Geothermal grout, and methods of preparing and utilizing same

Abstract

A thermally enhanced, single component, geothermal grout from recycled materials, such as class F fly ash and cement kiln dust. Additional components can include a mid-range water reducer and a dry caustic.

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         21 . A method of installing a geothermal heating system comprising:
 creating a bore hole in ground with said bore hole being located substantially in a Vadose Zone;   inserting at least one heat loop in said bore hole;   filling said bore hole with a grout material, including class F fly ash in a range of approximately 50-80% by weight of said grout material and cement kiln dust in a range of approximately 20-50% by weight of said grout material;   allowing said grout material to harden;   whereby said grout material has substantially reduced void spacing and provides significantly improved thermal conductivity between said at least one loop and ground in said Vadose Zone.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 mixing approximately five gallons of water with approximately 70 pounds of said grout material.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein said grout material further comprises a mid-range water reducer. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein said mid-range water reducer comprises a naphthalene. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein said mid-range water reducer comprises a lignin. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein said mid-range water reducer comprises a lingosulphonate. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising:
 adding said mid-range water reducer at a rate of approximately 0.1-8 fluid ounce equivalent per hundred-weight of dry grout mixture.   
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein said grout material further comprises a dry sodium hydroxide. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , further comprising:
 adding said dry sodium hydroxide at a rate of approximately 0.1-12 dry ounces per hundred weight of dry grout mixture.   
     
     
         30 . A method of providing an enhanced geothermal heating system comprising:
 creating a bore hole in ground with said bore hole being located substantially in a Vadose Zone;   inserting at least one loop in said bore hole that is intended to be in a heat exchange relationship with ground;   filling said bore hole with a grout material, including class F fly ash in a range of approximately 50-80% by weight of said grout material and cement kiln dust in a range of approximately 20-50% by weight of said grout material;   allowing said grout material to harden such that it encapsulates said at least one heat loop;   whereby when said grout material resists shrinkage as it hardens such that provides increased thermal conductivity between said at least one loop and ground through said grout material.   
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , further comprising:
 mixing approximately five gallons of water with approximately 70 pounds of said grout material.   
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 30 , where said grout material further comprises a mid-range water reducer. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein said mid-range water reducer comprises a naphthalene. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein said mid-range water reducer comprises a lignin. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein said mid-range water reducer comprises a lingosulphonate. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 32 , further comprising:
 adding said mid-range water reducer at a rate of approximately 0.1-8 fluid ounce equivalent per hundred-weight of dry grout mixture.   
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein said grout material further comprises a dry sodium hydroxide. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 37 , further comprising:
 adding said dry sodium hydroxide at a rate of approximately 0.1-12 dry ounces per hundred weight of dry grout mixture.