DESCRIPTION
Bentonite pellets are compressed tablets made from highly swelling sodium Bentonite and when placed forms a flexible, non-toxic impermeable seal. Bentonite pellets will swell approximately 10 – 15 times their dry state when hydrated with fresh water.
APPLICATIONS/FUNCTIONS
Bentonite pellets are used for the sealing of water, monitoring and piezometer wells. Bentonite pellets when properly located provide an impermeable flexible barrier between aquifers; they are also used to prevent contamination from surface water into the well. Bentonite pellets can also be used to backfill or abandon all types of bore holes or seal in surface casing. When exposed to fresh water Bentonite pellets will swell and expand to fill voids exerting pressure against all surfaces to create a flexible low permeability seal. Bentonite pellets does require any mix equipment and can simple be poured directly into place even through standing water without sticking together.
ADVANTAGES
- Clean; dust free
- Non-toxic and non-polluting
- Sealing off artesian flows
- No mixing or pumping equipment required
- Hole abandonment
- Cement isolation
- Used to help regain circulation
- Sealing casing
- Sealing piezometers
- Prevent infiltration of surface contamination
- Provide a flexible impermeable seal
RECOMMENDED TREATMENT
Prior to placement calculate the volume required and ensure the pellet size is appropriate for the application.
Slowly introduce pellets from the surface to minimize bridging. Bentonite pellets can also be channelled through a tremie line into place when necessary.
