23
HOW
DOES
IT
WORK?
Nutrients are
injected into
the ground near
the leak. This
stimulates the
growth of the
soil bacteria,
resulting
in a major
reduction in the
permeability
of the soil
and gradually
sealing off the
leak.
I
n 2008, BioSealing was still
very much in the research
stage; it is now a technology
that is being put into practice
successfully by a range of
companies. Deltares supplied
the know-how and a number of
companies who saw the market
potential were prepared to
invest in the system and test it.
BioSealing is a new technology
for sealing underground leaks,
for example in dams, dikes and
tunnels. Nutrients are injected
into the soil close to a suspected
leak, stimulating the growth of
soil bacteria. This drastically
reduces the permeability of the
soil, gradually sealing the leak.
BioSealing is a sustainable and
cheap alternative to traditional
methods, such as grouting or
chemical injection, for sealing
leaks on site.
The BioSealing Joint Industry
Project was initiated recently
to answer the latest research
questions relating to the
technology. On the basis of
laboratory tests and practical
cases, the project will study
possible improvements. Once this
research has been completed, it
will be time for a major market
launch for the new technology.
Alliance between Deltares and industry produces innovative
techniques and creates new market opportunities for business.
BIOSEALING
BLOCKED
WATERFLOW
PORE
CLOGGING
SOIL PARTICLE
The parties involved in the BioSealing JIP are: Sireg (Italy), Zuckerforschung Tulln (ZFT) (Austria), BioClear (Netherlands), Texplor (Benelux), Avebe
(
Netherlands), Züblin Spezialtiefbau (Austria), Volker Staal en Funderingen (VSF) (Netherlands), GEOtest (Czech Republic) and Deltares (Netherlands).
Using biosealing in the
Danube dike in Austria.
DELTARES, JANUARY 2014
KNOWLEDGE
IN OPERATION