gel after injection. In the preferred embodiment, the silica carrier comprises sodium water glass, while the calcium carrier comprises calcium acetate.
In an advantageous embodiment of the liquid composition, the silica carrier is constituted of a first aqueous solution with 20 - 40 weight-% sodium silicate, while the calcium carrier is constituted of a second aqueous solution with 20 - 40 weight-% calcium acetate, wherein the ratio between the first and the second aqueous solution is between 1 : 3 and 1 : 1 during the injection. However, it is also conceivable with embodiments of the liquid composition with other suitable carriers and proportions.
In still another advantageous embodiment, the liquid composition comprises an accelerator or a retarder which has been added to the liquid composition before or during the inj ection.
According to one advantageous embodiment of the liquid composition, the retarder is included as an additive in the above-mentioned first aqueous solution.
According to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the liquid composition comprises carbon dioxide which has been added to the liquid composition before or during the injection.
In still another advantageous embodiment, the gel-formation rate of the liquid composition can be controlled by means of controlling the temperature of the liquid composition.
In particularly advantageous embodiments of the liquid composition according to the invention, primarily acetic acid, and possibly other naturally occurring compounds which are biologically degradable in the short term, is/are released during the gel-formation after the injection.
The present invention is particularly advantageously practised by means of using a liquid composition according to the invention in a method according to the invention in connection with sealing of roof, walls and /or floor in a tunnel when tunnelling through highly water-bearing, porous rock. The present invention should by no means be regarded as being limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, but the scope of the invention is defined in the attached claims.
Claims
1. A method for sealing water-bearing capillaries in rock, comprising to drill holes in an adapted hole pattern in said rock, to inject a liquid composition with a silica carrier in aqueous solution into said holes at a high pressure, so that the liquid composition thereby forces away water in said water-bearing capillaries within a sealing area enclosing said hole pattern, characterised in that the liquid composition further comprises a calcium carrier in aqeous solution, and that said silica carrier and calcium carrier together with at least water, at a controlled gel-formation rate, form an irreversible calcium silica hydrate gel in said sealing area after injection, so that water transport through the waterbearing capillaries within the sealing area is permanently prevented.
2. A method according to claim 1, characterised in that the gel-formation rate is controlled by means of adding an accelerator or a retarder to the liquid composition before or during inj ection into said holes.
3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the gel-formation rate is controlled by means of adding carbon dioxide to the liquid composition before or during injection into said holes.
4. A method according to any one of claims 1 , 2 or 3, characterised in that the gel-formation rate is controlled by means of controlling the temperature of the liquid composition before or during injection into said holes.
5. A method according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the injection of the liquid composition is performed by means of a high-pressure pump connected to an injection tube having a mixing nozzle and an externally enclosing sealing sleeve for sealing against the rock, and the pressure during the injection is above about 100 bar, characterised in that silica carrier and calcium carrier in aqueous solution are pumped to said mixing nozzle via separate first and second supply tubes, that accelerator or retarder are pumped to said mixing nozzle via a third supply tube, that carbon dioxide if necessary is added to the liquid composition before or during injection, and that the temperature, the addition of, and the proportions between silica carrier and calcium carrier, accelerator or retarder, and possible carbon dioxide are controlled with the purpose of influencing the gel-formation rate of the injected liquid composition.
6. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the silica carrier comprises sodium water glass, and that the calcium carrier comprises calcium acetate.
7. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the silica carrier is provided in the form of a first aqueous solution with 20-40 weight-% sodium silicate, that the calcium carrier is provided in the form of a second aqueous solution with 20-40 weight-% calcium acetate, and that the ratio between said first aqueous solution and second aqueous solution is between 1:3 and 1:1 during the injection.
8. A method according to claim 7, characterised in that the retarder is provided as an additive in the first aqueous solution before injection.
9. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that chemical compounds which are released during the gel- formation primarily are constituted of acetic acid, and possibly other naturally occurring compounds which are biologically degradable in the short term.
10. A liquid composition for sealing water-bearing capillaries in rock, said liquid composition comprising a silica carrier in aqueous solution and being intended for injection into said rock, characterised in that the liquid composition further comprises a calcium carrier in aqueous solution, and that said silica carrier and calcium carrier together with at least water are capable of forming an irreversible, permanent calcium silica hydrate gel after injection.
