AU2017100629A4 - Composition for reducing liquid water content in bore hole - Google Patents

Abstract

A composition for reducing liquid water content in bore holes is disclosed. Said composition comprises a super absorbent polymer (SAP) material and a particulate material with a specific gravity distribution greater than 1.0. The SAP material may be physical bonded or chemically bonded to the particulate material. Alternatively, the SAP material may be coated on the particulate material or integrally mixed with the particulate material. Said composition may also comprise a surfactant. Fu 16 Figuire1I

Description

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σ^ (N O o o (N 1 "Composition for reducing liquid water content in a borehole, method and system for use thereof"

Technical Field [0001 ] The present disclosure relates to a composition for reducing liquid water content in a borehole, method and system for use thereof.

Background [0002] Drilling and blasting relates to the controlled use of explosives to break rock for excavation. It is a technique commonly used in mining, quarrying and construction industries and involves drilling a borehole into the rock, filling it with explosives and subsequently detonating the explosives.

[0003] The ingress of surface water or groundwater into the drilled borehole is a significant problem. The presence of water may contaminate the explosive charge and leach salts therefrom thereby reducing its blasting strength. Additionally, or alternatively, the water may displace the explosive charge in the borehole if the bulk density of the explosive charge is less than 1 g/cc.

[0004] Current methods used to deal with water-saturated boreholes include pumping the water from the borehole, using water-resistant speciality explosives, placing a mechanical packer device, such as an airbag on top of the water column to physically separate the water and explosives, or applying super absorbent polymers to the water column.

[0005] Disadvantages of the currently available methods abound. Physically removing the water by pumping is not only time-consuming but labour intensive and must be deployed continuously to avoid explosive contamination in the event of continued ingress of groundwater. Water-resistant specialty explosives are expensive and require special equipment and operators. Mechanical barrier devices do not effectively counter the presence of water and their seals are imperfect. In the event of failure, mechanical barrier devices are difficult to retrieve or reset and may require an additional unit be deployed. ο Η Ο (Ν δ' σ^ (Ν σ^ (Ν Ό Ο Ο ο (Ν [0006] Currently available polymeric or super absorbent polymer (SAP) materials are typically hydrocarbon based and tend to float on top of the water column because they have a specific gravity of less than 1.0. Consequently, only the upper portion of a water column tends to be absorbed by the SAP. Additionally, these compositions are subject to ‘bridging’ and ‘gel blocking’, a phenomenon wherein the super absorbent polymer (SAP) material which first encounters water swells, thereby preventing further absorption of water by the SAP. Conventional SAP material are ineffective at treating the entire water column in the borehole with the result that the weight of the explosive charge may force free water past the SAP barrier thereby contaminating the explosive.

[0007] Some of the embodiments as disclosed herein seek to address at least some of the problems identified herein.

[0008] It will be clearly understood that, although a number of prior art publications are referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that any of these documents forms part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or in any other country.

Summary [0009] The present disclosure provides a composition for reducing liquid water content in a borehole (‘a down hole dewatering composition’), method and system for use thereof.

[0010] In a first aspect of the disclosure there is provided a composition for reducing liquid water content in a borehole comprising a super absorbent polymer (SAP) material and a particulate material with a specific gravity distribution greater than 1.0.

[0011] The particulate material may have a specific gravity in a range from 1.0 to 4.8, and more particularly a specific gravity in a range from 1.2 to 2.8.

[0012] In one embodiment, the composition comprises the SAP material bonded to the particulate material. The SAP material may be physically bonded to the particulate material. Alternatively, the SAP material may be chemically bonded to the particulate material. ο ο (Ν δ' σ^ (Ν σ^ (Ν Ο Ο r-- Ο (Ν [0013] In an alternative embodiment, the SAP material may be coated on the particulate material.

[0014] In a further alternative embodiment, the SAP material may be integrally mixed with the particulate material.

[0015] In some embodiments, the composition further comprises a surfactant.

[0016] The composition may comprise from 1 wt% to 95 wt % of SAP material, from 1 wt% to 95 wt% of the particulate material and, optionally up to 10 wt% surfactant.

