Gel-Forming Injection Medium for Foundation Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for sealing deep construction pits submerged in groundwater face challenges in meeting environmental and water regulations due to the use of materials like sodium silicate and sodium aluminate hydrate, which are no longer approved, and require significant anchoring elements for buoyancy security, leading to increased costs and environmental concerns.
Innovation Solution
An injection medium composed of a mixture of water glass and an acidic solution containing a gel-forming component from hydroxycarboxylic acids, such as citric acid, with controlled metal content and pH, which forms a gel-like structure upon exothermic reaction, providing a durable and environmentally compatible sealing solution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional materials like sodium silicate and sodium aluminate hydrate are used for sealing deep construction pits, then sealing effectiveness is achieved, but environmental and water regulations are violated and material costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the injection medium by using approved materials with controlled pH (5.5-7.5) and specific chemical properties. The new formulation uses different chemical compounds that meet environmental regulations while maintaining the sealing function, directly resolving the contradiction between sealing effectiveness and environmental compliance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite injection medium combining multiple approved components: water glass, silicic acid esters, and organic acids in specific proportions. This composite formulation achieves the required sealing performance while complying with environmental standards, as each component is individually approved and their combination maintains regulatory compliance
2Ease of manufacture
If deep excavation sealing is performed without sufficient anchoring elements, then material costs and construction complexity are reduced, but buoyancy security is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical-chemical parameters of the sealing material to achieve higher strength and lower permeability characteristics. The optimized formulation creates a more robust sealing barrier that provides inherent structural support, reducing the need for additional anchoring elements while maintaining buoyancy security
Solution Approach 2:
The composite injection medium combines materials with complementary properties: water glass provides structural strength, silicic acid esters enhance binding properties, and organic acids control pH and reactivity. This composite creates a sealing material with superior mechanical properties that reduces dependency on separate anchoring systems
3Object-affected harmful factors
If approved materials with controlled pH and composition are used, then environmental compatibility is improved, but formulation complexity and production requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the injection medium into distinct functional components with specific roles: water glass (10-30%) for structural base, silicic acid esters (0.1-5%) for gel formation, and organic acids (0.1-5%) for pH control. Each component has defined specifications, allowing systematic production and quality control while maintaining environmental compliance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes specific parameter ranges for each component (pH 5.5-7.5, defined concentration ranges) that simplify formulation development. By controlling parameters within these ranges, producers can ensure environmental compliance without excessive complexity, as the parameter boundaries provide clear manufacturing guidance
4Reliability
If the injection medium forms a gel-like structure through exothermic reaction, then sealing durability and low permeability are achieved, but reaction control and processing time are constrained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent controls the exothermic reaction rate by adjusting parameters: pH (5.5-7.5) moderates reaction intensity, and the specific concentration ranges of components control gelation speed. This allows the reaction to proceed sufficiently for durable sealing while maintaining practical processing time for injection operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the time-dependent nature of the exothermic reaction, where gel formation occurs in stages. The formulation is designed so that initial injection occurs before complete gelation, allowing material placement, followed by gradual gel formation that creates the durable low-permeability structure. This temporal sequencing resolves the conflict between reaction completeness and processing time
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution is easy to produce and process, offers excellent environmental compatibility, high biodegradability, and maintains low permeability, ensuring effective sealing while adhering to environmental regulations and reducing material costs.
Implementation Method 1
which forms a gel-like structure upon exothermic reaction
Implementation Method 2
forms a gel-like structure upon exothermic reaction
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an injection medium for sealing building foundations, produced as a mixture of a water glass solution and an acidic solution as a hardening agent, containing at least one gel-forming component from the group of hydroxycarboxylic acids. The invention further relates to a method for producing an injection medium.