Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference:	GR/T18998/01
Title:	New Hydroceramics: Hydrothermal Phase Equilibria, Microwave Synthesis and Engineering Properties of New Sealants for Hot, Deep Wells
Principal Investigator:	Hall, Professor C
Other Investigators:	Harrison, Professor A
Researcher Co-Investigators:	Dr N Meller Dr AG Whittaker
Project Partners:
Department:	Sch of Engineering
Organisation:	University of Edinburgh
Scheme:	Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts:	01 April 2005	Ends:	31 August 2008	Value (£):	337,260
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:	Materials Characterisation Materials Synthesis & Growth
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:	Manufacturing
Related Grants:
Panel History:	Panel Date Panel Name Outcome 22 Jul 2004 Structural Prioritisation Panel (Tech) July 04 Deferred
Summary on Grant Application Form
Our recent exploratory work funded by Schlumberger shows that new inorganic materials based on naturally occurring but rare hydrothermal minerals found in volcanic environments are formed in hydrothermal laboratory reactions between portland cement and other reactive minerals not normally employed in well construction (for example, alumina, magnesia). Thus paste hydration at elevated temperatures of 150+ degC opens a hydrothermal synthesis route to a large class of strong new hydroceramic materials. The synchrotron methods we have pioneered allow us to track the mineral reactions in these systems. Our main objective is to synthesise these materials and make an initial assessment of their strength and durability for use in severe geothermal and oilfield conditions - that is, hot, deep wells. The number of formulations is large and the use of high-throughput microwave synthesis will be explored for mapping of the phase assemblages. Microwave and autoclave synthesis will be monitored by in-situ synchrotron diffraction and compared. The chemical, textural and mechanical properties of the materials will be determined and their durability in aggressive chemical environments assessed. Other potential applications of structural hydroceramics will be surveyed, notably in waste immobilization, and in general pasteforming/gel-casting technology.
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Organisation Website:	http://www.ed.ac.uk