National Driller articles from August 2005

National Driller archives from August 2005

From over the transom.(For Openers)
August 1, 2005... Geothermal Popularity Our recent series, "The Geothermal Industry Beckons," concludes with part 3 this month (see page 10). Reader feedback on these articles has been such that, in order to save a lot of people some time, we're going to...

The Geothermal Industry Beckons: guidelines for direct-exchange installations, Part 3.(Cover Story)
August 1, 2005... There are a couple key recommendations to follow when drilling or excavating for a direct-exchange (DX) geothermal field. Before the soil is disturbed, of course, the site must be inspected to ensure the absence of electric, gas, water, sewer,...

After the drilling, grouting takes center stage.
August 1, 2005... Installation of an earth loop system normally requires the need for drilling permits from the local oversight agency. The permitting fees and grout seal depth requirements for the boreholes often vary, depending on the stated expectations...

Coming events.(Calendar)
August 1, 2005... AUGUST 11-13 Kansas Water Quality Association Convention Medicine Lodge, Kan. Phone: 620-886-5016 SEPTEMBER 21-24 Association of Water Technologies Convention & Expo [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Palm Springs, Calif....

Variable frequency drives--Part 3: the fundamentals of pumped water systems.(Tech Topics)
August 1, 2005... This is the third and last article in our series on variable frequency drives (VFDs). So far, we have seen that a VFD is a solid-state inverter that can be used in two basic ways in pumping applications: to increase the rotational speed of a...

Things you can learn from junk mail: it's sneaky, manipulative and kills way too many trees--but think about why there's so much of it.(Smart Business)
August 1, 2005... Just say "yes" and we'll send you these eye-opening secrets absolutely free. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Say "yes" to what? Hardly matters. Soon as people see "eye-opening secrets," they get hooked. Deep down, we all want to know secrets,...

Golf factoids--pertinent and otherwise.(From the "Various and Sundry" files)
August 1, 2005... It's likely we're all aware that August is National Water Quality Month, water quality being something water professionals regard with the uppermost esteem. August also happens to be National Golf Month, golf being something that many of our...

Geotechnical drilling and sampling.
August 1, 2005... The purpose of a drilling and sampling program is to obtain samples that reasonably represent subsurface conditions over the entire project site. Sampling type and frequency is dependent upon both the type of material encountered and the...

Ardco Water Buggy.(Product Showcase: Support Vehicles)(Buyers Guide)
August 1, 2005... A versatile machine to aid your next drilling project, this heavy-duty Ardco Water Buggy from Rig Source Inc. features a 1,400-gallon water tank, 200-gallon auxiliary fuel tank, storage boxes and flat fenders for casing and drill rod storage....

All-aluminum pump hoist.(Product Showcase: Support Vehicles)(Buyers Guide)
August 1, 2005... REICHdrill Inc.'s HELPR--EAGLE one is an all-aluminum four-wheel drive pump hoist that features a hydraulic extendable boom and maximum single-line capacity of 12,000 pounds. The main winch offers a 6,000-pound maximum single-line pull; a...

Service unit.(Product Showcase: Support Vehicles)(Buyers Guide)
August 1, 2005... The P10HD3L, the all-new Ultimate Service Unit from Pulstar, offers a 15,000-pound capacity. It features an onboard welder/generator with heliarc capabilities, four-point outrigger system, hydraulic raising/lowering pipe racks, sandline,...

Modern waterbed.(Product Showcase: Support Vehicles)(Buyers Guide)
August 1, 2005... Amthor Inc. manufactures the Nautiless waterbed. The Nautiless body features a more modern curvature rather than the typical square design. The body is available from 700 gallons to 3,500 gallons and is constructed from aluminum, stainless...

Support vehicle.(Product Showcase: Support Vehicles)(Buyers Guide)
August 1, 2005... The RBT-Rig Buddy from Flatwater Fleet Inc. provides 400- to 800-gallon capacities. It features a 10-foot open deck length with cargo straps, auxiliary fuel tank with transfer pump, vertical cabinets, night lighting, toolboxes, underbody...

Hydraulic pump hoist.(Product Showcase: Support Vehicles)(Buyers Guide)
August 1, 2005... Used for installation of large submersible pumps, line shaft turbines and well completion to depths of 700 feet, SEMCO Inc.'s S8,000 hydraulic pump hoist offers a 22,000-pound capacity. It consists of a 36-foot telescoping mast and...

