2010 PGWA Winter Conference

Presentation Descriptions

What Will You Be Drilling in 2010?

By Todd Giddings, Todd Giddings and Associates, Inc.

This keynote presentation will discuss the water well and geothermal borehole drilling opportunities in 2010. While the new housing industry is not as down as it was in the middle of last year, the demand for new house wells is still below pre-recession levels. Is now the time to consider growing your water well drilling business into the geothermal borehole drilling industry?

Recent changes to the Federal geothermal tax credit program have increased the types of geothermal heat pump systems that qualify for the federal tax credits. The 30% residential tax credit is driving the demand for the retrofitting of geothermal systems into existing homes to such a high degree that new businesses are being created to meet this retrofit demand.

This presentation will discuss each of the three ways to grow your water well drilling business during this recession:

1.     Understand what the geothermal industry is and why it’s important to your company.

2.     Have a clear picture of where the geothermal opportunities are for your company.

3.     Have a better understanding of how to enter or grow in the geothermal industry, get geothermal jobs, and make money drilling geothermal boreholes.

If you are already drilling geothermal boreholes, the presentations in the geothermal track of this 2010 PGWA Winter Conference will provide specialized information to help you make your existing geothermal drilling business more profitable.

How to Combat the Detrimental Effects of Turbidity

and Meet Rules and Regulations:  Polymer Enhanced Best
Management Practices

By Seva Iwinski, Applied Polymer Systems, Inc.

In everyday practices various rules and regulations must be met to stay in compliance and avoid paying large fi nes for discharging turbid water into the open environment. Have you ever stopped to ask yourself the simple question:  “WHY?” Why is it so important to keep turbidity out of our waterways? What is the underlying reason that we have all of these rules and regulations?

Erosion, sedimentation and other causes of turbid water causes surface water quality degradation. Fine particulates are a point of attachment for contaminants such as nutrients, phosphorous, bacteria, heavy metals, pesticides, and endocrine disruptors that have negative effects when discharged into varying waterways. These particulates make up turbidity which we measure in units called Nephelometric Turbidity Units (NTU’s).

While aesthetic effects caused by excess turbidity may look and seem unpleasant this does not even begin to compare to the detrimental effects that extremely low levels of turbidity have on aquatic life. Various studies have shown that as low as 10-100 NTU’s will start to affect aquatic life and fish will begin to show signs of stress. Turbidity, from extremely low levels to extremely high levels, has varying impacts on aquatic life. This happens through decreased light, food, and oxygen, mechanical effects, and temperature increases due to darker water.

Once we understand the effects turbidity has when it escapes into our waterways the next step is to determine what we can do to prevent this and if it has already occurred what we can do to remove it and clean the system up.  The idea is to be proactive, not just reactive. This is where Polymer Enhanced Best Management Practices (PEBMP’s) come into play.

By using anionic water soluble polymer technologies to enhance our current best management practices (BMPs) we are able to greatly reduce sediment and turbid water from leaving a site as well as reducing the amount of sediment in a given water body. Two possible solutions are: (1) capture or retain the sediment before it can wash into a water body or (2) use polymer enhancement to remove turbidity from contaminated waters. Through various tests and case studies, using polymer enhancement in conjunction with other BMPs a 95+ percent reduction in total suspended solids (TSS) and NTU’s can be found.

Therefore, to meet compliance standards, rules and regulations it is beneficial to look at the most common and effective Polymer Enhanced Best Management Practices (PEBMPs) that have been quantified and are currently being used across various geographical locations to control sedimentation at the source so that it is not transported into our waters and or to perform water clarification to reduce turbidity. Such Polymer Enhanced systems will include:  soil stabilization including polymer enhanced soft armoring applications, de-watering systems for water clarification, de-mucking, and SRBs (Sediment Retention Barriers).

Residential Hydraulics of Water Treatment

Larry Zinser, Master Water Conditioning Corporation

This session will apply the basic hydraulic principles to the private home water treatment systems. The speaker will follow a logical sequence of steps, beginning with static and dynamic head, progressing through pressure drops and increases, and ending with the procedures for calculating pressure drops and selecting pumps. Included

will be discussions of vented and closed systems, turbulent flow, cavitation, fi lter cartridges and media, pump curves and design points. Practical application problems will be introduced, discussed and solved during the session.

