Warehouse Temporarily Closed: 29th March - 3rd April

Please order by 27th March

Sodium Bentonite Clay PELLETS - Sealer for deep Ponds Lakes and Bore holes

Title:

SKU: RD11987

Regular price £45.99
Sale price £45.99 Regular price
Sale Sold out
Unit price
/per 
Tax included.
This is a pre order item. We will ship it when it comes in stock.

CIVIL ENGINEERING GRADE BENTONITE CLAY

Sodium Bentonite PELLETS

BENTONEX SB PELLETS

 

This clay is Civil Engineering grade and suitable for use in engineering projects where a slower absorption of water and swelling is preferred. It is commonly used for sealing bore holes, deep ponds, lakes etc (see below). 

 

properties of Bentonite Clay:

  • CAS No: 1302-78-9
  • EC No: 215-288-5
  • Other names: sodium Bentonite, Montmorillonite, Aluminosilicate of sodium
  • Appearance: Pellets ( 1 cm approx )
  • Colour: Tan
  • Odour: mild
  • Bulk Density: 1050 Kg/m3

When bentonite is mixed with water, the water molecules will enter between the clay plates, forcing them apart. While the plates are dispersed, the bentonite slurry becomes quite fluid. However, on standing the particles become oriented with the negative surfaces of the plates being attracted to the positive edges. Viscosity increases and a gel is formed – a reversible effect known as thixotropy.

A typical empirical formula for bentonite is:

(Al, Fe0.67 Mg0.33) Si4O10(OH)2Na,Ca0.33

 

USES FOR BENTONITE:

  • Sealing ponds, lakes and landfills (more information below)
  • Well drilling slurry.

 

Bentonite Pellets For Sealing Ponds:

Sodium Bentonite Pellets swell up to eighteen times its dry size when it becomes wet. Expanded bentonite forms an impermeable gel seal which makes an excellent pond sealant. Bentonite is environmentally safe and does not affect the water, livestock, or wildlife. When properly applied, it will not harm fish.

When sealing a leaking pond to prevent water loss through seepage, Bentonite Pellets can be applied by sprinkling on the surface of the water and allowing to settle to the bottom. In the case of small ponds, it can be applied with simple hand tools and for larger ponds and lakes, with ordinary farm equipment.

  

Application Rates:
  • Clay soils: 5-7 Kg/m2
  • Sandy Silt: 10-12 Kg/m2
  • Silty Sand: 12-15 Kg/m2
  • Clean Sand: 15-20 Kg/m2
  • Rock or Gravel: 20/25 Kg/m2

 

THE BLANKET METHOD (Powder or Granules)

The blanket method is considered to be the most effective way to seal a pond or lake and protect against loss through seepage. As it’s name suggests it is a layer of Bentonite POWDER or Bentonite GRANULES (or a mixture of both) which is laid between the base of the pond and a top layer of soil or clay. Application is more labour intensive compared to other methods but the results are superior.

In order to use this method, the pond must be drained. All roots, rocks, logs etc should be removed. Remove a layer of 10 to 15cm of the soil and place around the sides of the pond. The base of the pond should be even and if there are any large crevices or holes these should be filled with a mixture of soil and bentonite (5:1 mix) and tamped down or rolled.

Spread a layer of the Bentonite evenly over the surface. The amount required per square metre will be dependant of the consistency of the substrate. See chart above to determine the quantity required. For larger ponds and lakes it is advisable to divide the area in to smaller manageable areas of around 10 sq m with markers. Lay the required bags per 10 sq m in the marked area.

The soil that was originally excavated needs to be reapplied and spread evenly over the layer of bentonite. Care should be taken to avoid excessive disturbance of the bentonite layer. When all soil has been applied compact the surface by rolling or tamping. Then lightly spray the surface with water and tamp down a second time. When refilling pond, ensure water flow is slow and even to avoid any disturbance of the newly prepared surface. It will take about a week for the bentonite layer to achieve maximum saturation and offer optimum protection against seepage.

 

THE MIXED BLANKET METHOD (Powder or Granules)

The Mixed Blanket Method of applying Bentonite is similar to that of the Blanket Method. It involves mixing Bentonite POWDER or Bentonite GRANULES (or a mixture of both) with soil and laying on top of the base of the pond or lake.

In order to use this method, the pond must be drained. All roots, rocks, logs etc should be removed. The base of the pond should be even and if there are any large crevices or holes these should be filled with a mixture of soil and bentonite (5:1 mix) and tamped down or rolled.

Next, plough, till or disc the base of the pond ensuring a thorough mix of the substrate so that there is an even distribution of the soil. The depth of the plough etc should be set to between 10 and 20cm. After ploughing the surface rake or drag the soil to create a smooth, even surface. 

Next, spread a layer of the Bentonite evenly over the surface. The amount required per square metre will be dependant of the consistency of the substrate. See chart above to determine the quantity required. For larger ponds and lakes it is advisable to divide the area in to smaller manageable areas of around 10 sq m with markers. Lay the required bags per 10 sq m in the marked area. Using the same depth setting as on the initial turning of the soil, plough, till or disc the surface to mix the bentonite with the soil. Once satisfied that the bentonite and soil are well mixed compact the surface by rolling or tamping. Then lightly spray the surface with water and tamp down a second time. When refilling pond, ensure water flow is slow and even to avoid any disturbance of the newly prepared surface. It will take about a week for the bentonite layer to achieve maximum saturation and offer optimum protection against seepage


THE SPRINKLE METHOD (Granules or Pellets)

The Sprinkle Method is used where it is not possible to drain the pond or lake. It is considered to be less effective at sealing ponds and reducing seepage compared to the Blanket and Mixed Blanket methods. It is commonly employed for targeted treatment of areas where seepage is suspected to be occurring, rather than treating the complete bed of the pond or lake. The Powdered Bentonite is not recommended for this Method. The GRANULAR Bentonite should be used for this application and for very deep water, the Bentonite PELLETS are preferred. Usage of granules is considered to be safe for fish and wildlife.

See chart above to determine the quantity required per square metre of area being treated. Pour the granules over the surface of the water. The granules will drop down to the bottom of the pond and be drawn into any crevices, holes and cracks. There, they will swell and seal the crevices etc.

 

 

Click here for MSDS

Click here for the Specification sheet

 

PLEASE NOTE: This product is not for human or animal consumption.