Chemical Method and Composition for Soil Improvement

Abstract

A composition for chemical soil improvement includes a synthetic fluid, a pour point depressant, polyisobutylene, and synthetic fibers, and various combinations thereof, used to create a locking mechanism for fine particles.

Having thus described the invention, it is now claimed: 
     
         1 . A method for controlling fine particles, the method comprising the steps of:
 applying a composition to fine particles, the composition comprising a synthetic fluid, a binder, and synthetic fibers; and,   locking the fine particles in place with the composition.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the synthetic fluid is synthetic isoalkane, and the synthetic isoalkane is about 50% to about 95% by weight. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the binder is chosen from the group comprising a carboxylic acid, an ester, and a thermoplastic polyolefin. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the thermoplastic polyolefin is chosen from the group comprising: polyethylene, polypropylene, polybutene, polyisobutylene, polyisoprene, and their copolymers. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the synthetic fibers are polypropylene, are about one-quarter inch to about three inches in length, and are chosen from the group comprising standard tape fibers, fibrillated fibers, and decomposing fibers. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition further comprises a pour point depressant, wherein the pour point depressant is chosen from the group comprising acrylic, acrylic copolymers, polymethacrylate, ethylene vinyl acetate copolymers, alkyl esters of unsaturated carboxylic acids, alkyl phenols, alpha olefin copolymers, and polyalkylmethacrylate. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein synthetic fluid is synthetic isoalkane and the synthetic isoalkane is about 80% to about 95% by weight of a mixture of the synthetic isoalkane and the binder. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the binder is chosen from the group comprising a carboxylic acid, an ester, polyisobutylene, and a thermoplastic polyolefin. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the composition further comprises an emulsifier. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the synthetic fibers are polypropylene, are about one-quarter inch to about three inches in length, and are chosen from the group comprising standard tape fibers, fibrillated fibers, and decomposing fibers. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the synthetic fluid meets EPA standards for offshore drilling. 
     
     
         12 . A method for controlling fine particles, the method comprising the steps of:
 applying a composition to fine particles, the composition comprising a synthetic fluid, a biodegradable material, and synthetic fibers; and,   locking the fine particles in place with the composition.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the synthetic fluid is synthetic isoalkane, and the synthetic isoalkane is about 50% to about 95% by weight of a mixture of the synthetic isoalkane and the biodegradable material. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the biodegradable material is chosen from a group comprising biodiesel and glycerin. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the composition further comprises a binder. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the binder is chosen from the group comprising a carboxylic acid, an ester, polyisobutylene, and a thermoplastic polyolefin. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the composition further comprises an emulsifier.