A Practical Introduction to PDC Drilling

By Tony Torquato, Torquato Drilling Accessories, Inc.

The introduction of PDC drilling bits has given professional drillers a real opportunity to both increase drilling production and lower overall drilling costs. The purpose of this presentation is to address the development of PDC drilling as well as providing some basic operational guidelines.

To begin, the letters PDC represent the product known as “polycrystalline diamond compacts”. These are the composite cutting tools used in the manufacture PDC bits. The typical PDC cutter is a 2-piece design product with a tungsten carbide back section onto which a thin cutting layer is attached.

In order to properly use the product I suggest you and your drillers learn how PDC cutters work. In operation, PDC bits are designed for very fast and effective drilling in soft to medium hard rock formations which include shale, sandstone and limestone. Unlike other drilling methods such as roller cone bits and air hammers which CRUSH the rock, PDC bits actually “shear” the rock - much like a knife moving across a stick of cold butter. This cutting method is very effective and develops far less torque than either of the previously mentioned methods of rock drilling.

Because PDC bits cut differently than other bits, they must be operated differently. Typically a PDC bit is run with much less drilling weight and much faster rotation speeds than either roller cone bits or air hammers. The driller must be constantly aware of these parameters and be ready to adjust either or both accordingly to achieve optimum bit performance.

The final issue to be discussed is bit condition. In order to maintain performance the bit must be inspected frequently. The operator should inspect the bit between runs to determine if any of the cutters have been damaged. In many cases the bits can be repaired or reconditioned at a reasonable cost.

The presentation will include a question and answer period to allow those in attendance to ask pertinent questions. Sample bits will be available for inspection and discussion purposes.

What Is PEXa Pipe and Why Does it Make a Great Ground Loop?

By Sean D. Custis, REHA U, Inc.

IGSHPA’s approval in their standards last fall of PEXa pipe and compression-sleeve fittings for geothermal applications has sparked U.S. market interest in this widely-used hydronic piping technology. This course provides an overview of the technical performance capabilities of PEXa pipe, fittings and manifolds, and the resulting benefits to system installers and building owners. Th rough hands-on product demonstrations, you will experience the superior material properties and security of a PEXa-based geothermal system.

By the end of the presentation, you’ll learn how a PEXa geothermal system can off er the building owner, engineer and architect a higher level of security, a more manageable ground loop controlled by a geothermal manifold and a greater degree of serviceability. You’ll also learn how a double U-bend can provide a more flexible, energy-efficient design.

For the contractor, you’ll discover how REHAU’s PEXa solution allows you to decrease installation time while increasing system security in any weather condition. You’ll see firsthand how the rugged properties of the system components will help to reduce callbacks, risk

of failure and installation costs. With a lower learning curve and greater security, you’ll understand how this system can help you differentiate yourself from others in your area.

As market interest in geothermal ground loops continues to grow, it’s not merely the number of installations, but the number of quality installations that will allow contractors, designers and customers to enjoy continued success.

Recommended Well Construction Practices

By Mike West, Halliburton Baroid

This presentation will be an overview on well construction best practices and understanding. We will begin with discussion on formation hydraulics and relate this to how geology dictates the method and bit selection for optimum drilling success. We will then discuss the difference in well construction in consolidated and unconsolidated aquifers emphasizing on best practices for protecting ground

water. We will then cover recommended grouting process and the need for grouting. Next a discussion on well development techniques will lead to discussion on proper well disinfection followed by open question and answer discussion.

Presentations on Friday

Drill Rig Health and Safety Workshop

by Bruce Mackay, Schramm, Inc.