[0017] The SAP material may be a crosslinked hydrophilic polymer selected from a group comprising polyacrylic acid and polyacrylic acid derivatives, and copolymers thereof, polymethacrylic acid and polymethacrylic acid derivatives, and copolymers thereof, polyethylene glycol and polyethylene glycol derivatives and copolymers thereof, polyacrylamide polymers and copolymers, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl alcohol derivatives, and copolymers thereof, or combinations thereof. Alternatively, the SAP material may be crosslinked natural polymers selected from a group comprising polysaccharides, chitin, polypeptide, alginate or cellulose. Exemplary crosslinked natural polymers include, but are not limited to, xanthan gum, crosslinked guar gum, crosslinked starches, carboxymethyl cellulose.

[0018] The particulate material may be a water-insoluble inorganic material. The inorganic material may be a Al- and/or Si-containing material including, but not limited to, clay, clay-like materials, silica, silicates, alumina, aluminates, aluminosilicates, sand, soil, drillings, diatomaceous earth, zeolites, bentonite, kaolin, hydrotalcite or combinations thereof, and so forth, a refractory material including but not limited to iron oxides, aluminium oxides, magnesium oxide, zinc oxide, cerium oxides, titanium oxides, zirconium oxides, and so forth, water-insoluble inorganic salts such as barium sulphate, calcium carbonate (e.g. in the form of dolerite), or combinations thereof.

[0019] The particulate material may have a mean particle diameter of > 1 micron. In a preferred embodiment, the particulate material may have a mean particle diameter in a range of 20 micron to 10 mm. ο Η Ο (Ν δ' σ^ (Ν σ^ (Ν Ό Ο Ο ο (Ν [0020] The surfactant may be a non-ionic surfactant or an ionic surfactant, such as a cationic surfactant or an ionic surfactant.

[0021 ] In a second aspect of the disclosure there is provided a method for reducing liquid water content of a water saturated borehole comprising: providing a composition comprising a super absorbent polymer material and a particulate material with a specific gravity greater than 1.0; and, applying the composition to a water saturated borehole in an amount sufficient to absorb liquid water in the borehole.

[0022] The composition may be applied as a dry powder or a granulate.

[0023] The amount of said composition applied to the borehole will be dependent on the volume of liquid water contained in the borehole.

[0024] In another aspect of the disclosure there is provided a system for reducing liquid water content of a water saturated borehole comprising: a composition comprising a super absorbent polymer material and a particulate material with a specific gravity greater than 1.0; and, an applicator to apply the composition to a water saturated borehole in an amount sufficient to absorb liquid water in the borehole.

[0025] The composition comprises a dry powder or a granulate. Accordingly, the applicator may be suitable for delivering an appropriate dosage of the dry powder or the granulate to the borehole. Suitable applicators include, but are not limited to, an augur system, a pneumatic delivery system, or a manual dosing system.

Brief Description of Drawings [0026] Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will now be further described and illustrated, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

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[0027] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a borehole partially filled with a column of liquid water, shown prior to treatment with a downhole dewatering composition as described herein; [0028] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the borehole of Figure 1, wherein an amount of a downhole dewatering composition has been applied to the borehole; [0029] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the borehole shown in Figure 2 wherein the downhole dewatering composition is distributed through the column of liquid water under gravity; and [0030] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the borehole shown in Figure 3, wherein the downhole dewatering composition has absorbed the liquid water thereby producing a gelled column in the borehole.

Description of Embodiments [0031] The present invention is described in the following various non-limiting embodiments, which relate to a composition for reducing liquid water content in a borehole, method and system for use thereof.

GENERAL TERMS

[0032] Throughout this specification, unless specifically stated otherwise or the context requires otherwise, reference to a single step, composition of matter, group of steps or group of compositions of matter shall be taken to encompass one and a plurality (i.e. one or more) of those steps, compositions of matter, groups of steps or groups of compositions of matter. Thus, as used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" include plural aspects unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. For example, reference to "a" includes a single as well as two or more; reference to "an" includes a single as well as two or more; reference to "the" includes a single as well as two or more and so forth.

