WorldWide Drilling Resource

Evolution of Thermal Grout Adapted from Information by GeoPro, Inc. Prior to founding GeoPro, Inc. in 1995, Charles Remund, Ph.D. conducted research at South Dakota State University looking at the effect grouting materials had on ground heat exchanger performance. This research showed there was a need for a ther- mally-enhanced grout - Thermal Grout (TG) to help drive costs down and help move the industry forward. In 1996, GeoPro in- troduced the first version, Thermal Grout 85, to the geothermal heat pump industry. Using TG products, drilling contractors are able to reduce the initial installation costs of a ground heat exchanger by decreasing the total length of installed bore. These savings promote more cost-effective systems, which in turn, drives demand for geother- mal systems, providing more work for all drilling professionals. The unique blen of bentonite found in TG Lite and TG Select products is specifically designed to optimize the performance of ground heat exchangers for the geothermal heating and cooling industry. The recent introduction of PowerTECx has made GeoPro’s Thermal Grout products even more user friendly and cost effec- tive by eliminating or significantly reducing the need for silica sand on the jobsite. GeoPro's Thermal Grout and PowerTECx products are certif ied by NSF to conform to ANSI/NSF Standard 60. GeoPro is the only grout manufacturer to publish third- party permeability results in the industry. The products are proudly manufactured in the United States. Over the years, the company has de- veloped a modest demand for this product overseas, but the majority of its customers are American com- panies operating in the U.S.A. The company’s internal quality control program ensures each production run is done to the highest standards. This leads to the kind of product consistency expected by its cus- tomers, which is why the majority of customers are repeat users of TG products. When it comes to thermally-enhanced grouts, GeoPro continues to set the standard by which all others measure their success. Innovations from Merrill Manufacturing Merrill Manufacturing introduced the Multi-Size Wire Connector as an answer to an old problem. The product will connect wire sizes #4 or #6 to #10 or #12 to make heavy wire down to the pump easy to splice to pump lead wires. The company also has two new lead-free heavy-duty pressure switches; and the new control switch design combines a heavy-duty pressure switch and pump control box into one piece. Heavy-Duty Pressure Switch Control Switch Multi-Size Wire Connector 59 WorldWide Drilling Resource ® SEPTEMBER 2016