Pq Corporation

Byk USA Inc.

Byk-chemie Gmbh

Kelly Paul Short

Michael James McDonald

Flavio Ernesto Ribeiro

Kenneth A Berg

Xianglian Li

Jim Moran

Daoping Guo

Brett Howard Cramer

Peter Marinescu

A method and composition are provided for backfilling the annular gap created as a tunnel boring machine advances through the ground. The fill material is comprised of two components that are combined and mixed together just prior to entering the annular gap. The first component is non-cement slurry consisting of a fluidized bed combustion ash such as coal ash. The second component consists of an alkali silicate such as sodium silicate. Additionally, ordinary Portland cement and/or metakaolin can be added to the grout composition.

Sustainable two-component annular grout composition and method for use with a tunnel-boring machine

Compositions and methods are disclosed for sealing subterranean spaces such as natural or induced fractures, vugs or annular spaces. The composition is composed of a base fluid consisting of a soluble alkali silicate, a gas generating additive, water, solids, and a setting agent. The gas generating additive may be coated or uncoated. The gas generating additive may also be in the form of a slurry. In the case of coated additives, the coating may act as a retarder or an accelerator to the expansion and setting agent of the soluble alkali silica. Similarly, the choice of carrier fluid in a slurry may retard or accelerate the expansion and setting of the alkali silicate-based plug.

Self-pressurizing soluble alkali silicate for use in sealing subterranean spaces

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O'Fallon, MO, United States of America

Kelly Paul Short