A fluid composition for use in inflatable bag plugging of an earth bore hole

Abstract

A fluid composition for inflating a bag or bladder used in plugging earth drill or bore holes. The fluid composition comprises: a hydrocarbon gas or hydrocarbon gas blend; a carrier; and an emulsifier. In preferred embodiments the hydrocarbon gas comprises butane or propane; the carrier comprises water; and the emulsifier comprises a carbomer, such as a cross-linked polyacrylic polymer, and/or coconut diethanolamide. An aerosol dispenser may supply the fluid composition as foam to the bag.

1 . A fluid composition comprising a hydrocarbon gas or hydrocarbon gas blend, a carrier and an emulsifier. 
     
     
         2 . A fluid composition according to  claim 1  wherein the hydrocarbon gas or hydrocarbon gas blend comprises butane or propane, or a blend thereof. 
     
     
         3 . A fluid composition according to  claim 1  or  claim 2  wherein the carrier is suitable for the hydrocarbon gas or hydrocarbon gas blend to be dissolved therein. 
     
     
         4 . A fluid composition according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the carrier comprises water or a dilute aqueous solution. 
     
     
         5 . A fluid composition according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the hydrocarbon gas or hydrocarbon gas blend together comprise up to 99.9% of the fluid composition, and the emulsifier comprises up to 10% of the composition. 
     
     
         6 . A fluid composition according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the fluid composition further comprises an alcohol or blend of alcohols or acetone in amount of up to 10% of the fluid composition. 
     
     
         7 . A fluid composition according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the emulsifier comprises one or both of a carbomer or coconut diethanolamide. 
     
     
         8 . A fluid composition according to  claim 7  wherein the carbomer and coconut diethanolamide together comprise about 10.5% of the fluid composition. 
     
     
         9 . An aerosol dispenser containing a fluid composition comprising a hydrocarbon gas or, hydrocarbon gas blend, a carrier and an emulsifier, the aerosol dispenser further containing a propellant. 
     
     
         10 . Mi aerosol dispenser according to  claim 9  wherein the fluid composition is a fluid composition according to any one of  claims 1  to  8 . 
     
     
         11 . An aerosol dispenser according to  claim 9  or  claim 10  wherein the propellant comprises a hydrocarbon or blend of hydrocarbons, air, nitrogen, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         12 . An aerosol dispenser according to any one of  claims 9  to  11  wherein the aerosol dispenser is adapted to house a pressurized fluid. 
     
     
         13 . An aerosol dispenser according to any one of  claims 9  to  12  wherein the ratio of components in the fluid composition is such that, as the fluid composition is dispensed from the aerosol dispenser, the fluid composition forms a foam. 
     
     
         14 . A system for plugging a drill hole or bore hole, the system comprising:
 an inflatable container, and   an aerosol dispenser located within the inflatable container and containing a fluid composition comprising a hydrocarbon gas or hydrocarbon gas blend, a carrier and an emulsifier,   wherein upon activation, the aerosol dispenser dispenses the fluid composition to cause inflation of the inflatable container.   
     
     
         15 . A system according to  claim 14  wherein the inflatable container is fabricated from a resilient, substantially leak-proof material. 
     
     
         16 . A system according to  claim 14  or  claim 15  wherein the inflatable container is fabricated from HDPE. 
     
     
         17 . A system according to any one of  claims 14  to  16  wherein the aerosol dispenser is the aerosol dispenser of any one of  claims 9  to  13  and the fluid composition is the fluid composition of any one of  claims 1  to  8 . 
     
     
         18 . A method of plugging a drill hole or bole hole comprising the steps of:
 a) providing an inflatable container including an aerosol dispenser containing a fluid composition comprising a hydrocarbon gas or hydrocarbon gas blend, a carrier and an emulsifier;   b) at least partially inserting the inflatable container into a drill hole or bore hole;   c) activating the aerosol dispenser to cause inflation of the inflatable container.   
     
     
         19 . A method according to  claim 18  wherein the inflatable container is fabricated from a resilient, substantially leak-proof material. 
     
     
         20 . A method according to  claim 18  or  claim 19  wherein the aerosol dispenser is the aerosol dispenser of any one of  claims 9  to  13  and the fluid composition is the fluid composition of any one of  claims 1  to  8 .