11. A liquid composition according to claim 10, characterisedin that the liquid composition comprises an accelerator or a retarder which has been added to the liquid composition before or during the injection.
12. A liquid composition according to claim 10 or 11, characterised in that the liquid composition comprises carbon dioxide which has been added to the liquid composition before or during the injection.
13. A liquid composition according to any one of claims 10 to 12, characterised in that the gel- formation rate of the liquid composition can be controlled by means of controlling the temperature of the liquid composition.
14. A liquid composition according to any one of claims 10 to 13, characterised in that the silica carrier comprises sodium water glass, and that the calcium carrier comprises calcium acetate.
15. A liquid composition according to any one of claims 10 to 14, characterised in that the silica carrier is constituted of a first aqueous solution with between 20-40 weight-% sodium silicate, that the calcium carrier is constituted of a second aqueous solution with 20-40 weight- % calcium acetate, and that the ratio between said first aqueous solution and second aqueous solution is between 1 :3 and 1 : 1 during the injection.
16. A liquid composition according to claim 15, characterised in that the retarder is included as an additive in the first aqueous solution before injection.
17. A liquid composition according to any one of claims 10 to 16, characterised in that primarily acetic acid, and possibly other naturally occuring compounds which are biologically degradable in the short term, is/are released during gel- formation in the liquid composition after injection.
18. A use of a liquid composition according to any one of claims 10 - 17 in amethod according to any one of claims 1 - 9 in connection with sealing roof, walls and/or floor of a tunnel when tunnelling through highly water-bearing, porous rock.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU61274/99A AU6127499A (en) | 1998-09-18 | 1999-09-17 | Method, liquid composition and use of such a liquid composition when sealing water-bearing capillaries in rock |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| SE9803179-2 | 1998-09-18 | ||
| SE9803179A SE512797C2 (en) | 1998-09-18 | 1998-09-18 | Method, liquid composition and use of such liquid composition in sealing water-bearing capillaries in rock |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| WO2000017126A1 true WO2000017126A1 (en) | 2000-03-30 |
Family
ID=20412644
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/SE1999/001619 WO2000017126A1 (en) | 1998-09-18 | 1999-09-17 | Method, liquid composition, and use of such a liquid composition when sealing water-bearing capillaries in rock |
Country Status (3)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| AU (1) | AU6127499A (en) |
| SE (1) | SE512797C2 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2000017126A1 (en) |
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN101638987B (en) * | 2009-07-24 | 2013-05-01 | 中铁二十一局集团有限公司 | Tunnel construction method for crossing high-pressure water-enriched fracture zone with curtain grouting and grout stopping wall |
| CN104632229A (en) * | 2014-12-29 | 2015-05-20 | 中国矿业大学 | Method for optimizing stress field of roadway area based on main stress differences |
| WO2019121873A1 (en) * | 2017-12-20 | 2019-06-27 | Wöllner Gmbh | Method for producing a seal in a ground material by injection using carbon dioxide |
Citations (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPS60231786A (en) * | 1984-05-01 | 1985-11-18 | Kyokado Eng Co Ltd | Pouring grout into ground |
| AU5385194A (en) * | 1993-01-18 | 1994-07-21 | Notwheat Pty Ltd | Method of sealing concrete structure |
| EP0625487A1 (en) * | 1993-05-21 | 1994-11-23 | Rhone-Poulenc Chimie | Mineral grout for consolidation or sealing of soils |
-
1998
- 1998-09-18 SE SE9803179A patent/SE512797C2/en not_active IP Right Cessation
-
1999
- 1999-09-17 AU AU61274/99A patent/AU6127499A/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1999-09-17 WO PCT/SE1999/001619 patent/WO2000017126A1/en active Application Filing
Patent Citations (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPS60231786A (en) * | 1984-05-01 | 1985-11-18 | Kyokado Eng Co Ltd | Pouring grout into ground |
