WorldWide Drilling Resource

Sound Barrier for Horizontal Directional Drilling Adapted from Information by eNoise Control Many municipalities are replacing aging water supply and waste piping in densely populated areas by using horizontal directional drilling (HDD). Many of these areas have noise ordinances in place to protect nearby residents and businesses. To help alleviate the noise impact, contractors on HDD projects can use sound barrier walls. This allows for the completion of these critical infrastructure updates, while also adhering to local noise codes. The best solution for this type of project is an outdoor sound blanket or noise curtain wall. The outdoor blankets are man- ufactured to the height needed for the application. Velcro strips allow the panels to attach together and form a wall, while grommets on the panels provide an easy way to install them on any existing structure, such as a chain-link fence. The quick installation makes them ideal for tempo- rary drilling projects. After the project is complete, these rugged blankets can be taken down, folded, and stored or rein- stalled at another location. In one case, a university was installing a campus-wide geothermal system. The construction process involved HDD, and the university was concerned about the noise. They hired an acoustical consult- ant who specified temporary outdoor sound blankets for a solution. The blankets’ dimensions allowed for easier handl ing and instal lation, while covering an area 770 feet long and 15 feet high, which was sufficient height to block the unwanted drilling and construction noise. For support, the blankets were attached to a structure designed to withstand the local wind load. Environmental Monitoring by Thomas Kwader, Ph.D., P.G. Expand Your Business with Groundwater Source Heat Pumps The efficiency of groundwater (geothermal) heat pumps for commercial buildings and homes contin- ues to climb while the cost of the units is coming down. First, let’s define a few different types of ground- water heat pump scenarios. Note: The “cool thing” about groundwater source heat pumps is they are efficient in the summer and winter temperatures because of the high specific heat capacity water (a subject for another day). 1) Closed-loop is where the water line is buried with hundreds of feet of high-density polyethylene pipe. As the water is heated in the heat exchange unit, it circulates in the pipe - generally at depths of three or more feet underground. Not much groundwater is used in this type of system being a closed circulatory loop. 2) Another type of system is where well water is pumped once through the heat exchange unit then discharged into a pond or lake. These systems may be banned in some areas because of the consumptive use of the well water. 3) Similar to 2, except the water is returned to the ground through a shallower well or into the same aquifer source, which in some states is called a closed-loop system if the heated water is returned to the same zone. Note: It is important to place the withdrawal well upgradient and the discharge in another well a sufficient distance downgradient so the pumping well does not intercept the heated water - usually a hundred feet or so away is plenty depending on the size of the heat pump unit/house and characteristics of the aquifer (permeability, gradient, etc.) The reason drilling contractors should learn more about groundwater source heat pumps are: A) Diversifying into other types of well drilling expands your business line for new and existing construction. B) Geothermal units are good for the environment, very energy efficient as compared with air to air type units. It is advisable to develop a relationship with a mechanical engineering consultant who can design and help sell this product to clients for you. Also, go online to learn more about it. Tom Tom Kwader may be contacted via e-mail to michele@worldwidedrillingresource.com DIR ENV 55 WorldWide Drilling Resource ® AUGUST 2018