B.R.S. Construction Inc.
PENE-GROUTÆ
An Expansive, Adhesive, Water-Reactive
Water-Barrier Hydrogel
Link to Material Specifications | Link to Physical Characteristics
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What Is It?
What Does
It Do?
How Does
It Work?
Where Is
It Used?
How Is
It Installed?
Is It
Versatile?
How Does It Compare With
Other Systems?
Is It
Durable?
Is It Safe?
Is It
Economical?
Is It Unique?
Who
Installs It?
Is It
Warranted?
Are
There Limitations?
PENE-GROUTÆ is a series of low viscosity liquids which react with water (still or active) in a predictable. controlled manner to form expansive, resilient. adhesive solids in densities and strengths appropriate to the designated tasks. PENE-GROUTÆ is a single-component liquid urethane prepolymer which is turbulently combined with water through static mixing or forceful injection pressures in a confined space, creating a mixture exhibiting a gradual increase in viscosity with final gellation wherein the water is chemically linked and encapsulated in a permanent resilient hydrogel.
PENE-GROUTÆ injected under pressure through or into leaking structures forms a water barrier. Or, mixed with contaminated water or toxic water, forms a permanent encapsulating solid.
PENE-GROUTÆ's viscosity is lowered upon mixing with water, so it flows freely but its ability to react is not diluted. The reaction of the prepolymer with the water commences slowly as polymerization occurs between its isocyanate radicals and the water producing amine and carbonic acid gas which expand the reacting liquid gel forcing it into the surrounding body and blocking adjacent water. The gellation process accelerates rapidly producing a cross-linked urea compound which is insoluable in water. This permanent three-dimensional hydrogel adheres tenaciously to surrounding surfaces and resists displacement by moving water to form a viable water barrier.
PENE-GROUTÆ can generally be used with great effectiveness in any instance where conventional chemical grouting is considered. Additionally, it will perform under sever conditions of moving water and/or where great strength is required and other Systems are not feasible. Suggested areas of use include:
In New and Remedial Building Construction:
… To prevent water from leaking into structures through cracks, construction joints, unshielded electrical and plumbing penetrations, cold joints, and construction transitions where the original waterproofing system is inadequate or fracture has occurred due to building movement.
… For solidification of water entrapped in and under leaking roof Systems (in or around rigid roof insulation).
… For solidification of water entrapped, standing and seeping from between slab membranes (on structures or below grade).
… To close water leaking through temporary shoring and soldier piles during foundation construction.
… To serve as a water barrier sealer or liner in concrete structures.
… To prevent water from leaking or oozing from ground and piping in excavations.
… To stop seepage or leakage into elevator and service pits.
In Public Works:
… To prevent leakage in tunnels during construction (seepage and leakage through bedrock, cracks in tunnel liners, cold joints. expansion joints, monolyth joints, etc.)
… To prevent leakage from rock and gravel through solidification.
… To prevent leakage through dam faces at cracks, monolyth joints, fixtures, construction joints, etc.
… To prevent leakage at dam abutments (concrete/ rock joints, fissures or cracks in the adjoining face, seepage under footings, etc.)
… To seal monolyth joints in locks and weirs.
… To prevent leakage and seepage from cracks, joints and structures in canals and reservoirs.
… To solidify and to create a water barrier in rock and Earth fill dams.
… To prevent piping at the cutting edge in caisson construction.
… To prevent air from leaking at the compressed air shield in caisson construction.
… To prevent undercutting at bridge abutments from leaking water.
… To fill voids and leaks in sand bag diking.
… To solidify chemical waste compounds.
… To solidify sewage.
… To solidify industrial waste water containing sludge.
… To solidify atomic wastewater and noxious metal waste.
PENE-GROUTÆ is generally pumped as a single component through high volume conventional pumps on large projects and through low pressure, hand-operated pumps (PENE-PUMPÆ). On limited applications, it is pumped through or into the structure via material hoses fitted with probes of an appropriate length; the probes are sealed against leakage from back pressure with a fast setting surface grout (PENE-STOPÆ) when necessary.
In some instances the probes are moved during the injection of PENE-GROUTÆ to assure the proper treatment of a large area; special expandable packing seals may be used in this requirement. When water is not present in sufficient quantity to assure the desired reaction, a two-part system is employed. Water and PENE-GROUTÆ are proportioned at the desired ratio from two separate pumps through material hoses to a static mixing chamber before introduction into the target area. This, essentially, is the method employed in the solidification of various waste materials, with the reactants being pumped into disposal containers.
PENE-GROUTÆ reacts with all forms of water ranging in pH readings from low to high, and in low solids water to fully saturated. In short, it will create a viable hydrogel with many electrolyte solutions and solutions containing dissolved organic compounds, as well as with corrosive solutions including solutions of salts, such as brine, sea water, sodium carbonate, phosphates, oxalates, and phthalates, and with solutions of strong acids such as sulfuric and formic, and with strong bases such as sodium hydroxide and calcium hydroxide.
It has low viscosity which allows its usage in cold environs. It will not freeze in storage to 330F. It will react with water at this temperature (although the reaction is slowed) to form a viable hydrogel.
It is capable of forming an uniform hydrogel with warm water. It is capable of forming a uniform hydrogel that is stable at extremely low concentration (96 parts water to 4 parts PENE-GROUTÆ).
Even in low concentrations the hydrogel is extremely stable in storage, showing no separation or decomposition. Therefore, it may be successfully used to solidify sludges removed from organic and inorganic waste dumps, as well as the liquid wastes released by breweries, paper mills, dye works, tanneries, slaughter houses, and the petroleum industry; solutions of radioactive matter and noxious metals may be solidified in this hydrogel to prevent them from being scattered upon damage to their containers.
How Does It Compare With Other Systems?
PENE-GROUTÆ differs from other chemical grouts in five major attributes; it is a single component system. it is non-toxic, it is compatible with water, it is flexible, and it is adhesive.
Firstly, since water is generally present at the site, special mixing is usually not required. The prepolymer contains all of the reactive ingredients in itself, so no catalysts, fillers, accelerators or extenders are generally needed to complete the water solidification; it need only be injected forcefully into a wet or saturated area.
Secondly, PENE-GROUTÆ has little toxicity (see below). Thirdly, PENE-GROUTÆ is compatible with water unlike other chemical systems which are attacked, diluted, washed away, or otherwise rendered useless by water. In fact, PENE-GROUTÆ fits into the requirements of each particular installation since it converts water into a functioning solid, creating high-density hydrogels in situations of high water pressure or rapid flow. Additionally, the gradual reactivity of PENEGROUTÆ, which allows it to flow and fill before gel contrasts dramatically with chemical systems which start to gel immediately and are limited thereby in their ability to penetrate their surroundings. Moreover, the presence of water frequently diluted the reacting chemical grout to its disadvantage; PENE-GROUTÆ thrives in the presence of water. And, the urea-polymer gel created by the reaction of PENE-GROUTÆ and water is a hydrophobic. non-hydrated material having a three-dimensional structure that a two-part chemical system cannot produce, thus chemical grouts will not have similar strengths. Fourthly, PENE-G ROUTÆ is flexible. This resiliency allows it to function as a water barrier where movement is present as would be required between two unstable concrete slabs. Chemical grouts which are rigid and inflexible normally buckle. crack, and leak under such circumstances. Thus, the hydrogel is a desirable waterproofing system in earthquake areas.
Lastly, PENE-GROUTÆ is adhesive, possessing excellent bond to damp or wet soil, sand, rock, cement, and other building materials upon completion of the polymerization. Thus, water will not bypass the hydrogel by seeping through the interface with adjoining materials. And, its adhesion combined with the wedging effect from its expansion make it very resistant to displacement by moving water.
PENE-GROUTÆ is unaffected by the acids, alkalis, organics and inorganics found in soil, rock or building materials. it is highly resistant to biodegradation. The hydrogel is intrinsically hydrophobic and is stable physically and chemically. showing no signs of deterioration in a wet or buried environment. It does not swell, soften, depolymerize or change in underground. sea, or contaminated waters. It will perform its function satisfactorily through the life of the attendant structure.
PENE-GROUTÆ is environmentally desirable, although normal precautions should be taken (see below), personnel have minimal exposure to harmful fumes or gasses and the liquids are relatively safe. The hydrogel is completely non-pollutant to the waters it contacts; it has no effect on potable water, fish, or other native life. Since 100% of the polymer converts with water into a solid, no contamination takes place during installation.
PENE-GROUTÆ is more costly than chemical grouts in its unextended form. However, due to the fact that it is mixed with water on a 4 (water) to 1 (PENE-GROUTÆ) ratio or greater, its volume cost is more than competitive with other quality systems. Its normal simplicity of installation extends its cost advantage by reducing labor expenditures and by minimizing the need for elaborate and costly application equipment.
PENE-GROUTÆ is a chemical reaction and system patented with the United States Patent Office.
PENE-GROUTÆ is installed by selected licensed applicators that are thoroughly trained by PENE-GROUTÆ of North America. Only financially stable firms of sound reputation who specialize in water containment problem solving are eligible for our recognition.
PENE-GROUTÆ of North America, in conjunction with its licensed applicators, will issue performance warranties on projects where field, weather, and installation conditions are sufficiently controllable to assure predictable results.
PENE-GROUTÆ is not a panacea for all leak problems. However, its limitations are minimal and generally may be overcome by special handling. As an example, increased viscosity during cold conditions installation may be overcome by heating the prepolymer or by solventation; reactivity may be increased by the injection of hot prepolymer and hot water. Consult PENE-GROUTÆ of North America Technical Services when special problems arise.