[0033] Each example of the present disclosure described herein is to be applied mutatis mutandis to each and every other example unless specifically stated otherwise. The present disclosure is not to be limited in scope by the specific

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σ^ (N Ό O O o (N r- examples described herein, which are intended for the purpose of exemplification only. Functionally-equivalent products, compositions and methods are clearly within the scope of the disclosure as described herein.

[0034] The term "and/or", e.g., "X and/or Y" shall be understood to mean either "X and Y" or "X or Y" and shall be taken to provide explicit support for both meanings or for either meaning.

[0035] Throughout this specification the word "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.

[0036] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, suitable methods and materials are described below. In case of conflict, the present specification, including definitions, will control. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

SPECIFIC TERMS

[0037] The term ‘water-saturated borehole’ as used herein refers to a drilled hole that Is filled either partially or completely with liquid water. The liquid water may be from ingress of surface water or groundwater seepage.

[0038] The term ‘particle’, ‘particulate’ and the like refer to the form of discrete solid units. The units may take the form of flakes, fibres, agglomerates, granules, powders, spheres, pulverized materials or the like, as well as combinations thereof. The particles may have any desired shape including, but not limited to, cubic, rod like, polyhedral, spherical or seml-spherical, rounded or semi-rounded, angular, irregular, and so forth. ο Η Ο (Ν δ' σ^ (Ν σ^ (Ν Ό Ο Ο r- ο (Ν [0039] The term ‘specific gravity’ as used herein with reference to a solid substance is the ratio of the weight of a given volume of material to the weight of an equal volume of water (at 20 °C). The term ‘specific gravity distribution’ as used herein with reference to a particulate material refers to a list of values or a mathematical function that defines the relative amount, typically by mass, of particles present according to specific gravity.

[0040] The term ‘borehole geometry’ as used herein refers to dimensional parameters and characteristics of the borehole including, but not limited to the diameter of the borehole, the depth of the hole, angle of inclination from vertical and so forth.

[0041] The unit ‘wt %’ as used herein, unless othen/vise specified, refers to percentage weight with respect to the total weight of the composition.

COMPOSITION FOR REDUCING LIQUID WATER CONTENT IN BOREHOLES

[0042] Certain embodiments provide a composition for reducing liquid water content in boreholes. The composition is suitable for treatment of water-saturated boreholes, in particular those water-saturated boreholes that are filled or partially filled with explosives to break rock for excavation.

[0043] The composition comprises a SAP material and a particulate material with a specific gravity distribution greater than 1.0.

[0044] Advantageously, because the composition includes a particulate material comprising particles with a range of specific gravity greater than 1.0, the composition is capable of being distributed through an entire profile of a water column within a water-saturated borehole before the SAP material swells in response to absorbing the liquid water in the borehole. In this way, the problem of ‘bridging’ and ‘gel blocking’, as described earlier, is avoided.

[0045] The particulate material may have a specific gravity in a range from 1.0 to 4.8, and more particularly a specific gravity in a range from 1.2 to 2.8. Ο (N S'

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σ^ (N O o r- o (N 8 [0046] The particulate material may comprise a mixture of solid particles with a substantially regular distribution of specific gravities greater than 1.0. Alternatively, the particulate material may comprise a mixture of solid particles with a multi-modal distribution of specific gravities greater than 1.0.

[0047] The particulate material may be a water-insoluble inorganic material having a specific gravity greater than 1.0. In particular, the particulate material may be a mixture of water-insoluble inorganic or organic materials with respective specific gravities distributed in a range greater than 1.0. Suitable examples of inorganic materials comprise a Al- and/or Si-containing material including, but not limited to, clay, clay-like materials, silica, silicates, alumina, aluminates, aluminosilicates, sand, soil, drillings, diatomaceous earth, zeolites, bentonite, kaolin, hydrotalcite or combinations thereof, and so forth, a refractory material including but not limited to iron oxides, aluminium oxides, magnesium oxide, zinc oxide, cerium oxides, titanium oxides, zirconium oxides, and so forth, water-insoluble inorganic ionic compounds such as barium sulphate, calcium carbonate (such as in the form of dolerite), or combinations thereof.