This seminar addresses the important safety considerations in the transportation, set-up, operation, and maintenance of rotary tophead drilling rigs. Considering drill rig site set-up procedures, proper drill rig operation, proper drill rod handling (#1 cause of injury), as well as necessary maintenance practices, the class identifies the most frequent accidents and injuries, their cause, and how to prevent them. The seminar focuses on the health and safety of operating personnel as well as the drill rig itself. Eliminating accidents and injuries is the

primary goal of this session. Beyond personnel safety and prevention of injury the most important issue is the cost impact of these accidents on the business. Drill rigs are the single biggest investment for most drilling contractors. Accidents on drill rigs such as rollovers, compressor f res, electrical fires, and major mechanical equipment failure

can result in significant rig damage and repair costs. These costs combined with increased insurance costs can be threatening to the livelihood of the contractor’s business. Proper practice can minimize this risk while potentially cutting insurance costs for both liability and workman’s compensation coverage.

The New NGWA

“Guidelines for the Construction of Vertical Boreholes

for Closed Loop Heat Pump Systems”

by Todd Giddings, Todd Giddings and Associates, Inc.

The National Ground Water Association convened an expert panel to revise its 1997 document titled:  “Guidelines for the Construction of Vertical Boreholes for Closed Loop Heat Pump Systems”. Over a period of many months, the expert panel completely revised the guidance in the document up to the 2008 IGSHPA Standards and the current NGWA standards for grouting to protect ground-water quality.

As you are all aware, Pennsylvania has no standards for the construction of residential water wells, and also has no construction standards for closed loop geothermal boreholes. For geothermal boreholes, this new NGWA Guidance Document fills the need by providing guidelines that when followed, will result in geothermal boreholes that are properly constructed and are adequately grouted to protect Pennsylvania’s ground­water quality. This Guidance Document also addresses the proper use of antifreeze solutions, loop pipe testing, and loop decommissioning. By following these guidelines and the current IGSHPA Standards, you will know that you are properly constructing geothermal boreholes in Pennsylvania.

Hydrogeology 101

By W. Richard Laton, Ph.D., California State University-Fullerton

Obtain a better understanding of the implementation and result of proper well design and construction during this workshop, which provides an introduction/refresher on hydrogeology and the hydrologic cycle. The presentation will also cover various types of aquifers and groundwater quality.

The Benefits and Detriments of Using
Flowable Fill as a Grout Material
in Geothermal Boreholes

By Todd Giddings, Todd Giddings and Associates, Inc.

This presentation will show the use of flowable fill at both commercial and residential loop field sites, and will present recommendations for ground-water quality protection when flowable fill is used as a bridging agent in geothermal boreholes.

Flowable Fill is a construction material that is mixed in a concrete batch-plant and delivered in ready-mix concrete trucks to a construction site where it is commonly used to fill in voids in soil and bedrock to achieve an adequate bearing strength to support a building. It is a mixture of predominately sand, Portland cement, and water. A proprietary liquefying agent is added to make the mixture flow readily with a low viscosity.  In geothermal boreholes that encounter open bedrock fissures and solution openings that would drain away standard or thermally-enhanced bentonite grouts and cement grout, flowable fill is used as a bridging agent to fill the open voids and the geothermal borehole. Due to its sand and cement content, it has a high thermal conductivity. Because it is readily available from most concrete batch plants, requires no equipment on site to emplace it in the boreholes, will bridge and fill large bedrock solution openings, and has a high thermal conductivity, it is a popular replacement for cement and bentonite grouts in problem boreholes where a bridging material is required. Flowable fill is poured into the top of a geothermal borehole directly from the delivery chute of a ready-mix concrete truck without the use of a tremie pipe because it is not easily pumpable.

Because of its reduced cement content compared to cement grouts, flowable fill does not meet the impermeability requirements to protect ground-water quality. This presentation will show the use of flowable fill at both commercial and residential loop field sites, and will present recommendations for groundwater quality protection when flowable fill is used as a bridging agent

in geothermal boreholes.

Fleet Safety: Preventing Common Water
Well Driller Fleet Accidents

By Joserph J. Hogan, The Hartford Insurance Group

Prevent accidents and reduce operating costs by learning how to properly organize and manage your fleet vehicles and mobile equipment. This workshop also teaches you how to determine preventable accidents from those that are unpreventable, as well as how to properly train the drivers you entrust with your vehicles.

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Last modified: April 23, 2010.