WorldWide Drilling Resource

63 WorldWide Drilling Resource ® AUGUST 2014 The Drop Pipe that Pays You! by Tracy Keck Hose Solutions, Inc. When you decide to build or reha- bilitate a water well system, the great- est concern is generally the cost. Next, is usually the flow rate or gallons per minute (gpm). Most people want the best pump, best screen, cheapest con- tractor, and cheapest drop pipe. But what many do not realize is, selecting the cheapest drop pipe eliminates the biggest opportunity for return on invest- ment. The drop pipe is the only part of the system which is going to actually pay for itself, and then some, over time. The type of riser capable of the high- est return is flexible drop pipe. This pipe is a polyurethane lay-flat discharge hose used to hang submersible pumps (sub- mersible turbines included) in water wells. There are many superior qualities about flexible drop pipe, such as total corrosion resistance, contin- uous lengths, light- weight, and easy installation and re- trievals. A 50-year warranty on stan- dard water wells proves quality, re- liability, and peace of mind. Often, the most overlooked and largest benefit for performance and investment is less fric- tion (head) loss, which offers the best flow rate. Friction loss is the loss of energy or “head” which occurs in pipe flow due to viscous effects generated by the interior surface of the pipe, and other factors. For example, use a brand new piece of 4-inch steel set at 100 feet. Your aver- age friction loss is around 6.5 feet while achieving a flow rate of 350 gpm. When using the 4-inch flexible drop pipe at 100 feet while achieving the same 350 gpm, the friction loss is only about 2.5 feet. This is huge. So, flexible drop pipe is frequently at least twice as efficient as new steel on day one. This gap w i l l d r a s t i c a l l y increase over time when s t ee l co r - rodes, has pitting, and gathers scal- ing and bui ldup, while flexible drop pipe does not. The drop pipe wi l l expand and cont ract sl ight ly under pressure, reducing the fric- tion and al lowing the water to flow more efficiently. This same process also helps prevent any particles from adher ing to the pipe, helping to make it totally non- corrosive. This is a huge benefit when it comes to gallons pe r mi nu t e and energy consumed. Smal ler f lexible drop pipe is often used to achieve the same gal lons per minute as larger steel . Energy bi l ls are drast ical ly reduced, while the pump life lengthens. Tracy Tracy Keck may be contacted via e-mail at admin@ worldwidedrillingresource.com Iron bacteria. " # # # " "# # ! #! % # !! " ! " "# ! & ! % ! # ' ! & !! #' " $!"# " # " ##" " " " " $# " !!! Here are some unique uses for sodium bicarbon- ate, better known as bak- ing soda: Hunting - There’s no need to buy expensive scent- blocking clothing and sprays, control your scent while hunting with good old-fashioned baking soda. Wash your hunting clothes in baking soda. Mix 1/4 cup of baking soda in 1 quart of warm water and place in a plastic spray bottle. Use just as you would a com- mercial spray, spraying your hair, clothes and skin. Respray often, but avoid the eyes. Fish and Game - Remove the gamy taste of your wild game by soaking in a baking soda solution. This also works to remove the fishy smell from your fillets.