[0048] The particulate material may have a mean particle diameter of > 1 micron. In a preferred embodiment, the particulate material may have a mean particle diameter in a range of 20 micron to 10 mm.

[0049] The SAP material is a polymeric material that is capable of absorbing at least 10 times its own weight in aqueous fluid and is capable of retaining the absorbed aqueous fluid under moderate pressure. The absorbed aqueous fluid is taken into the molecular structure of the SAP rather than being contained in pores from which the fluid could be eliminated by squeezing. Some SAPs can absorb up to 1000 times their weight in aqueous fluid.

[0050] The SAP material may be a crosslinked hydrophilic polymer selected from a group comprising polyacrylic acid and polyacrylic acid derivatives, and copolymers thereof, polymethacrylic acid and polymethacrylic acid derivatives, and copolymers thereof, polyethylene glycol and polyethylene glycol derivatives and copolymers thereof, polyacrylamide polymers and copolymers, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl alcohol derivatives, and copolymers thereof, or combinations thereof. Alternatively, the SAP ο (N S'

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[0051 ] In one embodiment, the composition comprises the SAP material bonded to the particulate material. The SAP material may be physically bonded to the particulate material. For example, the SAP material may be bonded to the particulate material by secondary or weak bonding interactions such as electrostatic interactions, adhesive or mechanical bonds.

[0052] Alternatively, the SAP material may be chemically bonded to the particulate material. In other words, the SAP material may be bonded to the particulate material by covalent or ionic bonds between the SAP material and metal-oxide, silicon-oxide, and/or hydroxyl moieties on the surface of the particulate material.

[0053] The SAP material may also be a coating on at least a portion of the particulate material. The coating of SAP material on the particulate material may be a physical coating formed by depositing a layer of SAP material on the particulate material. Alternatively, the coating of SAP material on the particulate material may be a coating formed by chemically bonding the SAP material to the particulate material as discussed above..

[0054] Alternatively, the SAP material may be integrally mixed with the particulate material.

[0055] In some embodiments, the composition further comprises a surfactant. The surfactant may be a non-ionic surfactant or an ionic surfactant.

[0056] The composition may comprise from 1 wt% to 95 wt % of SAP material, from 1 wt% to 95 wt% of the particulate material and, optionally up to 10 wt% surfactant.

[0057] The composition may be prepared by mixing between 1 wt% to 95 wt% of SAP material with 95 wt% to 1 wt% of one or more particulate materials having a particle size diameter in a range of 20 micron to 10 mm and respective specific gravity ο (N S'

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σ^ (N O o o (N 10 in a range from 1.0 to 4.8. The SAP material and the one or more particulate materials may be mixed in any suitable mixing apparatus, such as for example a rotating drum mixer.

[0058] A surfactant may then be added to the mixture at a dose rate of up to 10 wt%. The surfactant facilitates adhesion of the SAP material to the particulate material. In a preferred embodiment, the surfactant may be a polyethylene glycol (PEG) surfactant. Advantageously, when the composition is in situ, the surfactant may sequester mono and divalent cations that may be present in the liquid water in the borehole.

METHOD FOR REDUCING LIQUID WATER CONTENT IN A WATER SATURATED BOREHOLE

[0059] The composition as described herein may be employed in a method for reducing liquid water content in a water saturated borehole. It will be appreciated that the composition is as described in the preceding paragraphs.

[0060] Referring to Figures 1 to 4, there is shown a borehole 12 drilled into a substrate 14. The borehole 12 contains a column 16 of liquid water at a lowermost end of the borehole 12. The liquid water may arise from seepage of groundwater from the substrate 14 into the borehole 12 and/or drainage of surface water or rainwater into the borehole.

[0061 ] The amount of said composition which is sufficient to absorb substantially all the liquid water in the borehole12 will be dependent on the volume of liquid water contained in the borehole 12 , which in turn will be dependent on several factors including the diameter of the borehole 12, the depth of the borehole 12, the porosity of the substrate 14 in which the borehole 12 is drilled, the relative position and depth of the borehole 12 with respect to groundwater or an aquifer, the hydraulic gradient of the aquifer (i.e. rate of flow of groundwater through the aquifer), and so forth.

