Abstract: Described herein are apparatus, systems and methods useful in forming vertical structures.

Abstract: This disclosure describes systems and methods for the underground storage of heated or cooled fluid in order to preserve the temperature of the fluid. The systems described herein utilize one or more porosity storage reservoirs for heated or cooled fluid storage, in effect creating cold and or heat reservoirs in the subsurface. The reservoirs are hydrologically separated from the surrounding natural groundwater regime and, at least in part, thermally insulated from the natural environment by the walls creating the underground reservoirs. The walls may be actively or passively heated or cooled to provide better performance.

Abstract: A method of sealing a leak of fluid from a container comprises introducing a solute to a body of fluid within the container. The solute is selected so as to be soluble in the fluid at the expected conditions prevailing inside the container, and insoluble when the pressure experienced by the fluid is reduced at the site of a leak.

Abstract: An engineered, scalable underground containment system and method for storing compressed gases or liquids in permeable rock formations using conventional drilling techniques. The porosity and permeability of the formation may be enhanced to maximize reservoir capacity and increase the rate at which gases and liquids can be introduced into and removed from the reservoir. In some embodiments, layers of cap rock in the formation are utilized as containment barriers, and in some, containment barriers are constructed around the storage zones.

Abstract: A hydraulically impervious earth excavated pond and method of forming the pond. The pond includes a shaped man-made excavated pond basin having sides and a base. An impermeable hardened foam sealant supporting damaging inhibitors is secured to the sides of the pond basin. The inhibitor is a root inhibitor and/or rodent inhibitor/repellant. A resilient liquid impermeable membrane covers the sealant and base of the pond basin.

Abstract: An engineered, scalable underground containment system and method for storing compressed gases or liquids in permeable rock formations using conventional drilling techniques. The porosity and permeability of the formation may be enhanced to maximize reservoir capacity and increase the rate at which gases and liquids can be introduced into and removed from the reservoir. In some embodiments, layers of cap rock in the formation are utilized as containment barriers, and in some, containment barriers are constructed around the storage zones.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for manufacturing underground caverns suitable in one embodiment for storage of large volumes of gaseous or liquid materials. The method is an acid dissolution process that can be utilized to form caverns in carbonate rock formations. The caverns can be used to store large quantities of materials near transportation facilities or destination markets. The caverns can be used for storage of materials including fossil fuels, such as natural gas, refined products formed from fossil fuels, or waste materials, such as hazardous waste materials. The caverns can also be utilized for applications involving human access such as recreation or research. The method can also be utilized to form calcium chloride as a by-product of the cavern formation process.

Abstract: A method for the storage of hydrogen within a subterranean solid carbonaceous formation such as a coal seam. At least one well extends from the surface of the earth into the formation and a pressure gradient extends from the formation to the well to desorb methane within the formation and flow the methane into the well. Subsequent to recovery of the methane from the formation, gaseous hydrogen is injected into the well and into the formation. The injection of hydrogen is carried out under a pressure sufficient to cause the injected hydrogen to become absorbed within the matrix of the carbonaceous formation. Subsequent to storage of the hydrogen, a pressure gradient is established from the formation to the surface to withdraw previously introduced hydrogen to the surface. At least one common well is used for recovery of methane from the formation and introduction of hydrogen into the formation.

Abstract: An underground reservoir for storing water in alluvial deposits utilizes slurry walls keyed to an aquiclude beneath the reservoir to form a substantially impermeable water seal. A variety of water extraction/recharge apparatus provides for rapid and complete filling and draining of the underground reservoir. Such apparatus includes a plurality of wells distributed about the underground reservoir and a series of perforated pipes buried at a predetermined depth within the underground reservoir. A method of mitigating water table fluctuations resulting from the construction of an underground utilizes perforated pipes buried outside of the reservoir to transfer excess water from an uphill land parcel to a downhill land parcel that would otherwise experience a water shortage after construction of the underground reservoir.

Abstract: Encapsulating calcined radioactive waste in strong, corrosion-resistant spheres of dimensions such that heat from the radiation melts the ice at a rate which brings the spheres to the bottom of the permanent icefield in a relatively short time, with the resulting waste ultimately being no more hazardous than natural uranium ore.

