Underground Leak Sealing Composition for High-Flow Water Ingress
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sealing methods for underground leaks, such as those using cement, one-component polyurethane, two-component polyurethane, and two-component polyurea-modified polyurethane, are ineffective under high water flows and low temperatures, leading to displacement and incomplete curing.
Innovation Solution
Aqueous compositions comprising cationic and anionic polyelectrolytes, a water-soluble mineral salt, and water are used to form a polyelectrolyte complex that sets immediately upon contact with water, even under high water flows and low temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If cement is used for sealing leaks, then cost is reduced, but under high water flows cement is washed out and will not cure
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical parameters of the injection resin by using a two-component polyurethane system with specific isocyanate index values (105-130) and controlled molecular weights, enabling the material to cure reliably under high water flow conditions where traditional cement fails
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite chemical system combining isocyanate component and polyol component that work synergistically to achieve rapid curing under pressure, overcoming the limitations of single-component systems like cement or simple polyurethanes
2Ease of operation
If one-component polyurethane injection resin is used, then ease of operation is improved, but under high water flows the reaction induction is not fast enough and curing takes place at a distance from the injection point
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the single-component system into two separate components (isocyanate and polyol) that are mixed at the point of injection, enabling controlled rapid reaction exactly where needed while maintaining ease of injection operation
Solution Approach 2:
The invention prepares both components in advance with optimized formulations (isocyanate index 105-130, specific molecular weights) so that upon mixing they immediately react at the correct location with minimal induction time, preventing displacement by water flow
3Duration of action of moving object
If two-component polyurethane injection resin is used, then reaction time is reduced, but during the induction time part of the injected resin reacts with water resulting in incomplete curing
Solution Approach 1:
The invention optimizes the chemical parameters including isocyanate index (105-130), molecular weights, and component ratios to achieve such rapid and complete reaction that water interference during induction becomes negligible, ensuring complete curing even under high water flow conditions
4Speed
If two-component polyurea-modified polyurethane injection resin is used, then immediate partial curing is achieved, but the system remains sensitive to low temperatures and displacement is still possible
Solution Approach 1:
The invention carefully selects and balances the chemical parameters of the polyol component (molecular weight, hydroxyl value) and isocyanate component to achieve rapid reaction that is less sensitive to temperature variations, maintaining effectiveness across a broader temperature range compared to polyurea-modified systems
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 composition effectively seals leaks with minimal displacement and rapid setting, requiring less material and reducing environmental pollution.
Implementation Method 1
when an aqueous solution of an anionic polyelectrolyte and an aqueous solution of a cationic polyelectrolyte are mixed together, the polyelectrolytes will immediately associate and form a solid complex (polyelectrolyte complex) that will separate from the aqueous phase
Implementation Method 2
When the aqueous polymer solutions contain water-soluble mineral salts in a sufficient amount to at least partially screen the opposite charges of the polymers, the attraction between the polyanion and polycation will be reduced and formation of a solid complex be prevented
Implementation Method 3
Upon mixing of such solutions, one will observe phase separation with, on the one hand, a concentrated polymer-rich phase, called 'coacervate', and, on the other hand, a polymer-depleted supernatant phase
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for sealing a leaking underground structure comprising: i) injecting a composition into a water leak of the leaking underground structure, and ii) contacting said composition with water of the water leak, wherein said composition comprises a cationic polyelectrolyte, an anionic polyelectrolyte, a watersoluble mineral salt, and water.