Abstract: In a method of gravel packing a wellbore in a subterranean formation, the wellbore having a cased section and an uncased section, the method may include pumping into the wellbore a gravel pack composition having gravel and a carrier fluid, where the carrier fluid includes an oleaginous fluid and an inorganic solid aggregator material.

Abstract: A composition and method for consolidating and mechanically strengthening soil and/or sand, comprising: a) preparing a dry mixture, comprising: the soil and/or sand, CaCl2 or CaO, and alumina, wherein 100 parts of the dry mixture comprises 1-99 parts soil and/or sand, 0-25 parts CaCl2, and 0-25 parts alumina; and b) adding aqueous Na2SiO3, wherein 100 parts v/v of the aqueous Na2SiO3 comprises 1-35 parts Na2SiO3, and 99 to 65 parts water; and repeating steps a and b until refusal occurs. Alternatively, a composition for consolidating and mechanically strengthening soil and/or sand, comprising: 100 parts of a dry mixture, comprising: 99-1 parts of the soil and/or sand; 0-25 parts alumina; 0-35 parts silicate; and 0-25 parts CaCl2. The silicate may be Na2Si2O3, Li2Si2O3, and K2Si2O3.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing proton-conducting clay particles, successively comprising the following steps: a) a step of activating a clay powder, comprising a step in which the said powder is subjected to a gas plasma; b) a grafting step comprising a step of placing the activated powder obtained from step a) in contact with a solution comprising at least one compound comprising at least one group chosen from —PO3H2, —CO2H and —SO3H and salts thereof and comprising at least one group capable of grafting onto the surface of the said powder. Use of these particles for the manufacture of fuel cell membranes.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are an acid emulsion fluid for use in sealing target portions of a hydrocarbon producing formation penetrated by a wellbore and the method of use thereof for fluid loss control.

Abstract: Salt based cores made of a slat, a binder and optionally auxiliary agents are stabilized with an infiltrate.

Abstract: A method for treating a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore that includes injecting an alkali silicate into the wellbore; injecting a solid micronized silicate-precipitating agent into the wellbore; and allowing the alkali silicate and the solid micronized silicate-precipitating agent to react to form a silicate gel is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to oxidation-stable iron oxide pigments which have a coating of at least one organic substance, to their preparation and to their use.

Abstract: A method for making a regenerated soil material for the production of a structural unit includes the steps of: a) obtaining a raw soil material containing aluminum and silicon from a natural source; b) adding an active mineral containing aluminum and silicon to the raw soil material; c) cleaving the raw soil material and the active mineral in a base so as to dissociate aluminum monomer and silicon monomer out of the mixture of the raw soil material and the active mineral; and d) polymerizing the aluminum monomer and the silicon monomer so as to form silicon-oxy tetrahedron and aluminum-oxy tetrahedron in the mixture.

Abstract: An excavation fluid composition useful for enlarging a cavity in the earth includes a synthetic polymer and sodium silicate. The excavation fluid composition is formulated so as to enable the fluid in contact with unstable or sandy soils in the selected areas of the excavation to react and form silicate-based derivatives with lesser solubility, and movement and thus improve soil stability at the excavation wall.

Abstract: Compositions and methods useful in creating boreholes, tunnels and other excavations in unstable soils and earth formations, especially those composed partially or wholly of sand, gravel or other granular or permeable material are disclosed. The fluids include a polymer, and a soluble silicate ion source. The fluids of the invention, when used according to the methods of the invention, have unique dual functionality as excavating fluids and as earth-grouting or soil-hardening compositions.

Abstract: A reflective asphalt emulsion is formed by dispersing asphalt into a slurry of colloidal clay at high shear and thereafter blending titanium dioxide and diatomaceous earth filler, and optionally acrylic latex, at low shear into the emulsion of clay and asphalt to form a white to light gray emulsion having a soft consistency and good shelf life. Particle sizes of the employed asphalt are controlled in order to preserve reflectivity of the finished emulsion.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for sealing subterranean zones. The methods of the invention basically comprise the steps of preparing a sealing composition comprised of an aqueous alkali metal silicate solution, a gelling agent and a delayed acid activator for causing the composition to set into a rigid mass, placing the sealing composition in said subterranean zone and allowing the sealing composition to set into a rigid sealing mass therein.

Abstract: A process for sealing soil formations, wherein a mineral sealing layer of a cohesive soil with the addition of powdery silicate of sodium is applied and mechanically compacted, and wherein: (a) firstly a homogenous mixture is prepared from a cohesive soil having a water in the wet area of the Proctor curve, with the addition of a powdery, aluminate-free soft gel-forming agent; (b) when the soft gel-forming agent has dissolved in the groundwater, powdery silicate of sodium is incorporated in homogeneously; and (c) finally the mixture is mechanically compacted.

Abstract: Liquid hardeners for soil grouting formulations having an acid content no more than 0.1 mg KOH per gm in the form of dimethyl ester mixtures of dimethyl succinate, dimethyl glutarate and dimethyl adipate at a concentration in the mixtures lying within a bounded area in the graph of the drawing of the specification.