Abstract: A compressed gas storage tank 10 utilizes a rock-bed cavity 11 in which a bentonite slurry is fed into an underground cavity 11 formed in a rock-bed, a forcibly fed compressed gas is stored in said rock-bed cavity in a state in which the compressed gas is loaded with a pressure load of the bentonite slurry from the underside of the compressed gas, the bentonite slurry in the rock-bed cavity 11 is of a dual layer structure consisting of an upper layer composed of a light bentonite slurry 30 mixed with a filling-up material invading into and filling up a void and a crack formed in an inner wall surface and a lower layer composed of a heavy bentonite slurry 13 mixed with a high specific gravity fine powder as a load condition material.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming an interconnected underground structure which avoids settling of adjacent soil structure. A plurality of underground support columns is initially formed, with the support columns being spaced apart in a predetermined pattern. Interconnecting holes are thereafter formed between the underground support columns, wherein the interconnecting holes are formed by mechanically cutting the soil and simultaneously hydraulically mixing the mechanically cut soil with slurry injected at velocities of 200 feet per second or higher while maintaining a positive hydrostatic head in the hole relative to adjacent soil. As the interconnecting holes are being formed, the diameter of each interconnecting hole is extended by positioning a second high velocity slurry nozzle near the outer diameter of the interconnecting hole which injects high velocity into the adjacent soil to hydraulically cut the adjacent soil and mix it with the slurry.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for constructing, verifying, and maintaining underground vaults that isolate and contain radioactive burial sites. The method employs a buoyant lift technique to isolate a block of soil containing the contaminates from the surrounding soil. An impermeable synthetic liner is embedded in the vault to enhance the integrity of the system. The integrity of the vault is monitored by a system of sensors placed both inside and outside of the sealed vault. The method eliminates the need to excavate or drill in the contaminated areas.

Abstract: A drainage system for a natural turf athletic field includes a buried drainage network located above a water impermeable membrane which conforms to the topography of a compacted subsoil, the drainage network including a plurality of water impermeable pipe rows partially recessed in depressions in the subsoil and a plurality of water permeable conduit rows oriented perpendicular to and intersecting the pipe rows. At each intersection, a low profile coupling interconnects the respective pipe row to the respective conduit row, the coupling having a vertical dimension less than the combined vertical dimension of the pipe rows and the conduit rows. A fill layer covers the membrane and supports natural turf thereabove. The drainage network connects to a a gravity drain and a water supply. The design of the drainage network results in reduced excavation and simplified construction, thereby lowering the installation cost for the system.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for treating porous media such as subsurface storage tanks or excavations therefore to form primary or secondary permeability barriers. A treatment fluid comprising a polymerizable monomer, a diluent therefor, and a strong acid catalyst mixed with steam is injected into a volume to be treated and contacted with the interior surface thereof. Contact is maintained for a duration sufficient to cause polymerization to occur forming an impermeable barrier in or on the interior surface of the treated volume.

Abstract: A method for supplying gas to gas consumers, which method resides in forming a storage reservoir above a gas-saturated water-bearing horizon under development, filling the storage reservoir thus-formed with gas by periodically subjecting the horizon under development to extraneous effects, followed by delivering the gas to gas consumers. Extraneous effects can be exerted by generating elastic vibrations, providing a pressure difference, raising the temperature, applying electromagnetic field oscillations, or combining these factors. If the method of the invention is used in seismically active areas or in regions exposed to effects of elastic vibrations, its efficiency is considerably increased.

Abstract: Hydrocarbon contaminated soil from the excavation of a leaking underground storage tank is physically and chemically stabilized by combining the soil with a lime substance which is hydrated to form a flowable mixture. This mixture can then be used to fill the excavation and, if applicable, can be flowed around a replaced storage tank creating a low permeable liner. This monolithic mass prohibits hydrocarbons and heavy metals in the soil from leaching into the vicinity groundwater and prohibits leaking from possible future tank ruptures.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the subsequent underground sealing of an area, preferably of dumps. With the method, it is possible to seal dumps underground. Working pipes are introduced from a region outside a dump body. The region of soil between the working pipes is loosened, and sealing material is then introduced into this region, which solidifies to become a sheet-like sealing compound. With this method, in particular existing dump bodies can be sealed subsequently underground, without having to drill through the dump body. The apparatus for carrying out the method has a loosening device, and a feed device for the sealing material. The two devices are able to move in the region between two adjacent working pipes.

Abstract: A basemented floor structure under a waste dump, whereby the burden of the waste body is transferred to piers and then onto foundations and the subgrade, and on which layers of sealing material, drainage material or protective material lie, is built up from individual support elements separated from one another by seams and having an upwardly convex or concave shape. By this structure, unequal setting of the subgrade can be accommodated without harm and cracks in the floor structure are prevented. The upper surfaces of the support element are inclined toward the piers. The seepage is taken from collecting zones through a water removal system to a purification plant.

