Abstract: The present invention provides improved methods and compositions for grouting heat exchange pipe in a hole or trench in the ground. The grouting compositions of the invention have quick set and high thermal conductivity properties and are basically comprised of an amorphous silica material, an alkaline earth metal oxide or hydroxide, a water swellable clay and water present in an amount sufficient to form a slurry. The compositions optionally also include a set retarder and a thermal conductivity increasing agent.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved methods and compositions for grouting heat exchange pipe in a hole or trench in the ground. The grouting compositions of the invention have quick set and high thermal conductivity properties and are basically comprised of an amorphous silica material, an alkali, a water swellable clay and water present in an amount sufficient to form a slurry. The compositions optionally also include a set retarder and a thermal conductivity increasing agent.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved methods and compositions for grouting heat exchange pipe in a hole or trench in the ground. The grouting compositions of the invention have quick set and high thermal conductivity properties and are basically comprised of an amorphous silica material, an alkaline earth metal oxide or hydroxide, a water swellable clay and water present in an amount sufficient to form a slurry. The compositions optionally also include a set retarder and a thermal conductivity increasing agent.

Abstract: Granular sodium bentonite particles in the size range of 8 mesh to 20 mesh, preferably in the size range of 8 mesh to 14 mesh, are coated with a solution of a copolymer of polyacrylamide and polyacrylate (PHPA) in a liquid emulsion form, including mineral oil as a carrier fluid, in proportions of 67% and 33%, by weight, respectively. The coated particles are mixed with water in proportions of 17-30 gallons, preferably 28 gallons, of water to each 50 pounds of coated particles to form a slurry, which is then pumped into an earth borehole to seal, gout or plug the borehole.

Abstract: A dry mix additive, which is used to form a clay-free, i.e., non-argillaceous, inorganic salt-free, i.e., non-brine, biodegradable and chemically degradable aqueous-based wellbore fluid, which is capable of imparting non-Newtonian, pseudoplasticity and fluid loss controlling properties to aqueous systems for use in horizontal directional drilling, finding utility in horizontal environmental well installation for soil and groundwater remediation. The dry mixture comprises (1) from about 80-90 by weight of pre-gelatinized corn starch heteropolysaccharide, and (2) from about 10-20 by weight of a synthetic biopolymer such as Xanthan gum treated with a dispersing agent (glyoxal) for ease of dispersion. Sodium hypochlorite can be added, if desired, to the wellbore fluid to provide resistance to bacterial attack. The dry mixture is added to either fresh water or acidic water in amounts of 12-15 pounds of the dry mixture to a barrel (42 U.S.

Abstract: Disclosed is a composition comprising a water swellable clay, and particularly a sodium montmorillonite clay such as bentonite, sodium carbonate, and a water-soluble biopolymer, and particularly a xanthan biopolymer. The composition when mixed with fresh water forms an aqueous drilling mud having the desirable fluid properties including a high gel strength profile of 10-second/10-minute/30-minute gel and a low API fluid loss for use in trenchless directional drilling including mini-horizontal directional drilling, guided boring, auger boring, pipe jacking, microtunneling, and river crossing. The composition mixed with an aqueous medium provides a water-based drilling mud applicable to trenchless directional drilling in an unconsolidated formation and particularly in an environment contaminated with salty water such as sea water. The composition contains a mixture of about 91 to 98% by weight of Wyoming bentonite, about 1 to 8% by weight of carbonate salt of alkali metal, and about 0.