Neutral Barrier Technology (NBT)
Neutral Barrier Technology (NBT) is a patented technique for controlling subsurface liquid and gas migration by the creation of rock barriers. Earth Systems, through its wholly-owned affiliate, Earth Systems Technologies, is in the early phases of commercializing this technology.
NBT mimics and accelerates the natural geological processes that are responsible for sealing aquifers and the creation of some oil and gas reservoirs. NBT has the commercial potential to provide:
- Non-invasive, inexpensive barriers to contain and control fluid flow in sub-surface and above ground environments.
- Greater installation flexibility, fewer implementation constraints and significantly lower installation cost over existing technologies.
This technology provides potential solutions to a host of environmental, water and gas management problems, including:
- Preventing water and gas migration from landfill sites;
- Groundwater intercept barriers (e.g. saline incursion);
- Preventing waterbody / aquifer contamination;
- Restricting water seepage from dam walls, floors and other water containment structures;
- Restricting gas seepage from underground storages;
- Restricting inflow of water into mine workings; and
- Engineered sub-surface drinking water storage.
NBT has numerous advantages over existing containment technologies, including:
- Relatively low cost of forming barriers.
- Ability to install barriers in consolidated rock (unlike most conventional barriers).
- Potential for constructing barriers at far greater depths without excavation.
- Self-seeking characteristic of barrier formation means that detailed definition of the permeable zone or leak is not required unlike grouting techniques.
If you have any queries regarding Neutral Barrier Technology or potential applications, please contact Earth Systems.
