US4439062A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sealing system and method for sealing earthen containers
Assignee: Amcol International Corp
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Filing: 1981-12-21
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Granted: 1984-03-27
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Expires: 2001-12-21
Abstract
Abstract A sealing system for an earthen container such as a pit, lagoon, land fill or the like for storing waste materials includes an outer seal layer formed by mixing a water expandable colloidal clay, such as bentonite with the soil of the pit. A middle or intermediate layer is defined by a layer of granular fill material placed on the first layer. An inner seal layer is formed by mixing water expandable colloidal clay, such as bentonite with the upper surface of the granular fill layer. A source of pressurized clean fluid is in communication with the granular fill layer to develop pressure therein and prevent leakage through the inner seal layer. Level sensing apparatus for sensing the level of waste and clean fluids may be included and apparatus for detecting leakage may also be included.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert P. Kingsbury
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 02:02
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D90/00; B65D90/22; B65D90/24; E; E02; E02B; E02B3/00; E02B3/16; E02D; E02D31/00; E02D31/002; E02D31/004
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
103 words
A method for sealing an earthen container to prevent fluid seepage into surrounding soil, comprising: disposing a layer comprising water expandable colloidal clay onto soil to form an outer seal, disposing a layer of granular fill material on said lower seal, disposing a layer comprising water expandable colloidal clay onto an upper surface of said granular fill material to form an inner seal, and introducing a fluid into said layer of granular fill material, between said upper and lower seals to provide a positive pressure between said upper and lower seals greater than the pressure on an upper surface of said upper seal.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
103 words
A method for sealing an earthen container to prevent fluid seepage into surrounding soil, comprising: disposing a layer comprising water expandable colloidal clay onto soil to form an outer seal, disposing a layer of granular fill material on said lower seal, disposing a layer comprising water expandable colloidal clay onto an upper surface of said granular fill material to form an inner seal, and introducing a fluid into said layer of granular fill material, between said upper and lower seals to provide a positive pressure between said upper and lower seals greater than the pressure on an upper surface of said upper seal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method set forth in claim 1 wherein said water expandable colloidal clay is bentonite.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method set forth in claim 1 further comprising means for sensing the relative levels of fluid in said container and in said layer of granular material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method set forth in claim 1 further comprising extracting fluid from said layer of granular fill, and sampling the extracted fluid for traces of said fluid in said container.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method set forth in claim 1 wherein said fluid floods said granular fill pressure into said layer of granular fill material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said inner and outer seals comprise 8-35% by weight water expandable colloidal clay.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
105 words
A method for storing waste materials in an earthen pit to prevent fluid seepage into ground water, comprising, forming a first seal by disposing a layer comprising water expandable colloidal clay onto the soil of said pit to form an outer seal; disposing a layer of granular fill material on said outer seal; disposing a layer comprising water expandable colloidal clay onto an upper surface of said layer of granular fill material to form an inner seal; and flooding said layer of granular fill material with a fluid at a level greater than a level of fluid contacting an inner surface of said inner seal.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
105 words
A method for storing waste materials in an earthen pit to prevent fluid seepage into ground water, comprising, forming a first seal by disposing a layer comprising water expandable colloidal clay onto the soil of said pit to form an outer seal; disposing a layer of granular fill material on said outer seal; disposing a layer comprising water expandable colloidal clay onto an upper surface of said layer of granular fill material to form an inner seal; and flooding said layer of granular fill material with a fluid at a level greater than a level of fluid contacting an inner surface of said inner seal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method claimed in claim 7 further comprising extracting a portion of said fluid from said granular fill material so that said extracted fluid can be tested to determine leakage through said inner seal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method claimed in claim 7 further including sensing the level of waste fluid in said pit and in said granular fill layer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method claimed in claim 7 wherein said water expandable colloidal clay comprises Bentonite.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
88 words
A sealing system for an earthen storage pit for storing waste materials comprising: a first layer comprising water expandable colloidal clay disposed on the soil of said pit, a second layer comprising granular fill material disposed on said first layer, a third layer comprising water expandable colloidal clay disposed on an upper surface of said second layer, and means for communicating said second layer with a source of fluid for flooding said second layer to a depth greater than a depth of waste fluid above said third layer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
88 words
A sealing system for an earthen storage pit for storing waste materials comprising: a first layer comprising water expandable colloidal clay disposed on the soil of said pit, a second layer comprising granular fill material disposed on said first layer, a third layer comprising water expandable colloidal clay disposed on an upper surface of said second layer, and means for communicating said second layer with a source of fluid for flooding said second layer to a depth greater than a depth of waste fluid above said third layer.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
The sealing system set forth in claim 11 wherein said water expandable colloidal clay comprises bentonite.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
The sealing system of claim 11 further comprising means for sampling clean fluid from said second layer for leakage of said waste fluids through said third layer.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
The sealing system of claim 11 further comprising means for sensing the level of said clean fluid relative to the level of said waste fluid.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
The sealing system of claim 11 wherein said first and third layers comprise 8-35% by weight water expandable colloidal clay.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-03-27 | 1987-09-26 | 1988-03-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-03-27 | 1991-09-26 | 1992-03-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-03-27 | 1995-09-26 | 1996-03-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |