Abstract: The fluid loss and viscosity loss characteristics of a water expandable bentonite clay are substantially improved by extruding the clay through die openings while, at the same time, passing a wiper or scraping blade across the entrance of the die openings. In this manner, very inexpensive and low grade clays can be substantially improved and thus modified making such clays acceptable in fluid loss and viscosity for use in a drilling fluid or mud.

Abstract: A sealing system for an earthen container such as a pit, lagoon, land fill or the like for storing waste materials includes an outer seal layer formed by mixing a water expandable colloidal clay, such as bentonite with the soil of the pit. A middle or intermediate layer is defined by a layer of granular fill material placed on the first layer. An inner seal layer is formed by mixing water expandable colloidal clay, such as bentonite with the upper surface of the granular fill layer. A source of pressurized clean fluid is in communication with the granular fill layer to develop pressure therein and prevent leakage through the inner seal layer. Level sensing apparatus for sensing the level of waste and clean fluids may be included and apparatus for detecting leakage may also be included.

Abstract: A method of constructing an in-ground liquid barrier in separate sections with liquid tight joints between the sections. A barrier area is excavated and the sections formed therein, preferrably by initially filling the excavation with a liquid sealing slurry and sequentially displacing portions of the slurry with a liquid impermeable barrier material to form barrier sections which are mutually abutting along leaky interfaces. A bore is drilled between adjacent sections in a direction generally transverse to the direction of leakage, and filled with a liquid sealing material to seal the joint. The sealing material preferrably comprises a dry, hydro-expandable bentonite composition which expands to form a slurry sealant by permitting liquid to seep between the barrier sections into the bore and contact the bentonite therein.

Abstract: A water soluble cable lubricating composition and method involves a lubricant in liquid or gel form that possesses the ability to adhere to the surface to be lubricated. The composition includes an aqueous solution of from about 1 to 4% of a water soluble cellulose derivative, such as carboxymethyl cellulose, and from about 1/2 to 2% of polyacrylamide. The lubricant may also include a hygroscopic agent such as ethylene glycol to prevent the lubricant from drying out too rapidly in use.

Abstract: A masonry cement is prepared by dry mixing portland cement, diatomaceous earth and a water-swellable colloidal clay, such as bentonite. Accordingly, the crushed limestone and other ingredients previously included in masonry cements for admixture with portland cement can be completely eliminated and substituted by diatomacious earth and water-swellable colloidal clay. In this manner, a combination of less than about 10% by weight of a combination of diatomaceous earth and colloidal clay replaces approximately 50% by weight crushed limestone and other ingredients from prior art masonry cement compositions while providing a masonry cement which meets ASTM specifications, particularly for air entrainment, water retention and compressive strength.

Abstract: A method of constructing an in-ground liquid barrier in separate sections with liquid tight joints between the sections. A barrier area is excavated and the sections formed therein, preferrably by initially filling the excavation with a liquid sealing slurry and sequentially displacing portions of the slurry with a liquid impermeable barrier material to form barrier sections which are mutually abutting along leaky interfaces. A bore is drilled between adjacent sections in a direction generally transverse to the direction of leakage, and filled with a liquid sealing material to seal the joint. The sealing material preferrably comprises a dry, hydro-expandable bentonite composition which expands to form a slurry sealant by permitting liquid to seep between the barrier sections into the bore and contact the bentonite therein.

Abstract: A chemical agent for treating oily emulsions and the like in industrial waste water includes a homogenous mixture of talc; adipic acid; aluminum sulfate; TIXOTON, a registered trademark; a flocculating agent; lime and bentonite. The process for producing the agent involves the steps of introducing the compounds, one at a time, and in the order listed above into a mixing chamber wherein the mixture is vigorously stirred until homogenity is achieved.

Abstract: A bentonite composition useful for preventing a flow of water through a structure is disclosed. The composition has substantially all of the bentonite in non-hydrated form by dispersing the bentonite throughout a non-aqueous gel formed from a non-aqueous liquid and a suitable gelling agent for the liquid to form a cohesive mass capable of adhering to a structure while maintaining a desired, cohesive form. The composition can be made into sheets, rods, tubes and the like. For example, the composition can be applied to one side of a water permeable cellulosic fiber containing sheet and the composition side of the sheet secured over an area of potential water flow.

Abstract: A bentonite composition useful for preventing a flow of water through a structure is disclosed. The composition has substantially all of the bentonite in non-hydrated form by dispersing the bentonite throughout a non-aqueous gel formed from a non-aqueous liquid and a suitable gelling agent for the liquid to form a cohesive mass capable of adhering to a structure while maintaining a desired, cohesive form. The composition can be made into sheets, rods, tubes and the like. For example, the composition can be applied to one side of a water permeable cellulosic fiber containing sheet and the composition side of the sheet secured over an area of potential water flow.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use in separating oversize from on size particles in a mass of particulate materials passed rapidly through a screening device includes a sloping screen mesh having sizing openings dimensioned to be larger than the desired maximum on size particles intended to pass through the mesh. The screen mesh is supported at a relatively steep slope angle and the cosine of the angle of the slope multiplied times the mesh opening size is set up to be substatially equal to the desired maximum on size particles to be passd through the screen mesh. A particle rebound shield is spaced at a distance in the range of 1.25 to 3 times the diameter of the largest particles fed to the screen above the upper surface of the screen mesh for reflecting and directing particles that bounce off the screen mesk back towards the openings therein.

