Method of Forming Subterranean Barriers with Molten Wax

摘要

A method of permeating and infusing a formation around the borehole with wax by heating a formation surrounding a borehole and pumping molten wax into the formation, wherein the molten wax flows into and fills voids the formation without disrupting the formation is described. Also, a method of permeating and infusing a formation around the borehole with wax by heating a formation surrounding a borehole, pumping molten wax into the borehole, heating and circulating the molten wax vertically within the borehole for an extended period using a heater and pump attached to a circulation pipe extended to the bottom of a zone of the borehole to be heated, and recovering molten wax from the borehole by displacing it back to the surface with another material of different density is described. Additionally, a method of forming subterranean barriers by drilling multiple closely-spaced boreholes along a subterranean boundary, treating the boreholes with infusions of molten wax, and forming a hydraulic barrier along said boundary is described.

主权项

1. A method of creating and filling a subterranean cut comprising the steps of:
a) drilling a row of holes tracing the path of a desired cut; b) preparing two pipes, wherein each pipe has at least one pulley arranged to conduct a cable saw along at least part of the length of each pipe and between the distal ends of the two pipes; c) advancing the two pipes through two adjacent holes while circulating the cable saw such that a cut is formed between the two holes; and d) pumping a grouting material into at least one of the holes, wherein the grouting material can circulate to other holes along the path of the desired cut, wherein the grouting material provides lubrication for the pipes and the cable saw and facilitates removal of cuttings.