Since 1994
A manufacturer, not a trader. Bentonite at Bhuj, polymers at Domjur.
Pileman® BH: bentonite for drilling with brackish water
One bag for trenchless and vertical drilling: mix it straight into brackish water, or hydrate it in fresh water first.
Description
Pileman® BH is a bentonite support fluid for drilling in brackish water. Specially selected and processed bentonite takes selected polymers and additives as the job needs. Added straight to make-up water pre-mixed with soda ash (light), or hydrated in fresh water first, it forms a stable slurry with no sedimentation. On longer HDD drives the light slurry keeps pump pressure low and helps prevent frac-outs.
Used for: HDD · Microtunnelling · Piling and diaphragm walls
Other Pileman® grades: Pileman® · Pileman® Trenchless · Pileman® SDF
What goes wrong on site
What you see on site
What this does about it
- Your slurry settles out in brackish or hard site water.
- With soda ash pre-mixed into the water, Pileman® BH forms a stable slurry.
- The water is too salty to mix straight in.
- Hydrate Pileman® BH in fresh water first, then drill with it.
- Pump pressure climbs on a long HDD drive.
- The light slurry keeps pump pressure low and helps prevent frac-outs.
- The ground changes along the bore.
- One bag serves different soil types, so you keep one slurry.
Technical properties
- 50″Marsh funnel viscosity
- 23 mlAPI filtrate
- 9 lb/100 ft²10 s gel strength
- 1.03Slurry specific gravity
- 10–11pH, 3% dispersion
At 50 kg per m³ in 5,000 ppm brackish water, with soda ash pre-mixed into the water; pH (3% dispersion) is the powder's. Drills in up to 16,000 ppm conditions when hydrated in fresh water.
Packing 25 kg bags, stretch-wrapped on wooden pallets, or 1,300 kg jumbo bags.
Not sure of your water, or above 16,000 ppm?
Send us the water analysis. The technical desk reads it and replies within 1 working day.
Made by us. Checked by others.
ISO 9001:2015
All our plants are quality management system certified.
One Star Export House
Recognised by the Government of India. We ship through Mundra and Kandla.
Own mine, Kutch
The clay in every bag comes from our own reserves in Kutch.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Pileman® BH?
Pileman® BH is specially designed for drilling where the water is saline, up to 16,000 ppm. It serves different soil types in trenchless and vertical drilling, and takes polymers and additives as the job needs.
How is it mixed?
With soda ash pre-mixed into the water, mix it straight into brackish water up to 5,000 ppm. Drills in up to 16,000 ppm conditions when hydrated in fresh water. Both at 50 kg per m³.
What about fresh or hard water, or water above 16,000 ppm?
Pileman® BH is for brackish water up to 16,000 ppm and for hard water. Up to 5,000 ppm it mixes straight in, with soda ash pre-mixed into the water; it drills in up to 16,000 ppm conditions when hydrated in fresh water. Fresh water takes Pileman® for piling or Pileman® Trenchless for HDD. Above 16,000 ppm, or if you do not know, send us the water analysis and the technical desk will reply.
Which jobs is Pileman® BH used for?
HDD, microtunnelling and other trenchless drilling, and vertical drilling such as bored piles and diaphragm walls. On longer HDD drives the light slurry keeps pump pressure low and helps prevent frac-outs; in microtunnelling it serves as face support, and more pipes are pushed on one slurry mix.
Can one slurry handle different soil types?
Yes. One bag serves different soil types, and the slurry stays stable with no sedimentation, giving borehole stability across them.
Why price bentonite per m³ of slurry and not per tonne?
Because your bore pays for slurry, not for bags. A good bentonite needs a lower dose, and it seeps less into the ground, so the bore makes fewer cuttings and needs less slurry to finish. That total, not the bag price, is your real cost.
How is Pileman® BH supplied?
In 25 kg bags, stretch-wrapped on wooden pallets, or in 1,300 kg jumbo bags. For pricing, lead time and shipping to your port, ask for a quotation.
Which test methods and standards apply?
Pileman® BH meets API 13A and OCMA DFCP-4 specifications where relevant, and is made under an ISO 9001:2015 quality system. Every test method is listed on its data sheet.
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