CONSTRUCTION OF A FLUID IMPERMEABLE SUBTERRANEAN BARRIER WALL

摘要

A process is provided for constructing a fluid impermeable subterranean barrier wall in a permeable earthen material at an earthen surface. The process is initiated by excavating an earthen pit in the permeable earthen material. A gelable slurry is prepared including unconsolidated solids, an aqueous solvent, a cross-linkable polymer and a polymer cross-linking agent. The unconsolidated solids consist of a soil or a clay. The unconsolidated solids can also include a number of additive agents which enhance the performance of the gelable slurry. The gelable slurry is placed in the earthen pit and gelled to substantial maturity. The resulting gel binds the unconsolidated solids present in the earthen pit to convert the gelable slurry to a gelled continuum of consolidated solids forming the fluid impermeable barrier wall in the earthen pit. In an alternative embodiment, a displaceable slurry formed from a liquid and unconsolidated solids is placed in the earthen pit ahead of the gelation solution. The gelation solution is subsequently placed in the earthen pit to displace at least a portion of the displacable slurry and gels to substantial maturity in the earthen pit.