Abstract: A high-efficiency yield-increasing exploitation method for natural gas hydrates includes steps of drilling of natural gas hydrate reservoirs along horizontal wells, seepage increasing by fracturing for fracture forming and stability improvement by grouting in the natural gas hydrate reservoirs, and yield improvement by combined exploitation of depressurization of the horizontal wells and heat injection; according to the present invention, drilling time is shortened by rapid drilling along the horizontal wells, the permeability of the reservoirs can be effectively improved by fracturing for fracture forming, the stability of the reservoirs can be improved by injecting foam cement slurry into the reservoirs, and the yield of the natural gas hydrates can be improved by the combined exploitation method of depressurization of the horizontal wells and heat injection.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Modifications to the extracellular polymeric substance, predominantly extracellular polysaccharide, of a biopolymer produced by Rhizobium tropici ATCC 49672 yield a stable dry salt transported more easily than a fluid or gel and more stable than either. The salt may be re-constituted with water on-site. Embodiments may be employed as a soil amendment for soil strengthening, reducing hydraulic conductivity, erosion control and dust control as well as a metal chelator for contaminant remediation. Based on comparison with dextran standards, an embodiment demonstrated a molecular weight over 511,000 D. Embodiments include a day salt that is precipitated from solution and in use is re-hydrated back to original form. When added to a sandy soil at 0.1% by dry weight, an embodiment decreased the hydraulic conductivity by three orders of magnitude.

Abstract: The invention relates to a barrier cap material including a blend of: a plurality of aggregate particles, and a plurality of manufactured composite particles including a hydratable sealant material. In a particular embodiment, the segregation of a blend of aggregate particles and composite particles, when dropped through a water column can be controlled by varying blends of aggregate and composite particles. In another embodiment, the permeability of the barrier cap material, when hydrated on a surface, can be controlled from 1×10?3 cm/sec to 1×10?8 cm/sec by varying blends of aggregate and composite particles.

Abstract: A clay-containing mixture of dry solids to be used in forming a moisture-resistant gel, and a method for directly forming a moisture-resistant gel on a surface to be treated, using such a mixture. The present invention furthermore relates to the use of such a mixture.

Abstract: A system for recovery of hydrocarbons or thermal energy from host-rock fotions bearing coal, oil-shale, tar-sands or oil by use of a hydrologic cell which conveys a reacting fluid under pressure to a source-aquifer, thereafter extracting thermal energy or hydrocarbons from said host-rock, moving said hydrocarbons or thermal energy to said sink-aquifer and then removing the hydrocarbons or thermal energy to the surface for ultimate use.

Abstract: A process is provided for feeding cables, wires, pipes etc. through a wall in such a way that the water- and/or gas resistance of the wall is maintained and that later on additional cables etc. can be passed through. The process uses a sealing agent comprising an intimate mixture of a water-swellable substance such as a clay and a hydrophobic substance such as vaseline. The sealing agent can be placed in a tubular device for providing water-tightness when making a bushing in a partially porous wall.

Abstract: A storage system for solid waste material has a sloped storage basin with a subgrade covered by a 3-layer liner comprising top and bottom liquid impermeable layers separated by a drainage layer. The top layer drains into a leachate collection site and the drainage layer drains into a secondary collection site for detection of leakage through the top layer. A cap covers solid waste material stored on the liner. The top and bottom layers of the liner, and an upper layer of the cap are preferably dense-graded asphalt cement, and the drainage layer of the liner is preferably open-graded asphalt cement.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a built-up granular structure having a stable moisture content controlled upper layer. The preferred granular structure includes an improved fine aggregate upper surface layer, a coarse aggregate reservoir layer having a topmost application of perforate adhesive material, and a dry moisture barrier layer having a topmost impervious layer. The entire layered structure is supported by any firm base including compacted soil or an existing playing court structure. A containment wall having screened drainage inlets/outlets surrounds the periphery of the structure.

Abstract: A barrier in a subterranean structure is provided by the form of a sealing wall consisting of glass panels or panes in spaced-apart relationship within the packing mass between the panes and also embedding the sealing wall in the slit which is found in the subterranean structure.

Abstract: An improved method of pothole repair is described wherein the bond between the pothole area and the asphaltic patch repair material is significantly improved. The method is characterized by applying an aqueous solution of a water soluble acid salt of a fatty amine, amido-amine polyamine or cyclic amine to the pothole area before adding the patch material to the cavity.

Abstract: An improved method of pothole repair is described wherein the bond between the pothole area and the asphaltic patch repair material is significantly improved. The method is characterized by applying an aqueous solution of a water soluble acid salt of a fatty amine, amido-amine polyamine or cyclic amine to the pothole area before adding the patch material to the cavity.

Abstract: A method for depositing asphalt from an asphalt emulsion onto an aggregate is disclosed comprising wetting the aggregate with water containing between about 0.01 weight percent and about 1.0 weight percent of coupling agent selected to have charge opposite to the charge of said asphalt emulsion and applying said asphalt emulsion to the wetted aggregate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of constructing a continuous cut-off wall and a core of a fill-type dam in the ground by placing or grouting at a normal temperature a mixture of a cold-setting property comprising a cement, coarse and fine aggregates and a bituminous emulsion in a certain range of composition (hereinafter referred to as a cement bitumen concrete or a CA concrete), or a mixture of a cold-setting property comprising a cement, fine aggregate and a bituminous emulsion in a certain range of composition (hereinafter referred to as a cement bitumen mortar or a CA mortar) and further constructing an extended core of a fill-type dam above the continuous cut-off wall.

Abstract: There is provided a method for depositing asphalt from an asphalt emulsion onto an aggregate, as in road construction. Prior to applying the asphalt emulsion, the aggregate is wetted down with water containing a minor amount of an anionic or a cationic coupling agent selected to have a charge opposite to that of the asphalt emulsion.

Abstract: A first solution of an electrolyte is injected underground into a volume of soil having negative surface charges on its particles. A cationic surfactant suspended in this solution neutralizes these surface charges of the soil particles within the volume. Following the first solution, a cationic asphalt emulsion suspended in a second solution is injected into the volume. The asphalt emulsion diffuses through the volume and electrostatically bonds with additional soil surrounding the volume such that an electrically conductive water repellant shell enclosing the volume is formed. This shell prevents the leaching of electrolyte from the volume into the additional soil. The second solution also contains a dissolved deliquescent salt which draws water into the volume prior to the formation of the shell. When electrically connected to an electrical installation such as a power line tower, the volume constitutes a grounding electrode for the tower.