US6558081B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Composite particles and methods for their application and implementation
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 2001-11-12
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Granted: 2003-05-06
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Expires: 2021-11-12
Abstract
Abstract In a method of creating a seal in a subsurface environment, a plurality of manufactured composite particles are placed in the subsurface environment, the composite particles including a sealant material. The sealant material is hydrated to create a cohesive seal. In a method of controlling erosion of a periodically or continuously inundated surface, a plurality of manufactured composite particles are placed around erosion-control objects. The composite particles include a sealant material which is a cohesive, low-permeability material when hydrated. The sealant material physically stabilizes the erosion-control objects on the surface. The invention also relates to compositions and properties of the composite particles.
Inventors
- 👤 John H. Hull
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 14:19
CPC Classifications
E; E02; E02B; E02B3/00; E02B3/04; E02B3/12; E02B3/128; B; B09; B09C; B09C1/00; B09C1/02; B09C1/08; B09C1/10; B09C1/105; C; C04; C04B; C04B20/00; C04B20/10; C04B20/1055; C04B20/1074; E02D; E02D31/00; E21; E21B; E21B33/00; E21B33/10; E21B33/13; C04B2111/00; C04B2111/00474; C04B2111/00767; C04B2111/00775
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
59 words
A method of creating a seal in a subsurface environment comprising the steps of: placing a plurality of manufactured composite particles around a pipe in the subsurface environment to create a cohesive seal around the pipe, the composite particles including a sealant material that absorbs water to create the seal, and hydrating the sealant material to create the seal.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
59 words
A method of creating a seal in a subsurface environment comprising the steps of: placing a plurality of manufactured composite particles around a pipe in the subsurface environment to create a cohesive seal around the pipe, the composite particles including a sealant material that absorbs water to create the seal, and hydrating the sealant material to create the seal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the composite particles are used as a surrogate for anti-seepage collars.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
49 words
A method of controlling erosion of a periodically or continuously inundated surface comprising: placing a plurality of manufactured composite particles around erosion-control objects, the composite particles including a sealant material which is a cohesive, low-permeability material when hydrated; the sealant material physically stabilizing the erosion-control objects on the surface.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
49 words
A method of controlling erosion of a periodically or continuously inundated surface comprising: placing a plurality of manufactured composite particles around erosion-control objects, the composite particles including a sealant material which is a cohesive, low-permeability material when hydrated; the sealant material physically stabilizing the erosion-control objects on the surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 3 wherein the sealant material is applied between the erosion-control objects and the surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 4 wherein the sealant material provides increased adhesion between the erosion-control objects and the surface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 4 wherein exposed sealant material in void spaces between the erosion-control objects serves as habitat for at least one of plants and benthic organisms.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method according to claim 3 wherein the sealant material is applied between the erosion-control objects and a geotextile or geogrid component, the geotextile or geogrid component being placed directly on the surface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 7 wherein the sealant material provides increased adhesion between the erosion-control objects and the geotextile or geogrid component.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 3 wherein seepage losses of water through the sealant material are minimized.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
76 words
A method of applying a flowable material onto an underwater surface including contaminated sediments, the flowable material comprising a plurality of manufactured composite particles including a sealant material to form a sealant layer on the surface, the method comprising applying a thin layer of sand-sized material or other material over the surface prior to applying the composite particles to reduce sediment re-suspension upon particle impact, and to minimize penetration and settling of particles into the surface.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
76 words
A method of applying a flowable material onto an underwater surface including contaminated sediments, the flowable material comprising a plurality of manufactured composite particles including a sealant material to form a sealant layer on the surface, the method comprising applying a thin layer of sand-sized material or other material over the surface prior to applying the composite particles to reduce sediment re-suspension upon particle impact, and to minimize penetration and settling of particles into the surface.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
68 words
A flowable material comprising a plurality of manufactured composite particles, wherein each composite particle comprises: a core, and a sealant layer at least partially encapsulating the core, the sealant layer comprising sealant material capable of at least one of absorbing water, swelling, and reacting, wherein the core is less dense and softer than the sealant layer, and wherein the composite particle has a specific gravity greater than one.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
68 words
A flowable material comprising a plurality of manufactured composite particles, wherein each composite particle comprises: a core, and a sealant layer at least partially encapsulating the core, the sealant layer comprising sealant material capable of at least one of absorbing water, swelling, and reacting, wherein the core is less dense and softer than the sealant layer, and wherein the composite particle has a specific gravity greater than one.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
A material according to claim 11 wherein the core is comprised of perlite.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
106 words
A flowable material comprising a plurality of manufactured composite particles, wherein each composite particle comprises: a core, and a sealant layer at least partially encapsulating the core, the sealant layer comprising sealant material capable of at least one of absorbing water, swelling, and reacting, wherein the sealant layer comprises a combination of a clay mineral and other material comprised of quasi clay-sized particles, the quasi clay-sized particles having an average particle size of less than about 10 microns, wherein the material comprised of quasi clay-sized particles is at least one of zeolites; oxides or other forms of aluminum, iron and/or manganese; zero-valent iron; and humic substances.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
106 words
A flowable material comprising a plurality of manufactured composite particles, wherein each composite particle comprises: a core, and a sealant layer at least partially encapsulating the core, the sealant layer comprising sealant material capable of at least one of absorbing water, swelling, and reacting, wherein the sealant layer comprises a combination of a clay mineral and other material comprised of quasi clay-sized particles, the quasi clay-sized particles having an average particle size of less than about 10 microns, wherein the material comprised of quasi clay-sized particles is at least one of zeolites; oxides or other forms of aluminum, iron and/or manganese; zero-valent iron; and humic substances.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
68 words
A flowable material comprising a plurality of manufactured composite particles, wherein each composite particle comprises: a core, and a sealant layer at least partially encapsulating the core, the sealant layer comprising sealant material capable of at least one of absorbing water, swelling, and reacting, wherein the sealant layer comprises a combination of sand and at least one of a clay mineral and another material comprised of clay-sized particles.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
68 words
A flowable material comprising a plurality of manufactured composite particles, wherein each composite particle comprises: a core, and a sealant layer at least partially encapsulating the core, the sealant layer comprising sealant material capable of at least one of absorbing water, swelling, and reacting, wherein the sealant layer comprises a combination of sand and at least one of a clay mineral and another material comprised of clay-sized particles.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
A material according to claim 14 wherein the sand-sized material in the sealant layer is zero-valent iron.
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| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2006-05-05 | 2006-11-04 | 2007-05-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-05-05 | 2010-11-04 | 2011-05-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
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