Process for forming borehole plugs

Claim 2

A process for forming borehole plugs comprising: introducing into a borehole and positioning in the borehole an aqueous dispersion comprising a water soluble polymer selected from the group consisting of polygalactomannans, carboxyalkyl ethers of polygalactomannans, hydroxyalkyl ethers of polygalactomannans in amounts of from about 1% to 3% by weight based on the weight of the water-polymer combination, depolymerized derivatives of polygalactomannan, carboxyalkyl ether of polygalactomannan, hydroxyalkyl ether of polygalactomannan in amounts of about 2% to 4% by weight based on the weight of the water-polymer combination, and a cross linking agent selected from sodium or potassium pyroantimonate, said aqueous dispersion having a low initial viscosity and said aqueous dispersion having a pH range of about 6 to 7, whereby the rate of cross linking activity is such that the period of time between the introduction of the dispersion into the borehole and the development of viscosities in excess of about 20,000 centipoise is greater than the time between the introduction of the aqueous dispersion into the borehole and the positioning of the aqueous dispersion; and allowing the viscosity of the dispersion to exceed about 20,000 centipoise subsequent to the positioning of the aqueous dispersion.

Claim 3

A process for forming borehole plugs comprising: introducing into a borehole and positioning in the borehole an aqueous dispersion comprising a water soluble polymer selected from the group consisting of polygalactomannans, carboxyalkyl ethers of polygalactomannans, hydroxyalkyl ethers of polygalactomannans in amounts of from about 1% to 3% by weight based on the weight of the water-polymer combination, depolymerized derivatives of polygalactomannan, carboxyalkyl ether of polygalactomannan, hydroxyalkyl ether of polygalactomannan in amounts of about 2% to 4% by weight based on the weight of the water-polymer combination, and antimony oxide in the presence of a weak oxidizing agent, said aqueous dispersion having a low initial viscosity, and the rate of cross linking activity being such that the period of time between the introduction of the dispersion into the borehole and the development of viscosities in excess of about 20,000 centipOise is greater than the time between the introduction of the aqueous dispersion into the borehole and the positioning of the aqueous dispersion; and allowing the viscosity of the dispersion to exceed about 20,000 centipoise subsequent to the positioning of the aqueous dispersion.

Claim 4

A process for forming borehole plugs comprising: introducing into a borehole and positioning in the borehole an aqueous dispersion comprising polyvinyl alcohol in amounts of from about 1% to 10% by weight based on the weight of the water-polymer combination and mixtures thereof, and borax glass, said aqueous dispersion having a low initial viscosity, and the rate of cross linking activity being such that the period of time between the introduction of the dispersion into the borehole and the development of viscosities in excess of about 20,000 centipoise is greater than the time between the introduction of the aqueous dispersion into the borehole and the positioning of the aqueous dispersion; and allowing the viscosity of the dispersion to exceed about 20,000 centipoise subsequent to the positioning of the aqueous dispersion.

Claim 5

A process for forming borehole plugs comprising: introducing into a borehole and positioning in the borehole an aqueous dispersion comprising a water soluble polymer selected from the group consisting of carboxyalkyl ethers of polygalactomannans and hydroxyalkyl ethers of polygalactomannans in amounts of from about 1% to 3% by weight based on the weight of the water-polymer combination, depolymerized derivatives of carboxyalkyl ether of polygalactomannan, and hydroxyalkyl ether of polygalactomannan in amounts of about 2% to 4% by weight based on the weight of the water-polymer combination, and borax glass, said aqueous dispersion having a low initial viscosity and the rate of cross linking activity being such that the period of time between the introduction of the dispersion into the borehole and the development of viscosities in excess of about 20,000 centipoise is greater than the time between the introduction of the aqueous dispersion into the borehole and the positioning of the aqueous dispersion; and allowing the viscosity of the dispersion to exceed about 20,000 centipoise subsequent to the positioning of the aqueous dispersion.