Abstract: A method of in-situ leaching is disclosed in which the ore body is incapsulated by impermeable barriers. A grid of injection and production wells are drilled into the ore body. Horizontal barriers are formed at the top and bottom of the ore body by creating an overlapping pattern of horizontally-oriented fractures filled with polymer, above and below the ore body, radiating from each of the injection and production wells. A ring of boundary wells may also be drilled surrounding the ore body. The strata around each boundary well is fractured and a polymer is then injected to form a vertical barrier around the periphery of the ore body. The lixiviant is then introduced to extract the desired mineral values. In addition, water may be injected under pressure into guard wells between the ore body and the vertical and/or horizontal barrier wells to further reduce any migration of lixiviant into neighboring formations.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for minimizing the entry of water into a mined cavity or underground formation which has thereabove a semi-permeable layer of a shaly material or rock directly below a source layer of water-saturated sand. By means of a borehole, a fluid such as air or oil is injected into a semi-permeable layer to displace water from it. The injected fluid acts as a barrier to reduce the downward leakage of water into the cavity.

Abstract: The method is especially useful for producing rock caverns for the storage of liquids such as water and oil. The method includes intersection blasting in accordance with the sublevel stopping method for at least one drift near the bottom of the intended rock cavern to produce at least one upwardly widening part section of the cavern. The cavern is then formed to its final cross-section by excavating rock above the part section through successive drilling and blasting of rock layers. The last-mentioned drilling is fan-shaped downwardly directed drilling to obtain an essentially lentiform cross-section of the cavern above the part section.

Abstract: The apparatus to practice the method of this invention is particularly effective in repairing underground gasoline storage tanks which have fractures or perforations directly underneath the filler pipe. A boring and injection tool projects down the filler pipe and perforates and seals adjacent the bottom of the storage tank. A soil stabilizer is injected into the area adjacent and exterior of the underground storage tank. The chemicals project into the pea gravel surrounding the tank and polymerize or solidify to stop infiltration or exfiltration. A sanding tool is next utilized to remove the glaze from the interior of the fiber glass tank. Water is evacuated from the tank and an air jet cleaning tool is utilized to remove the film of water from the area to be repaired. Next, an epoxy injection tool is utilized to deposit epoxy over the area to be repaired. Epoxy solidifies to the inner wall of the tank repairing the perforated or fractured area.

Abstract: Mineral values are recovered from underground formations, and pollution of the formation is substantially diminished if not eliminated, by determining the geometry of an ore body and thereafter isolating the body by the formation of an impermeable barrier thereabout which has the capability of retaining leaching fluid therewithin. Leaching fluid remains downhole without substantial dilution by formation fluid, and conversely without pollution of the surrounding formation, until the mineral values are chemically changed into a recoverable substance which is subsequently pumped to the surface of the earth. In one embodiment of the invention, uranium values are recovered by the use of an organic extractant liquid admixed with an acid aqueous leaching fluid by homogenizing the two solutions prior to pumping the mixture downhole into contact with the ore deposit.

Abstract: A gas seal is formed by a compact layer of an insoluble powder and liquid filling the fine interstices of that layer. The smaller the particle size of the selected powder, such as sand or talc, the finer will be the interstices or capillary spaces in the layer and the greater will be the resulting sealing capacity, i.e., the gas pressure differential which the wet powder layer can withstand. Such wet powder seal is useful in constructing underground gas reservoirs or storage cavities for nuclear wastes as well as stopping leaks in gas mains buried under ground or situated under water. The sealing capacity of the wet powder seal can be augmented by the hydrostatic head of a liquid body established over the seal.

Abstract: Subjacent and lateral supporting soil for an underground tank is stabilized wherein a tank embedded therein is secured against flotation irrespective of the water table level of the surrounding soil. The lateral supporting soil is encased within a well and the subjacent soil is hardened to minimize seepage of water into the soil adjacent to the tank. Means are also provided to remove excess water from the confines of the well thereby minimizing flotation pressure on the tank.

Abstract: Method for depositing a layer or carpet of bitumen in an underground cavern which has a water sump layer in the bottom, and which is used for storing gaseous hydrocarbons, whereby the deposited bitumen carpet minimizes the vaporization of the cavern water into the stored gaseous hydrocarbon.