Abstract: A combustible carbonaceous briquette, having a high bond strength and good burning characteristics is formed by adding to the carbonaceous material a composition containing from about 80% to 99.9%, by weight, of sodium bentonite, from about 0.1% to 5%, by weight, of a water soluble acid polymer (i.e. having a carboxylic acid, salt thereof or anhydride thereof) and preferably from about 0.1% to 5%, by weight, of a water soluble dispersing agent. A combustible carbonaceous briquette formed from about 90% to 99% of carbonaceous material and a binding effective amount of the binding agent composition to form a briquette which has high strength, will not easily crumble or disintegrate and has good burning characteristics.

Abstract: The amount of soot and slag formed during the combustion of carbonaceous waste material is appreciably reduced by combusting said waste material in the presence of at least 0.0001%, by weight, of sodium bentonite, based on the weight of carbonaceous material being combusted. The sodium bentonite may be added directly to the waste material before entering the furnace or the sodium bentonite may be added directly to the furnace.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for making brick from shale or a mixture of clay and shale by adding to the shale or shale mixture an additive containing sodium bentonite, a water soluble anionic polyelectrolyte polymer, and, preferably, a water soluble dispersant. The additive increases the plasticity and the green strength of the shale or shale mixture so that high quality bricks can be produced from such raw material.

Abstract: A panel is provided forming a water barrier and comprising two opposing spaced sheets having between said spaced sheets a sealant composition comprising bentonite; a water soluble dispersing agent selected from the group consisting of a water-soluble salt of acetic acid, a water-soluble salt of phosphoric acid, and a water-soluble salt of boric acid; and a water-soluble polymer selected from the group consisting of polyacrylic acid, water-soluble salts of polyacrylic acid, hydrolyzed polyacrylonitrile, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl alcohol, copolymers of the foregoing, and a copolymer of acrylic acid and maleic anhydride, the amount of water-soluble polymer in said sealant composition being from 0.1% to 3.0%, by weight, and the amount of water-soluble dispersant in said sealant composition being from 0.1% to 3.0%, by weight, the weight ratio of water-soluble dispersant to water-soluble polymer being from 6:1-36.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use in separating oversize from on size particles in a mass of particulate materials passed rapidly through a screening device includes a sloping screen mesh having sizing openings dimensioned to be larger than the desired maximum on size particles intended to pass through the mesh. The screen mesh is supported at a relatively steep slope angle and the cosine of the angle of the slope multiplied times the mesh opening size is set up to be substantially equal to the desired maximum on size particles to be passed through the screen mesh. A particle rebound shield is spaced closely above the upper surface of the screen mesh for reflecting and directing particles that bounce off the screen mesh back towards the openings therein.

Abstract: A panel is provided forming a water barrier and comprising two opposing spaced sheets having between said spaced sheets a sealant composition comprising bentonite; a water soluble dispersing agent selected from the group consisting of a water-soluble salt of acetic acid, a water-soluble salt of phosphoric acid, and a water-soluble salt of boric acid; and a water-soluble polymer selected from the group consisting of polyacrylic acid, water-soluble salts of polyacrylic acid, hydrolyzed polyacrylonitrile, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl alcohol, copolymers of the foregoing, and a copolymer of acrylic acid and maleic anhydride, the amount of water-soluble polymer in said sealant composition being from 0.1% to 3.0%, by weight, and the amount of water-soluble dispersant in said sealant composition being from 0.1% to 3.0%, by weight, the weight ratio of water-soluble dispersant to water-soluble polymer being from 6:1-36.

Abstract: A super-yield bentonite base drilling fluid composition is provided having a yield of more than 500 barrels per ton of bentonite, comprising water, bentonite clay, and a partial calcium salt of polyacrylic acid in an amount greater than about 7% by weight based on the total weight of bentonite. The fluid exhibits excellent viscosity, gelation and filtrate loss characteristics at extremely low bentonite levels.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for containing water having a high concentration of water-soluble industrial waste which, when in contact with bentonite, disintegrates the bentonite thereby allowing seepage of water through soil containing said water which comprises intimately admixing with said soil a soil sealant composition consisting essentially of bentonite, a water-soluble dispersing agent, and a water-soluble polymer selected from the group consisting of polyacrylic acid, water-soluble salts of polyacrylic acid, hydrolyzed polyacrylonitrile, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl alcohol, copolymers of the foregoing, and a copolymer of acrylic acid and maleic anhydride, the amount of water-soluble polymer being from 0.1 to 3.0%, by weight, and the amount of water-soluble dispersent being from 0.1 to 3.0%, by weight, the weight ratio of water-soluble dispersent to water-soluble polymer being from 6.

Abstract: A moisture impervious panel includes a pair of spaced facing sheets interconnected by a central rigid support sheet, such as corrugated fiberglass, to form a plurality of pockets between the support sheet and the facing sheets. The pockets are filled with a composition of water-swellable bentonite and a compressible filler, such as vermiculite.

Abstract: A panel is provided forming a water barrier and comprising two opposing spaced sheets having between said spaced sheets a sealant composition comprising bentonite; a water soluble dispersing agent selected from the group consisting of a water-soluble salt of acetic acid, a water-soluble salt of phosphoric acid, and a water-soluble salt of boric acid; and a water-soluble polymer selected from the group consisting of polyacrylic acid, water-soluble salts of polyacrylic acid, hydrolyzed polyacrylonitrile, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl acid and maleic anhydride, the amount of water-soluble polymer in said sealant composition being from 0.1% to 3.0%, by weight, and the amount of water-soluble dispersant in said sealant composition being from 0.1% to 3.0%, by weight, the weight ratio of water-soluble dispersant to water-soluble polymer being from 6:1-36. The panel is disposed against a foundation to act as a water barrier, shielding the foundation against water seepage.