초록 ▼

A method for pneumatically fracturing a soil formation, and thereafter utilizing or maintaining the fracture network thus formed by continuous injection of a gas stream into the fracture network, and introducing into that gas stream dry media which is entrained in the gas stream and thereby disperse

A method for pneumatically fracturing a soil formation, and thereafter utilizing or maintaining the fracture network thus formed by continuous injection of a gas stream into the fracture network, and introducing into that gas stream dry media which is entrained in the gas stream and thereby dispersed and distributed through the soil formation in substantially predictable or predetermined patterns, is described. The fracture network and/or the dry media contained therein create or enhance usefulness for a given purpose with respect to the soil formation. The method utilizes novel apparatus, especially high velocity nozzles which are substantially planar or directional and can be used in combination with the borehole casing to achieve a variety of fracturing and dry media injection effects.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A method for pneumatically injecting substantially dry media into a soil formation, comprising:a) pneumatically fracturing said soil formation, comprising:i) inserting a tubular probe partially into the soil formation such that at least one orifice of a nozzle fluidly con

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A method for pneumatically injecting substantially dry media into a soil formation, comprising:a) pneumatically fracturing said soil formation, comprising:i) inserting a tubular probe partially into the soil formation such that at least one orifice of a nozzle fluidly connected with said tubular probe is positioned at a predetermined height; andii) supplying a pressurized gas on a continuous basis into said tubular probe such that the resulting pressurized gas stream travels through said at least one orifice into said soil to produce a fracture network in said soil formation;b) preserving said fracture network in a dilated state or otherwise thereafter utilizing said fracture network, by maintaining continuous injection of said gas;c) introducing substantially dry media into said gas stream, optionally from a pressurized supply of said dry media, while maintaining the gas to media ratio in the range of from about 100 to 1 to about 10,000 to 1 on a volume to volume basis, in order to assure adequate dispersion and distribution of the dry media through the soil formation in predetermined patterns;d) continuing injection of said dry media into said fracture network until the desired amount and predetermined distribution pattern for said dry media have been achieved; ande) as desired or necessary, repeating steps a) through d) on a sequential basis in order to treat additional portions of said soil formation.