Lubricated soil mixing systems and methods

Abstract

Described herein are tools, systems and methods for conditioning, strengthening and/or improving in situ soil geotechnical or agricultural properties while at least temporarily reducing soil density, energy requirements and tool wear.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A system for improving soil comprising a carrier, a soil mixing tool, at least one tool advance additive, and at least one colloidal binding or impermeable material system. 
     
     
         2 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one tool advance additive comprises an industrial foam, a polymer, an anti claying agent, an anti clogging agent, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein soil mixing tool comprises a chassis with at least one of a cutting wheel, a bit, a drill tool, a chain, or a drum. 
     
     
         4 . The system according to  claim 3 , wherein the chassis is circumferentially surrounded by at least one revolving chain, wherein the at least one revolving chain includes at least one ground engaging element holder. 
     
     
         5 . The system according to  claim 3 , including at least two terminating cutting wheels. 
     
     
         6 . The system according to  claim 3 , wherein the chassis further comprises at least one nozzle. 
     
     
         7 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the nozzle is configured to eject the at least one tool advance additive or the at least one colloidal binding or impermeable or agricultural soil amendment material system. 
     
     
         8 . A method for creating an improved soil in a column or trench comprising:
 demoulding soil using a soil mixing tool while concurrently ejecting at least one tool advance additive from at least one nozzle associated with the soil mixing tool into the soil and mixing the soil with the at least one tool advance additive thereby creating a improved soil column or trench.   
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 8 , further comprising extracting the soil mixing tool while ejecting and mixing at least one binding material with the conditioned soil thereby creating strengthened bound soil. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the at least one binding material is impermeable thereby creating an impermeable column or trench. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the extracting is performed at a constant rate. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 8 , further comprising extracting the soil mixing tool while ejecting and mixing at least one soil amending or enhancing slurry with the conditioned soil thereby creating enriched soil. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein the at least one soil enhancing slurry includes organic or inorganic soil amendments or both such as: gypsum, mulch, fertilizer, soil nutrients, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein the soil mixing tool comprises a chassis circumferentially surrounded by at least one revolving chain, wherein the at least one revolving chain includes at least one ground engaging element holder. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein the soil mixing tool comprises a chassis terminated with at least two cutting wheels. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein the at least one tool advance additive comprises at least one of an industrial soil conditioning foam, a soil conditioning polymer, an anti-clay anti clogging agent, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the at least one tool advance additive is an industrial soil conditioning foam. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the at least one binding material is a colloidal system comprising slurry, pulverulent containing phyllosilicates, granulated ground blast furnace slag, cement, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         19 . A system for improving soil comprising a carrier, a soil mixing tool having a chassis including two axles driving a revolving chain fitted with ground engaging blades and wear teeth, at least one tool advance additive, and at least one colloidal binding or impermeable or agricultural soil amending material system. 
     
     
         20 . A soil mixing tool comprising:
 at least one motor driven axle including at least one drum comprising soil modifying teeth, wherein the at least one motor driven axel is configured to drive sprockets and chains including cutting blades; and at least one nozzle configured to expel at least one TAA.