In shield tunneling in complex geology, highly cohesive clay layers are a common challenge. Clay particles very easily adhere to the cutterhead and the inner wall of the soil chamber, forming hard mud cakes and causing abnormally high cutterhead torque and thrust and a sharp drop in muck discharge efficiency, which not only severely wears the equipment but also brings huge risks of schedule delay and cost overrun.
To address this core pain point, Chemi Tech, relying on its deep experience in applied materials chemistry, has developed a series of efficient shield clay dispersants. Our solution is not simple lubrication; instead, through a unique molecular design, it carries out surface chemical modification of clay particles. The product can rapidly penetrate and coat clay particles and destroy the electrostatic attraction and hydrogen bonding between them, so that clay clumps are effectively dissociated and dispersed in the slurry system, thereby fundamentally inhibiting the formation of mud cakes.
Our professional service steps are clear and reliable: first, our technical team analyzes the on-site soil samples and slurry parameters to accurately assess the clay characteristics; then, a plan for the dispersant type and dosage ratio is tailored to you; during construction, we provide on-site dosing guidance and real-time monitoring of slurry performance to ensure that the agent delivers the best effect; finally, continuous follow-up optimization is carried out to safeguard the smooth progress of the entire excavation section.
In an underground tunnel project in a city in East China, the contractor encountered a serious mud-caking phenomenon when crossing thick soft clay, and the daily excavation efficiency was less than half the design value. After applying Chemi Tech's customized dispersant, the cutterhead torque dropped significantly by about 30%, the slurry rheology was fundamentally improved, muck discharge became smooth, and the section finally completed its excavation task ahead of schedule, with equipment wear greatly reduced.
Choosing Chemi Tech means choosing a reliable and efficient shield slurry management strategy. Our engineers are committed to using innovative chemical solutions to clear clay obstacles for your shield tunneling project and to ensure smooth and efficient progress of the project.