Amcol International Corporation

Marek R Mosiewicz

Thomas W Beihoffer

Michael Stephen Donovan

Nataliya V Larionova

Gary W Beall

Semeon J Tsipursky

Michael Donovan

Don D Eisenhour

Jason M Logsdon

Geocomposite articles that can provide a barrier against high conductivity water e.g., ocean water, are described and their method of manufacture, for waterproofing surfaces that contact high conductivity water. The geocomposite article mat includes a woven or non-woven geotextile sheet or mat containing a powdered or granular partially cross-linked acrylamide/acrylate/acrylic acid copolymer across its entire major surface(s). The powdered or granular copolymer has an unexpectedly high free-swell when hydrated with High Conductivity water, such as ocean water. A liquid-impermeable cover sheet is adhered to the upper major surfaces of the filled copolymer-carrying geotextile to provide a primary high conductivity water barrier layer that, if ruptured, is sealed by the swell of an underlying layer of water-insoluble, partially cross-linked acrylamide/acrylic acid copolymer.

Self healing salt water barrier

The compositions, articles and methods described herein remain intact for sealing between and around structures that contact salt water. The compositions include: (i) a partially cross-linked polyacrylamide/partially neutralized polyacrylic acid copolymer; (ii) a smectite clay; (iii) an elastomer, e.g., butyl rubber; (iv) a polyolefin polymer or copolymer; and (v) a cationic flocculant, the compositions have exceptional and unexpected free swell and cohesiveness when in contact with high conductivity water or multivalent ion-containing-contaminated water. The articles of manufacture described herein all include a combination of (i) a partially cross-linked acrylamide/acrylate/acrylic acid copolymer; (ii) a smectite clay; (iii) an elastomer, e.g., butyl rubber; (iv) polyisobutene or polyisopropene; and (v) a cationic flocculent, and are used for waterproofing against high conductivity salt-containing water preferably when used in putty-like or paste-like consistency to fill areas between and around structures, e.g., to surround a pipe inserted in a concrete wall, or to seal between two concrete sections.

Salt water swellable compositions and articles

A hydrothermal reaction which dissolves the amorphous silica and the crystalline silica impurities contained in a recovered, naturally occurring montmorillonite clay, and subsequently converts the dissolved silicas into a dioctahedral and/or trioctahedil smectite clay. The dissolution of silica is accomplished by adjusting the pH of an aqueous slurry of the recovered clay to a value of about 8.5 to about 10.0, preferably about 9.0 to about 9.5, at a temperature of at least about 150.degree. C., preferably about 180.degree. C. to about 250.degree. C., more preferably about 190.degree. C. to about 235.degree. C. Dissolved silica reacts with stoichiometric amounts of aluminum and/or magnesium and/or sodium added to the slurry, while at a temperature of at least about 150.degree. C., preferably about 185.degree. C. to about 250.degree. C., and at a pressure of at least about 200 bars, to synthesize a dioctahedral smectite clay from the dissolved silica; or the dissolved silica reacts with stoichiometric amounts of lithium and/or magnesium and/or sodium added to the slurry, at the same conditions, to form a trioctahedral smectite clay.

Process for purifying clay by the hydrothermal conversion of silica

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Chicago, IL, United States of America

Marek R Mosiewicz