Powered pipe racks.(Product Showcase: Support Vehicles)(Buyers Guide)
August 1, 2005... Smeal Manufacturing Co. is introducing a new line of pipe racks for its 3T, 4T, 5T and 6T pump hoists. They are powered pipe racks: The rack pivots on the front frame of the hoist and powers down the rear portion of the rack for 15 inches,...

New truck bed.(Product Showcase: Support Vehicles)(Buyers Guide)
August 1, 2005... The Retriever from UP-N-ATOM Inc. is a new truck bed for hauling heavy construction equipment. The hydraulic system has been eliminated and the Retriever uses the truck's own air system as the power source to raise and lower the curved, hinged...

Foundation grouting and drainage of dams.
August 1, 2005... When dealing with dams founded on rock, it is customary to grout and drain the foundation rock of concrete gravity dams. This practice works well for defective as well as sound formations. A well-planned, well-executed grouting program not only...

Scholarships awarded.(NewScope)
August 1, 2005... A total of $7,000 to has been awarded to six students by the Len Assante Scholarship Fund of the National Ground Water Research and Educational Foundation (NGWREF). [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Andrew Rieschick of Falls City, Nebraska, won...

Water exec predicts takeovers, concerns.(NewScope)
August 1, 2005... Aqua America Inc. chairman and CEO Nicholas DeBenedictis argued for the need for the U.S. water industry to adopt long-term business models that help improve the nation's water infrastructure at the recent annual National Conference of...

EPA leader stresses water security theme.(NewScope)
August 1, 2005... We hear from our helpful friends at watertechnoline.com: In his first interview with reporters since being confirmed by the Senate as U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) administrator, Stephen L. Johnson told the Los Angeles Times...

Grundfos hires Baskin.(NewScope)
August 1, 2005... Grundfos Pumps Corp. has announced that 14-year pump industry veteran Kerry Baskins has taken the position of U.S. OEM sales manager--industry segment. Baskins has worked in several senior management positions, most recently as vice...

A new European association.(NewScope)
August 1, 2005... A new Brussels-based association for the European water and wastewater industry was formally inaugurated in June with the election of its board of directors and of Peter-Lorenz Schmidt, of BWT, the Austrian water technology group, to be the...

Ultimate trash to treasure: turning poultry waste into toxin-grabbing char.
August 1, 2005... Humans and charcoal have a long association. The familiar briquettes heating our backyard grills can trace their origins to charcoal that was formed by humans thousands of years ago for fuel. Char is created when an organic material--usually...

Rehabilitation of relief wells.
August 1, 2005... The analysis of well discharge records and accompanying piezometric data often will indicate whether the relief wells are functioning as intended. A decrease in well discharges with time for similar pool or river stages with rising piezometric...

'06 lecture series announcements.(NewScope)
August 1, 2005... The presenters of the 2006 McEllhiney and Darcy Lecture Series have been announced. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Drilling rig expert Fred McAninch of Indianapolis has been selected to present the William A. McEllhiney Distinguished Lecture...

Habitat for Humanity Blitz Build in Detroit: publisher of National Driller lends a hand.
August 1, 2005... Habitat for Humanity International's motto is "A hand up, not a hand out." Dozens of employees lent their hands--and hearts--in building BNP Media-sponsored House #20, one of 31 homes dedicated June 24 as part of Habitat for Humanity's Jimmy...

Well cleaning agent.(Product Info)(Buyers Guide)
August 1, 2005... Johnson Screens' NuWell 100 is a dry, pelletized acid that sinks in water for cleaning wells. It cleans calcium and magnesium carbonate scale, iron deposits and moderate biological growth. NuWell 100 contains an inhibitor to protect metal...

Engine-driven welder.(Product Info)(Buyers Guide)
August 1, 2005... The Ranger 300 DLX from Lincoln Electric Co. offers 300 amps of AC or DC output. Engine-driven, it is a welding power source for stick, TIG, MIG, flux-cored and gouging processes. The Ranger 300 features a water-cooled diesel engine, automatic...

Submersible turbine pumps.(Product Info)(Buyers Guide)
August 1, 2005... Suitable for commercial, industrial, agricultural and municipal applications, National Pump Co.'s submersible turbine pumps are capable of producing capacities to 10,000 gpm, with heads up to 1,440 feet. All 6-inch pumps are threaded...

Water well drill.(Product Info)(Buyers Guide)
August 1, 2005... The Driltech Marlin 6 by Sandvik Mining and Construction is a truck-mounted, top-drive water well drill. Depending on equipment, it drills using mud rotary, down-the-hole hammer, or casing hammer methods. Pullback is 36,000 pounds. A typical...

