Polyurethane Resin Soil Impermeabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for making soil impermeable to prevent chemical spills from leaking into groundwater are inadequate, particularly in tank farms storing hydrocarbons, as they require complex membrane systems that are prone to damage and costly to maintain.
Innovation Solution
Applying a polyurethane resin to the soil that incorporates soil particles into a matrix, creating a substantially impermeable layer to prevent the penetration of hydrocarbons and other chemicals into the groundwater, using a method that involves multiple coats of low-viscosity polyurethane to fill soil voids and harden the soil surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If solid sheet membranes are used to make soil impermeable, then the soil becomes substantially impermeable to chemicals, but the system becomes complex and prone to damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the impermeable barrier function from complex solid sheet membranes and applies it directly to the soil through polyurethane resin injection. This eliminates the need for separate membrane layers while maintaining chemical containment, thereby reducing system complexity while preserving reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state of the polyurethane resin from liquid (for injection) to solid (after curing), transforming the application method from complex membrane installation to simple resin injection. This parameter change enables direct soil treatment without requiring external membrane structures
2Reliability
If membrane-forming material is sprayed over the soil in multiple sessions, then the soil becomes impermeable, but the material needs to fuse to form a continuous membrane which is complex
Solution Approach 1:
The polyurethane resin performs self-fusion by reacting with moisture in the soil to form a continuous polymer matrix that bonds soil particles together. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for external fusion processes or complex multi-session spraying, simplifying the application while ensuring continuous impermeability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite material system where polyurethane resin combines with soil particles to form a unified impermeable matrix. This composite approach integrates the barrier function directly into the soil structure, eliminating the need for separate membrane layers and simplifying the overall system
3Reliability
If polyurethane resin is applied to incorporate soil particles into a matrix, then the soil becomes substantially impermeable, but the resin must penetrate deep into the soil
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the viscosity parameter of the polyurethane resin to enable effective penetration into soil voids while maintaining sufficient coverage. By controlling resin flow characteristics, the system achieves deep penetration without requiring excessive application depth, balancing impermeability with practical application
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 polyurethane resin effectively creates a durable, impermeable layer that prevents hydrocarbons and other chemicals from penetrating more than 120 mm into the soil within 7 days, allowing for containment and cleanup of spills without groundwater contamination, with the layer remaining effective for at least 14 days.
Implementation Method 1
applying a polyurethane resin to the soil, wherein said polyurethane resin is adapted to incorporate soil particles into a matrix as it penetrates the soil
Implementation Method 2
polymerisation reaction that occurs when the polyurethane resin comes into contact with water and/or soil particles
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a method of making soil substantially impermeable to a chemical compound or composition that may pollute groundwater, comprising applying a polyurethane resin to the soil, wherein said polyurethane resin is adapted to incorporate soil particles into a matrix as it penetrates the soil to make the soil substantially impermeable to said chemical compound or composition. It also relates to a method of containing a chemical compound or composition that may pollute groundwater within a containment structure that has a base formed from soil, a method of forming or repairing such a structure and to containment structures that surround a storage facility for storing a chemical compound or composition.