| AU5385194A (en) * | 1993-01-18 | 1994-07-21 | Notwheat Pty Ltd | Method of sealing concrete structure |
| EP0625487A1 (en) * | 1993-05-21 | 1994-11-23 | Rhone-Poulenc Chimie | Mineral grout for consolidation or sealing of soils |
Non-Patent Citations (2)
| Title |
|---|
| DATABASE WPI Week 198601, Derwent World Patents Index; AN 1986-004394 * |
| PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN * |
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN101638987B (en) * | 2009-07-24 | 2013-05-01 | 中铁二十一局集团有限公司 | Tunnel construction method for crossing high-pressure water-enriched fracture zone with curtain grouting and grout stopping wall |
| CN104632229A (en) * | 2014-12-29 | 2015-05-20 | 中国矿业大学 | Method for optimizing stress field of roadway area based on main stress differences |
| WO2019121873A1 (en) * | 2017-12-20 | 2019-06-27 | Wöllner Gmbh | Method for producing a seal in a ground material by injection using carbon dioxide |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| AU6127499A (en) | 2000-04-10 |
| SE9803179L (en) | 2000-03-19 |
| SE512797C2 (en) | 2000-05-15 |
| SE9803179D0 (en) | 1998-09-18 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| US4056937A (en) | Method of consolidating soils | |
| CN101260672B (en) | Weak surface rock slope grouting method and anchor tube for grouting | |
| CN105386435B (en) | It is a kind of to be used for the double-liquid grouting system and its construction technology of cement and water glass solution | |
| CN101694096B (en) | Treatment method for grouting sand-layer foundation on the condition of flowing water | |
| US4043830A (en) | Method of consolidating poor quality soils | |
| US4552486A (en) | Grouting method - chemical method | |
| US4902170A (en) | Grouting method - chemical method | |
| WO2000017126A1 (en) | Method, liquid composition, and use of such a liquid composition when sealing water-bearing capillaries in rock | |
| CS205052B2 (en) | Method of improving strength and impermeability of crumbled material and/or solid products | |
| CA1131456A (en) | Multiple grouting process | |
| US5351757A (en) | Method for silica gel emplacement for enhanced oil recovery | |
| KR102535170B1 (en) | Manufacturing method of silicate grout using reaction rate regulator and grouting method using the same | |
| JPH0642282A (en) | Assembly of bored hole, method therefor and composition | |
| KR100855306B1 (en) | Foundation reinforcement method for which silica sol production unit was used | |
| JP3996009B2 (en) | Two-part waterstop composition | |
| CN1044513A (en) | Post grouting process when being aquifer sand layer behind the wall | |
| CN1423029A (en) | Oil field waterflooding and section-adjusting production-increasing process | |
| KR100463104B1 (en) | Pillar-shaped hardening structure formation equipment and the formation method of leading cement milk pressure injection | |
| JP2005048497A (en) | Method for inhibiting precipitation of efflorescence | |
| KR102641809B1 (en) | Ground reinforcement method using grout composition | |
| JPS61159484A (en) | Grouting method | |
| KR800001254B1 (en) | Method of consolidating poor quality soils | |
| JPS6259718A (en) | Stabiization of ground | |
| SU1059132A1 (en) | Plugging composition for eliminating flushing fluid absorption zones when drilling a well | |
| JPS5825129B2 (en) | Composite grouting method |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| AK | Designated states |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): AE AL AM AT AU AZ BA BB BG BR BY CA CH CN CR CU CZ DE DK DM EE ES FI GB GD GE GH GM HR HU ID IL IN IS JP KE KG KP KR KZ LC LK LR LS LT LU LV MD MG MK MN MW MX NO NZ PL PT RO RU SD SE SG SI SK SL TJ TM TR TT TZ UA UG US UZ VN YU ZA ZW |
|
| AL | Designated countries for regional patents |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): GH GM KE LS MW SD SL SZ TZ UG ZW AM AZ BY KG KZ MD RU TJ TM AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL PT SE BF BJ CF CG CI CM GA GN GW ML MR NE SN TD TG |
|
| 121 | Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application | ||
| DFPE | Request for preliminary examination filed prior to expiration of 19th month from priority date (pct application filed before 20040101) | ||
| REG | Reference to national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: 8642 |
|
| 122 | Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase |