Abstract: Aqueous solutions of amide polymers, such as polyacrylamide when treated with small amounts of a water-soluble polyaldehyde and a hypohalite salt at an alkaline pH, react to form firm gels within a short time at ambient temperature. Such gels, which are stable under alkaline as well as acidic conditions, are usefully employed to plug porous subterranean formations, for grouting of leaking soil pipes or wells, and to otherwise render porous structures impermeable to the passage of liquids such as water.

Abstract: An easily pumpable, liquid alkali metal, e.g., sodium silicate composition of controlled gelling characteristics contains water, an alkali metal silicate, glyoxal, optionally a Group I-III metal salt, e.g., calcium chloride, and from 0.005 to 0.10 weight/volume percent of sodium bisulfite/sodium metabisulfite, per liter of composition. This composition is easily applied at elevated temperatures, e.g., 100.degree. F. and higher.

Abstract: A permanent bin for temporary storage of non-volatile chemical hazardous wastes is provided. An excavation basin is lined with a water-impervious film and a water-impermeable cementitious covering. The bin is formed from perimeter walls which are positioned within the rim of the water-impervious cementitious covering. A liquid collection system is provided to retain any drainage from the system for prompt detection, appropriate analysis and for effective disposal if required.

Abstract: This invention provides a method and a system for waterproofing a desired substrate, and further contemplates, a waterproof and chemical-resistant product. The method provides providing a length of flexible moisture-permeable thin, synthetic sheet material having desired characteristics, placing in contact with the substrate to be waterproofed a layer of the material, covering the layer of material with a central layer of Montmorillonite clay and placing on top of the clay a third layer of the fabric.

Abstract: Water is stored in a sub-surface reservoir that has flexible walls of grouted in situ soils. The water is stored in the voids between soil particles within the reservoir. Usable voids within the container vary from about 20% to about 40% of the totally enclosed volume of the reservoir. The bottom of the reservoir is a natural impervious sub-strata. No excavating of soil is required as they are, generally, sand and gravel deposits that overlie impervious aquicludes. A grout pipe is inserted into the ground by any conventional method, and then grout is continuously injected through the pipe under pressure as the grout pipe is being withdrawn, thus forcing the grout into adjacent soils. Selective positioning of successive grout pipes leads to the formation of a wall.

Abstract: A sealing composition prepared by reacting water-soluble polyurethane prepolymer with water containing latex to provide a gelled viscous mass which will cure to a cross-linked latex-reinforced gel capable of preventing or inhibiting leakage in various structures, when applied at the site of the leakage in the viscous state. The sealing composition of the invention also preferably contains up to 60% by weight of fillers of the total weight of the composition to provide a high compressive strength, shrink-resistant sealing composition.

Abstract: A method of sealing porous earthen surfaces which are in contact with ponded water which comprises treating the water in contact with such surfaces with the following composition:______________________________________ General Formula Ingredients % by Weight ______________________________________ CaSO.sub.4 50-80 Latex Polymer (10-40% 5-20 anionic water-soluble polymer) Water Balance ______________________________________The invention is particularly adapted to sealing soil which is in contact with acid mine waters.

Abstract: Energy level or temperature activated aqueous silicate compositions which gel into impermeable masses at preselected temperatures and processes of selectively forming such gels are provided using as temperature responsive gel activators certain halogenated hydrocarbons with solubilizing groups of hydrogen, carbinol, sulfonyl, aldehyde, ester and carboxyl radicals, the acid equivalents of such radicals or combinations of such radicals and acid equivalents.

Abstract: Aqueous solutions of amide polymers such as polyacrylamide when treated with small amounts of a water-soluble polyaldehyde at an alkaline pH react to form film gels within a short time at ambient temperature. Such gels are usefully employed to plug porous subterranean formations, for grouting of leaking soil pipes or wells, and to otherwise render porous structures impermeable to the passage of liquids such as water.

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 of providing a substantially impermeable lining to the bottom of an earthen pond using native soil. Such soil is classified and formed into a slurry containing fine particles of predominately five or less micron size. The pond bottom is covered with a first layer of the slurry which is allowed to dry to a point where large crack patterns develop. The cracks are filled with a second layer of the slurry. More layers may be applied to form a final lining having the desired permeability for the particular application.

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 unitary liner for an earthen tank fabricated in situ from a multiplicity of fiberglass panels bonded together to form a unitized membrane which is impervious to brine, crude, and drilling mud. The fiberglass panels are prefabricated and rolled into cylinders for delivery to the tank site where field fabrication of the membrane is completed by attaching overlapping edges of the panels to one another to form a seam. The edges are subsequently bonded together by fiberglass cloth and polyester resin. The fiberglass panels are made up of a plurality of sheets of paper and fiberglass cloth bonded together by fiberglass resin. The cylinder is of a configuration which enables it to be easily handled by workmen.

Abstract: Method and means for protecting earth dams from failure caused by overflow or internal (tunnel) erosion. The invention provides a barrier between the dam and the impounded water in the form of a water-impervious covering for the vulnerable surfaces of the dam. At the least the covering should sheathe the top and upstream face, but better protection is provided by extending the covering to the downstream surface. The covering is flexible to conform to the contours and surface irregularities of the dam, and anchoring means are provided to secure the covering to the dam and to prevent or minimize seepage.

Abstract: A method is provided for fixing radioactive ions in porous media by injecting into the porous media water-soluble organic monomers which are polymerizable to gel structures with ion exchange sites and polymerizing the monomers to form ion exchange gels. The ions and the particles of the porous media are thereby physically fixed in place by the gel structure and, in addition, the ions are chemically fixed by the ion exchange properties of the resulting gel.

Abstract: A unitary liner for an earthen tank fabricated in insitu from a multiplicity of fiberglass panels bonded together to form a unitized membrane which is impervious to brine, crude and drilling mud. The fiberglass panels are prefabricated and rolled into cylinders for delivery to the tank site where field fabrication of the membrane is completed by attaching overlapping edges of the panels to one another to form a seam. The edges are subsequently bonded together by fiberglass cloth and polyester resin. The fiberglass panels are made up of a plurality of sheets of paper and fiberglass cloth bonded together by fiberglass resin. The cylinder is of a configuration which enables it to be easily handled by workmen.