Cryogels intended for plugging operations in hydraulic structures in northern and permafrost regions

The methods for the production of new cryogel forms, which are promising materials for the creation of antifiltration curtains in hydraulic structures located in northern and permafrost regions have been developed. The injection of cryogel solutions into the wells results in the formation of a gel screen that creates an antifiltration curtain strengthened under freezing- unfreezing. 

Cryogels are prepared from the solutions of polymers with the upper critical dissolution temperature containing electrolyte additives. One has selected optimal compositions of the systems forming gels at 0-20oC. Under cyclic freezing-unfreezing processes these gels are converted into cryogels exhibiting high elasticity and adhesion to rocks. The more freezing-unfreezing cycles a cryogel undergoes, the better its mechanical properties: strength, elasticity, and adhesion to rocks.

Cryogels represent an efficient plugging means, which significantly reduces water filtration in porous medium. They are harmless for humans and environmentally friendly. Cryogels may be prepared on-the-site and injected into the wells using conventional equipment.

Application Area:

- Creation of antifiltration curtains in hydraulic structures located in permafrost regions.

- Soil consolidation in northern and permafrost regions.

 Stage of Development and Place of Usage

In 2003 one performed an interval injection of 51 tons of the solution of cryogel-forming systems into 5 wells at the dam of Irelyakh hydrosystem (ALROSA Co. Ltd, Mirny, Yakutia) to plug the filtering body and the base of dam. This produced a screen measuring 15 m in length, about 3 m in thickness and 430 m2 in square, which created an antifiltration curtain.

 Russian patent pending.

 Commercial Offers:

Pilot tests and commercial application of technologies, license agreements; contracts; know-how transfer.

Professor Lyubov K. Altunina, Director of the Institute

Dr. Vladimir A. Kuvshinov

Institute of Petroleum Chemistry

3, Akademichesky Avenue, 634021,Tomsk, Russia

Phone: 7(382-2) 491-623, 491-146, 492-411, 491-621

Fax: 7(382-2) 491-457    E-mail: canc@ipc.tsc.ru & alk@ipc.tsc.ru      Internet: http://www.ipc.tsc.ru/