Abstract: A composition of matter comprising naturally-occurring humic allophane soil or Ando soil as an essential ingredient admixed with a binder material, said composition is useful in preparation of solid media effective as deodorant, absorbent, adsorbent and the like for treating fluids, in particular contaminated water and malodor air.

Abstract: Inorganic liquid filler compositions, well suited for the sealing or consolidation of ground formations or construction/building materials by injecting such composition into the fissures, cavities or interstices thereof (void volume) and permitting the composition to harden, comprise a homogeneous solution of (i) an alkali metal silicate, (ii) an alkali metal polyphosphate and (iii) an alkali metal aluminate.

Abstract: Inorganic settable slurries well suited for the sealing and/or consolidation of unstable soil/ground formations, or for the sealing/repair of defective building materials, include (a) an aqueous solution of an alkali metal silicate, (b) a water-soluble calcium compound, e.g., lime, (c) an alkali metal aluminate, and (d) an alkali metal hydroxide, preferably sodium hydroxide.

Abstract: This invention provides an improved water-based coating composition. The said coating composition comprises a light mineral such as expanded perlite, dilute sodium metasilicate solution, and a metal oxide. The coating composition of the invention has one or more of the following qualities when cured: non-poisonous; odorless; water resistant; non-conductive; heat resistant; acid resistant; alkaline resistant; rust resistant; ability to withstand burning; and ability to integrate with cement.

Abstract: A soil hardening method is for stabilizing soil through the process of drying and grinding the soil, and applying a first agent and a second agent to the soil until the agents are uniformly infiltrated between soil particles to improve hardening, water proofing and stabilization of the soil. The soil mortar can be applied for all types of the soil including silt, clay, and sand, and soil with high moisture content. The soil mortar is economical due to its short working times, and in addition it has uniform curing and is waterproof.

Abstract: This invention is concerned with a soil stabilization process in which soil particles comprising the soil surfaces to be stabilized are contacted or treated with an aqueous solution of an alkali metal silicate, such as sodium silicate, and a carbonate reactant or gelling agent selected from the group consisting of an alkylene carbonate, such as ethylene carbonate, a polyester polycarbonate and mixtures thereof. This invention also relates to soil stabilized by admixture with (1) an aqueous solution of an alkali metal silicate and (2) the carbonate reactant.

Abstract: A gelable silicate solution prepared by mixing fumed silica and an alkali metal hydroxide with water is provided. The silicate solution is used to form a seal or plug in one or more subterranean formations or in a well bore penetrating the formations by pumping the solution into a desired location in the well bore or formations and allowing the silicate solution to gel therein.

Abstract: Impermeabilization and/or consolidation product for soils and building materials, usable by injection, characterized by the fact that it is obtained by mixture of a compound of slag in suspension in water and of a silica liquor having a ratio of SiO.sub.2 Na.sub.2 O lower than 2 and a silica content greater than about 10% by weight.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of rendering a soil or another material like a mortar, a binder, or a concrete impervious by injecting it with a silica solution. A finely ground powdered compound containing calcium with a solubility in water of between approximately 0.01 g/l and approximately 2 g/l is mixed into the silica solution, which has a ratio of SiO.sub.2 to Na.sub.2 O of between 1 and 1.3, before injection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a coagulant for soil and/or sand and method for preventing washout using the same. The coagulant comprises approximately 10 parts by weight of carboxymethylcellulose, approximately 10 parts by weight of calcium chloride, approximately 10 parts by weight of sodium metasilicate powder, 0.3 to 100 parts by weight of silicon dioxide and 1 to 300 parts by weight of calcium carbonate. The method for preventing washout comprises the steps of scattering the coagulant over the surface of the soil and/or sand in a manner such that 360 to 1000 g of the coagulant is applied to a volume of surface area of 1 m.sup.2 and a depth of 10 cm, and excavating the soil and/or sand to a depth of 5 to 20 cm and mixing the coagulant and the soil and/or sand while adjusting water content of the soil and/or sand in the range of 30 to 45%. In the method, a part of --OH of cellulose in carboxymethylcellulose is denatured into --OCH.sub.3 which is soluble in water and highly adhesive.

Abstract: Aqueous solutions of alkali metal silicate are hardened using blends of alkylene carbonates and aliphatic alcohols such as alkylene diols, polyalkylene glycols, or hydroxyalkyl ethers. The aliphatic alcohol decreases the set time from that obtained using alkylene carbonate alone. The hardened alkali metal silicate compositions are useful as binders in the preparation of foundry molds or in other applications requiring agglomeration of particulate matter.

Abstract: A pumpable, rehydratable grout composition comprising a water-swellable clay and an aqueous mixture comprised of a hectorite, an alkaline metal tetraborate, an alkaline metal carbonate and an alkaline metal chloride, the grout composition being useful in the sealing of earthen formations such as grouting or cementing of conduits in well bores.