[0062] Once the volume of liquid water contained in the borehole 12 is known, the amount of said composition which is sufficient to absorb substantially all the liquid water in the borehole 12 may be calculated according to the weight percent of the SAP material in the composition with reference to its absorptive capacity. ο (N δ'

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σ^ (N O o o (N 11 [0063] The predetermined amount composition 20 may be applied as a dry powder or a granulate. The composition may be released at an opening 22 of the borehole 12 and allowed to fall through the void 18 into the column 16 of liquid water in the borehole 12 in response to gravity.

[0064] Alternatively, the predetermined amount of composition 20 may be inserted into the void 18 of the borehole 12 and released proximal to a head of the column 16 within the borehole 12.

[0065] The composition 20 may be applied to the borehole 12 by any suitable means. For example, the composition 20 may be applied manually. Alternatively, the composition 20 may be applied by mechanically or pneumatically by means of an auger or an automated dosing system.

[0066] Shortly after contacting the column 16 of liquid water, the composition 20 swells in response to absorbing liquid water and the entire column 16 is transformed to a gelled water column 16’ within a few seconds.

[0067] Advantageously, said composition 20 is capable of being distributed through an entire profile of the column 16 within the borehole 12 before the SAP material swells in response to absorbing the liquid water in the borehole 12. In this way, the problem of ‘bridging’ and ‘gel blocking’, as described earlier, is avoided.

[0068] There is substantially change to the volume of the water column and the borehole geometry remains the same. It will be appreciated that the higher the specific gravity of the particulate material, the more negligible the increase in volume of the gelled water column will be. For example, the volume of the gelled water column will increase less if barite (4.2 s.g) is the particulate material in comparison to embodiments where sand or silica (2.4 s.g) is the particulate material.

[0069] After the liquid water content in the borehole has been reduced in accordance to the method described herein it is possible to pump or pour explosive and load booster and detonators into the borehole to reside on the resulting solid gelled water column. Aggregate stem may then be loaded onto the explosive, adding further weight onto the solid gelled water column. Advantageously, the weight bearing

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σ^ (N Ό O o r- o (N 12 capacity of the resulting solid gelled water column is not compromised and under loading conditions, such as described above, little or no liquid water seeps past the solid gelled water column and contaminates the explosive.

[0070] If an explosive charge is placed on top of the gelled water column, the pressure wave energy generated upon detonation of the explosive charge will be directed upwards and laterally but not downwardly, thereby increasing the likelihood of toe. The term ‘toe’ as used herein refers to ground not fractured between blast holes or between and beneath blast holes. Toe is a well-recognised problem which is conventionally addressed by drilling blast holes closer together.

[0071 ] The inventor opines, however, that toe may be diminished in water-saturated blast holes by inserting an explosive charge in a water-proof cartridge at the bottom of a drill hole and the column of liquid water. A sufficient amount of the composition may then be applied to the bore hole so that the liquid water column gels. The pressure wave energy generated by subsequently detonating the explosive charge is then directed laterally and downwardly by the gelled water column (which reflects the pressure wave). Consequently, the propensity for toe is very much diminished, thereby allowing the blast hole pattern to be expanded (i.e. the drilled blast holes may be spaced further apart, thereby reducing the number of drilled blast holes required).

[0072] The composition 20 may be applied to the borehole 12 in a batch mode or continuously over a period of time. In this latter embodiment, the particulate material of the composition may comprise a single particulate material having a specific gravity greater than 1.0. It will be appreciated that the free water column in this particular embodiment will progressively gel from the bottom up as said composition is continuously applied to the water saturated borehole.

SYSTEM FOR REMOVING LIOUID WATER FROM A WATER SATURATED BOREHOLE

[0073] The method for removing liquid water from a water saturated borehole as described herein may be performed using a system for removing liquid water from a water saturated borehole.