Tie-back attachment.(Product Info)(Buyers Guide)
August 1, 2005... Bay Shore Systems offers a tie-back attachment for an existing excavator. This tie-back attachment features full-function controls placed in the cab, from which operators can run the full spectrum of tie-back functions. The Bay Shore attachment...

Potassium Permanganate.(Product Info)(Buyers Guide)
August 1, 2005... Potassium Permanganate from Cuno Water Group is used to regenerate greensand iron filters and is a strong oxidizing agent that converts dissolved iron and manganese to insoluble oxides, which are filterable. The 24-ounce bottles come in a case...

New transmission for slow speeds.(Product Info)(Buyers Guide)
August 1, 2005... Cotta Transmission Co. has announced the launch of a new Hydrostatic Motor "Creep" Drive. This transmission is designed to be installed in the vehicle driveline, between the main transmission and the drive, allowing the vehicle to creep along...

Culvert-cleaning attachments.(Product Info)(Buyers Guide)
August 1, 2005... Harr Technologies offers culvert-cleaning attachments for HDD machines. The barrel reamer with fins and water jets rotates through the clogged culvert pipe, mixing water with the debris inside. The push or pull bucket then is used to remove the...

Mini data logger.(Product Info)(Buyers Guide)
August 1, 2005... Onset Computer Corp.'s HOBO Pendant Logger is a miniature data logger that records underwater temperature and light levels at depths of up to 100 feet. The HOBO Pendant provides +/-0.5[degrees]C accuracy and up to 52,000 readings, making it...

Solar-powered piston pump.(Product Info)(Buyers Guide)
August 1, 2005... The Solar Force Piston Pump from Dankoff Solar Products Inc. draws water from a shallow well, spring, pond, river or tank. It can push water uphill and over long distances for home, village, irrigation or livestock uses. It can use power...

Precision chemical injection.(Product Info)(Buyers Guide)
August 1, 2005... The Chemilizer CP33 from Chemilizer Products Inc. is a automatic chemical injection unit that provides an attached flow meter for calculations regarding delivery of chemicals into the water. The design allows a single injector model to be used...

Four-inch submersible pump.(Product Info)(Buyers Guide)
August 1, 2005... The standard 4-inch AquaDuty 4400 submersible pump from Franklin Pump Systems features hydraulics designed to improve efficiency and minimize wear, even when pumping abrasives (sand). The ceramic shaft sleeve and rubber discharge bearing are...

Green water.(The World According to Wayne)
August 1, 2005... I was reading up on the Stronger Clean Water Act--and a bunch of other proposals meant to make our water "safe for the children"--with great interest 'cause everybody wants clean water. At least I thought so until I figured out that anyone who...

Drilling with foresight and a plan.(Drilling Fluids)
August 1, 2005... With many projects, large or small, much planning and consideration go into the project before the work actually starts--for example, pouring a driveway. It may be best to first check with the city or county to see if any building permits or...

Ancient water technologies conference readied in Greece.(NewScope)
August 1, 2005... The International Water Association reminds us of the conference, "Water and Wastewater Technologies in Ancient Civilizations," takes place in Greece, Oct. 28-30, 2006. The principal aims of the conference: * To reveal the cultural...

Deep Foundations conference set.(NewScope)
August 1, 2005... The Deep Foundations Institute will be holding its 30th Annual Members' Meeting and Conference on Deep Foundations in Chicago, Sept. 22-24. The conference will consist of four half-day sessions of technical presentations as follows: *...

Huge desalination plant for Algeria.(NewScope)
August 1, 2005... GE Infrastructure, Water & Process Technologies, a unit of General Electric Co., joined the Algerian government, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, and the Algerian Energy Company (AEC), in announcing plans to build Hamma Water...

Hearings focus on clean water.(Legislative Update)
August 1, 2005... The House Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee held two hearings in June exploring investment approaches to bridge the growing clean water-funding gap. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Congressional Budget Office, the...

A ban sought on Great Lakes drilling.(Legislative Update)
August 1, 2005... A coalition of lawmakers in Congress want a permanent ban on oil and gas drilling in the Great Lakes. A temporary ban on drilling was set by Congress in 2001 and has been extended twice. The moratorium is set to expire in 2007. ...

Ground water funding included in Senate bill.(Legislative Update)
August 1, 2005... A U.S. Senate bill includes $1 million to help preserve the city of Memphis' ground water. The Fiscal Year 2006 Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations bill earmarks $500,000 to support the Mississippi, Arkansas, Tennessee Regional...

