Scholarly record
DEVELOPMENT OF GRAVEL-GELATIN COMPOSITES FOR BOREHOLE WATER FILTERS
Abstract
This study investigates the development of gravel-gelatin composites as pre-formed monolithic filter elements for borehole wells in unconsolidated sandy aquifers. The composites utilize food-grade gelatin as a natural, biodegradable, and low-cost binder to bond gravel particles into stable blocks, offering an alternative to conventional loose gravel packs that are labor-intensive to install and prone to placement inconsistencies. A systematic experimental approach was employed to optimize key manufacturing parameters: gelatin concentration (2–30% by mass), initial oven drying conditions (temperature 80–120 C, duration 0.5–6 h), and subsequent ambient drying time at room temperature (12–144 h). Uniaxial compressive strength served as the primary performance criterion. Results indicate that a short initial heat treatment (0.5 h at 80 C) followed by extended open-air drying is essential for effective moisture removal and matrix solidification. Compressive strength increases markedly with drying duration, stabilizing near 96 hours, and rises significantly with gelatin content up to approximately 10–15%. At the economically optimal gelatin concentration of 10%, mean strengths of 53–62 MPa were achieved after 96–144 hours of ambient drying – well above typical downhole mechanical requirements. The proposed technology combines ease of handling and installation with environmental advantages, while maintaining sufficient permeability of the gravel skeleton. Although hydraulic conductivity, long-term durability in saturated conditions, and field performance require further evaluation, the gravel-gelatin composites show strong potential as a cost-effective, eco-friendly solution for improving gravel-pack efficiency and reliability in water-supply boreholes drilled in fine-grained formations.
Publication details
References20
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