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C^ (N Ό O O o (N 13 [0074] The system for removing liquid water from a water saturated borehole comprises: a composition comprising a super absorbent polymer material and a particulate material with a specific gravity greater than 1.0; and, an applicator to apply the down hole dewatering composition to a water saturated borehole in an amount sufficient to absorb liquid water in the borehole.

[0075] The composition is as described in the preceding paragraphs.

[0076] The composition may be applied as a dry powder or granulate. Accordingly, the applicator may be suitable device for delivering an appropriate dosage of the dry powder to the borehole. Suitable applicators include, but are not limited to, an augur system, a pneumatic delivery system, or a manual dosing system.

[0077] The invention is further illustrated by the following examples. The examples are provided for illustrative purposes only. They are not to be construed as limiting the scope or content of the invention in any way.

Examples [0078] Predetermined amounts of a composition consisting of 30 wt% crosslinked sodium polyacrylate, 68 wt% particulate material consisting of 1:1 (on a weight basis) barite and dolerite of various particle sizes ranging from 20 micron to 10 mm, and 2 wt% PEG were manually applied from a known height into a series of Perspex tubes (55 mm, 74 mm and 200 mm diameter) containing a known volume of water. The water samples within the tubes had varying concentrations of total dissolved solids (TDS) measured in ppm. The experimental details and results of these tests are provided in the following tables.

Test 1 (50 mm diameter Perspex tube)

Water Height 140 mm Water Volume 300 ml Drop Height 160 mm TDS (ppm) Gei time (s) 500 35 1000 70 2000 105 r- 14

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Composition (g) Gei time, (s) 15 120 30 15 60 12

Test 2 (74 mm diameter Perspex tube) Water Height 1000 mm Water Volume 4300 ml Drop Height 350 mm Composition 430 g

Test 3 (200 mm diameter Perspex tube)

Water Height 1000 mm Water Volume 31416 ml Drop Height 500 mm Composition 3140 g TDS (ppm) Gei time (s) 500 30 1000 65 2000 90 [0079] The composition was observed to fall in a controlled manner through the entire liquid water column. The time taken for the water column to gel was recorded.

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σ^ (N Ό O O r- o (N 15 [0080] No bridging was observed. Furthermore, the liquid water column solidified from the bottom up and the top down over a very short period of time, after which no liquid water was observed.

[0081] An equivalent mass was then placed on top of the gelled water column. The resulting gelled water column was firm and no squeeze pass of liquid water was observed.

[0082] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments, without departing from the broad general scope of the present disclosure. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

Claims (5)

1. CLAIMS:

   1. A composition for reducing liquid water content in a borehole comprising a super absorbent polymer (SAP) material, a particulate material with a specific gravity distribution greater than 1.0 and, optionally, a surfactant.
2. 2. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the SAP material is: i. physically bonded to the particulate material; ii. chemically bonded to the particulate material; iii. integrally mixed with the particulate material; or iv. coated on the particulate material.
3. 3. The composition according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the SAP material comprises: i. a crosslinked hydrophilic polymer selected from a group comprising polyacrylic acid and polyacrylic acid derivatives, and copolymers thereof, polymethacrylic acid and polymethacrylic acid derivatives, and copolymers thereof, polyethylene glycol and polyethylene glycol derivatives and copolymers thereof, polyacrylamide polymers and copolymers, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl alcohol derivatives, and copolymers thereof, or combinations thereof; or ii. a crosslinked natural polymer selected from a group comprising polysaccharides, chitin, polypeptide, alginate, cellulose xanthan gum, crosslinked guar gum, crosslinked starches, carboxymethyl cellulose or combinations thereof.
4. 4. The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the particulate material is one or more water-insoluble inorganic materials comprising a Al- and/or Si-containing material, a refractory material or an ionic compound and wherein the particulate material has a particle mean particle diameter of > 1 micron..
5. 5. A method for reducing liquid water content in a borehole comprising: providing a composition comprising a super absorbent polymer material and a particulate material with a specific gravity greater than 1.0; and, applying the composition to a borehole in an amount sufficient to absorb liquid water in the borehole.