| abstract |
A fluid gelable composition, which sets autonomously to a waterswellable resilient solid, comprising: A. a sufficiently water-soluble salt of a selected, metal in a specified minimum amount; B. water in an amount sufficient to make 100 parts by weight of water and said salt; C. a selected water-dispersible synthetic polymer in an amount sufficient to yield a gel with said brine, said gel being as in ASTM D 555-58 and method of use of said composition to provide a fluidtight seal in underground passageways including the space between the exposed face of a geologic formation and a well casing, tunnel, shaft, or retaining wall. |