Application of Long-Chain Polymer Slurry as Soil Stabilization in Reverse Circulation Drilling System-Paper

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The paper evaluates long-chain polymer slurry as a soil stabilizer for reverse circulation drilling (RCD), using the PJ Sentral project in Malaysia as a case study. Polymer slurries are presented as an alternative to bentonite because they are quick to prepare, reusable during drilling, biodegradable, and compatible with deep, large-diameter bored piles.<br /><br />At PJ Sentral, 88 piles were drilled using RCD and polymer slurry. They ranged from 1,050 to 2,000 mm in diameter, with depths up to 90 m and an average depth of 62 m. Before concreting, average slurry properties met project targets: Marsh-funnel viscosity was 44.6 seconds, density 1.062 g/cm³, pH 9.2, and sand content 0.48%. Average concrete overbreak was 11.6%, within the specified 2–15% range, indicating satisfactory borehole stability.<br /><br />Continuous circulation, sedimentation tanks, regular slurry testing, and parameter adjustments were central to maintaining slurry quality and removing cuttings. Compared with bentonite, polymer required less preparation time and less extensive processing and storage equipment. Production data from another project indicated a 17% increase in piles completed per rig per day with polymer; the authors estimate this could have saved 128 working days at PJ Sentral.<br /><br />The paper also reports that the polymer slurry could be conditioned for disposal by adjusting its viscosity and pH, supporting a lower environmental impact. Overall, the case study suggests that carefully managed long-chain polymer slurry can support quality, stability, and production in RCD piling while reducing operational and environmental burdens compared with bentonite.

Keywords

polymer slurry

reverse circulation drilling

soil stabilizer

bentonite alternative

bored piles

PJ Sentral

slurry properties

borehole stability

construction productivity

environmental impact