Complete fill of the annular space can be achieved, and bridging of the particles in the upper hole is minimized. Complete fill of the annular space is necessary to form an effective, long-term plug in compliance with environmental regulatory requirements.

Hole Plug is available in two particle size grades:

Hole Plug 3/4" (100% of particles pass through 3/4" screen; all particles retained on 3/8" screen)

Hole Plug 3/8" (100% of particles pass through 3/8" screen; all particles retained on 1/4" screen)

Applications/Functions

• Viscosify water-based drilling fluids
• Reduce water seepage or filtration into permeable formations
• Form a thin filter cake with low permeability
• Improves hole cleaning capabilities
• Promote hole stability in poorly consolidated formations 

Advantages

• Provides suspension of drilled cuttings
• Can be added directly to fresh water or freshwater drilling fluids
• Easy to mix
• Economical 

Typical Properties

• Appearance - Variable-colored powder (gray to tan)
• Bulk density - lb/ft368 to 72 (as packaged) 

Recommended Treatment

• Mix slowly through a jet mixer or sift slowly into the vortex of a high-speed stirrer.

Packaging

AQUAGEL is packaged 100-lb (45.4 kg) multiwall paper bags. Special export packaging containing 25 kilograms is also available. 

Applications/Functions

• Seal or grout plastic or steel casings in monitor and water well construction
• Seal or plug any earthen borehole
• Seal leaking ponds, ditches and dams
• Soil stabilization
• Prepare BENSEAL/EZ-MUD® grouting systems
• Prepare a dry grout of BENSEAL and sand, one-to-one ratio by volume, admixture 

Advantages

• High swelling capacity to create a tight seal
• Granular, dust free, single-sack product
• No heat of hydration
• Prevents commingling of aquifers and contamination from surface
• Forms a flexible seal to protect casing from corrosive contaminants
• Allows for hole re-entry 

Typical Properties

• Appearance - Bluish to gray granules
• Dry screen analysis - 85% of 8 mesh
• Bulk density, lb/ft3 - 73.4 (as packaged)
• Moisture, % - 8 to 10
• Specific gravity - 2.6
• Permeability - less than 1 x 10-8 cm/sec (in fresh water) 

Recommended Treatment

As a casing drill and drive operation:

• Dig a cone-shaped depression around casing. Depression should be 6 - 8 inches (152-203 mm) larger than the outside diameter of the casing and 2 - 3 feet (60-75 cm) deep.
• Keep cone-shaped depression filled with dry BENSEAL while driving the casing.

Note:
When drilling and driving a 4" (102mm) pipe, expect to use 2.5 pounds of BENSEAL per foot of hole or 3.7 kilograms of BENSEAL per meter of hole.

BENSEAL/sand grout:

• Combine BENSEAL and sand in a ratio of one-to-one by volume. Mix well.
• This mixture can be poured from the top into holes not over 100 feet (30.5 meters) deep, and through 50 feet (15.3 meters) or less of standing water in the hole.

BENSEAL/sand is often used to set shallow casing, heat-pumps, etc.

Note: Sand particle size should be approximately equal to BENSEAL.

Sealing earthen structures:

• Work BENSEAL into the top six inches (152 mm) of soil and compact it, completely covering the area which will be under water.

Normal treatment is between 3 to 5 pounds per square foot (14.5 - 24.5 kg/m2), depending on the type of soil. If the leaking area can be identified and isolated, an attempt can be made to broadcast BENSEAL uniformly into the water over the area in question.

Lost returns (moderate):

• Begin with the pit full of mud or water.
• Raise pump suction off bottom and place a shovel next to it and slightly under suction.
• Pour dry BENSEAL slowly into the space between shovel and suction.
  Pump it down the hole.
• Note:
  This product has been certified by the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) to contribute no adverse health problems when used as the manufacturer recommends for the construction of potable water wells. 

Packaging

BENSEAL is packaged in 50-lb (22.7 kg) multiwall paper bags, containing 0.7 ft3 (0.02 m3).