Methods and system for subsurface stabilization using jet grouting
First Claim
1. A system for stabilizing or pretreating a subsurface area with minimal grout returns, comprising:
- (a) a mobile drilling apparatus including a hollow drill stem with a jet grouting nozzle at the distal end thereof;
(b) means for dispensing a grout material at high pressure into the hollow drill stem;
(c) means for withdrawing the drill stem at a predetermined rate of translation and rotation from a borehole formed in the subsurface area while injecting the grout material; and
(d) a thrust block structured to support the mobile drilling apparatus and having a plurality of holes therethrough which are sized to receive the drill stem.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and systems are provided for stabilizing a subsurface area such as a buried waste pit for either long term storage, or interim storage and retrieval. A plurality of holes are drilled into the subsurface area with a high pressure drilling system provided with a drill stem having jet grouting nozzles. A grouting material is injected at high pressure through the jet grouting nozzles into a formed hole while the drill stem is withdrawn from the hole at a predetermined rate of rotation and translation. A grout-filled column is thereby formed with minimal grout returns, which when overlapped with other adjacent grout-filled columns encapsulates and binds the entire waste pit area to form a subsurface agglomeration or monolith of grout, soil, and waste. The formed monolith stabilizes the buried waste site against subsidence while simultaneously providing a barrier against contaminate migration. The stabilized monolith can be left permanently in place or can be retrieved if desired by using appropriate excavation equipment. The jet grouting technique can also be utilized in a pretreatment approach prior to in situ vitrification of a buried waste site. The waste encapsulation methods and systems are applicable to buried waste materials such as mixed waste, hazardous waste, or radioactive waste.
68 Citations
36 Claims
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1. A system for stabilizing or pretreating a subsurface area with minimal grout returns, comprising:
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(a) a mobile drilling apparatus including a hollow drill stem with a jet grouting nozzle at the distal end thereof; (b) means for dispensing a grout material at high pressure into the hollow drill stem; (c) means for withdrawing the drill stem at a predetermined rate of translation and rotation from a borehole formed in the subsurface area while injecting the grout material; and (d) a thrust block structured to support the mobile drilling apparatus and having a plurality of holes therethrough which are sized to receive the drill stem. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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25. A system for stabilizing or pretreating a subsurface area with minimal grout returns, comprising:
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a thrust block placed over a predetermined location at a buried waste site, the thrust block having a plurality of holes therethrough; a jet grouting drilling system including a mobile drilling apparatus and a source of grout material, the drilling apparatus including a hollow drill stem with a jet nozzle at a distal end thereof, wherein the drill stem is inserted through a hole in the thrust block; a subsurface area containing waste material with a bore hole through the subsurface area; and grout material in the bore hole in the form of a grout-filled column. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28)
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Specification