North Carolina considers banning MTBE additive.(Legislative Update)
August 1, 2005... North Carolina could become the first state in the Southeast to ban MTBE under a bill that has been approved by the state Senate. Supporters have said the ban is needed because MTBE has leaked from underground storage tanks into ground...

Perchlorate tracking system is opposed.(Legislative Update)
August 1, 2005... In a new report to Congress, the General Accountability Office (GAO) has recommended the EPA establish a formal system for tracking the detection of perchlorate contamination and cleanup activities. The GAO report found that perchlorate has...

California circulates its 2005 water plan.(Legislative Update)
August 1, 2005... In the public review draft of the state water plan 2005 update, the California Department of Water Resources director has laid out strategies for how the state can meet its water challenges. Water officials recently toured the state seeking...

Water Technology Research Center.(NewScope)
August 1, 2005... The University of California Los Angeles' (UCLA) Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science has formed a new Water Technology Research Center that will develop technologies to turn brackish or seawater into fresh water. Researchers...

A convention to be remembered.(Porky's Hole Thoughts)
August 1, 2005... Bess and I just returned from 10 days of attending the 45th annual American Dowsers Society (ADS) Convention at the Lyndonville State College in Lyndonville, Vt. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] This was one of the most enjoyable and fun...

Keller gets a new Schramm.(Trading Post)
August 1, 2005... Schramm Inc. recently delivered a new T300M Rotadrill to Keller Well Drilling Inc., Brighton, Mich., at the Michigan Ground Water Assocation's annual convention. Pictured with the new rig are Dave and Brian Keller. Tom Wardell, Schramm regional...

GEFco delivers to L & H Co.(Trading Post)
August 1, 2005... L & H Co. (Hall Well Drilling), Montross, Va., proudly accepts delivery of a GEFco 15K-HL tophead rotary well drill. Pictured from the left: Rocky Milano, GEFco regional manager; Todd Saunders and Don Hall of Hall's Well Drilling. Larry West,...

A new Schramm for BLC Well Drilling.(Trading Post)
August 1, 2005... BLC Well Drilling & Pump Service, Milltown, Wis., recently took delivery of a new Schramm T450WS Rotadrill. Pictured is Mark Bauman of Boart Longyear, Northern Air Wisconsin, delivering the rig to Brian and Larry Cox of BLC. Regional sales...

United buys from Higgins.(Trading Post)
August 1, 2005... Tim Volking, United Drilling Inc., Hayden, Idaho, purchased this 1999 Ingersoll-Rand T3W from Higgins Rig Co., Hodgenville, Ky. His unit is equipped with a 900/350 compressor, 3406 Cat deck engine and mounted on 1999 International truck. ...

Kleiman receives its 4th Flatwater.(Trading Post)
August 1, 2005... Harry Kleiman (right) and Michael Eldridge (center), Kleiman Well & Pump, Iron Mountain, Mich., purchased their fourth RTT-Rig Tender from Dave Cekalla (left) of Flatwater Fleet Inc. This 2,100-gallon unit has many options, including rear...

Smith works with D & L Thomas.(Trading Post)
August 1, 2005... Jeff Smith, owner of Smith Well Drilling, Niverville, N.Y., recently obtained this new Pulstar, mounted on a 550 Ford with custom-built all-aluminum flatbed. This is the second time Jeff has turned to D & L Thomas for his pump hoisting needs....

Jantzen acquires a Pulstar.(Trading Post)
August 1, 2005... Ed Jantzen recently visited the Pulstar Mfg. facility in Dodge, Neb., to pick up the new Pulstar P10000HD3L pump hoist he purchased through Venture Drilling Supply, Tahlequah, Okla. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Higgins sells to Matheson.(Trading Post)
August 1, 2005... Trusty Matheson, Matheson Drilling Inc., Gillette, Wyo., bought this 1981 Midway 1300 from Higgins Rig Co., Hodgenville, Ky. This unit is equipped with 100S2 Leroi compressor, 5-by-6 mud pump, 400-gallon water tank and is mounted on a 1981...

Atlas Copco marketplace.(PREOWNED EQUIPMENT)
August 1, 2005... 1991 IR RD10A S/N 2918 Mounted on a Pettibone 8X4 carrier powered with a Detroit 6L71N (238 HP) engine, 13 speed Fuller transmission, IR VHP 1050/350 air, 2 motor spur gear rotary head, pig style lubricator, 70,000 LB pullback, 4,000 LB...