National Driller articles from December 2003

National Driller archives from December 2003

And another thing ...(For Openers)
December 1, 2003... Two recent polls on your favorite drilling-related Web site (www.drilleronline.com) reveal that 1) the preponderance of drilling projects are bid jobs and 2) "securing necessary permits" finishes somewhere just above "prostate exam" on the...

Pump selection--part 2: performance curves: the fundamentals of pumped water systems.(Tech Topics)
December 1, 2003... An understanding of pump performance curves is an important part of a pump installer's storehouse of knowledge. It is crucial to pump selection and can mean the difference between an efficient water system and one that is marginally...

Coming events.(Calendar)
December 1, 2003... DECEMBER 2-6 Northwest Mining Association Meeting & Expo Spokane, Wash. Phone: 509-624-1158 www.nwma.org 8-9 Underground Infrastructure Advanced Technology Conference Washington, D.C. Phone: 330-467-7588 ...

Against the wind: bad-mouthing competitors has a way of coming back to splatter you.(Smart Business)
December 1, 2003... "Serendipity" is a fancy word that means making a meaningful discovery by accident. The term has come into play quite a bit during recent years' thanks to the Internet. As you've probably learned for yourself, search engines often take you to...

Down hole drill series.(What to Look for in 2004)
December 1, 2003... Ingersoll-Rand's new Total Depth down hole drill (DHD) series is engineered for performance and reliability. The Total Depth series currently is available in five configurations: TD35, TD60, TD65, TD85 and TD90, with the TD50, TD55 and TD80...

Multi-purpose rig line.(What to Look for in 2004)
December 1, 2003... Taylor Rigs' multi-purpose SS line is designed to move fast, rig up quick and provide maximum drilling performance. The system includes redundant rotary and/or top drive drilling systems, integrated substructure with work platform and BOP...

Ariel air boosters.(What to Look for in 2004)
December 1, 2003... Keystone Drill Services Inc. packages single-stage and two-stage Ariel air boosters. These boosters are made to order, allowing the customer to choose the engine, skid size, frame and cylinder size as well as the paint scheme. These units are...

High-chromium hard-facing wire.(What to Look for in 2004)
December 1, 2003... HARDERN-Helle CRC2, a high-chromium hard-facing wire, now is available in 0.045-inch diameter, in both 10pound and 25-pound spools. With lower current and amperage requirements, it is engineered to be an alloy against severe abrasion. Developed...

Dual rotary drill.(What to Look for in 2004)
December 1, 2003... Foremost Industries' new DR-12W is designed to be the dual rotary drill for open-hole drillers. Equipped with a carousel, a new mast that allows the top drive to come off the hole and an 18,000-pound draw works winch, the DR-12W provides the...

Lost circulation material offered.(What to Look for in 2004)
December 1, 2003... Baroid announces that its N-SEAL acid-soluble lost circulation material now is NSF/ANSI Standard 60 Certified. The N-SEAL material promotes hole stability by aiding in the reduction or elimination of mud losses to the formation as well as...

Reverse circulation tool.(What to Look for in 2004)
December 1, 2003... Mills Machine offers a new tool for the drilling industry--a reverse circulation underreamer designed to enlarge the hole below the casing. It is lowered inside the casing in the closed position and opens through contact and centrifugal force....

High-flow submersible.(What to Look for in 2004)
December 1, 2003... The new 90-gpm 4-inch submersible stainless steel pump from AERMOTOR is engineered to deliver efficient and dependable performance even in rough and aggressive water. With heads up to 410 feet and capabilities as high as 120 gpm, the 90-gpm...

Submersible pumps.(What to Look for in 2004)
December 1, 2003... Sta-Rite's new S.T.E.P. Plus D Series 4-inch submersible pumps feature both drawdown capability and reduced amp draw in a heavy-walled, corrosion-resistant, 300-grade stainless steel shell. Designed for the anaerobic cistern and effluent...

Drill rig upgrades.(What to Look for in 2004)
December 1, 2003... Driltech Engineering and Rotary Drilling have teamed up to offer upgrades on all 2004 T25KW drilling rigs. Fold-up walkways and platforms ease setup and a 240-gallon fuel tank increases running time. Also added are new feed timing sprockets and...

Single-phase control box.(What to Look for in 2004)
December 1, 2003... Grundfos' new single-phase control box is available for 3-wire submersible motors in sizes from 1/3 HP to 1 HP. The SASPM-5 is designed with a built-in pull disconnect capable of removing voltage from the starting components and the motor....

DTH hammers upgraded.(What to Look for in 2004)
December 1, 2003... The new Mission 60 and 60W DTH hammers feature a longer driver than their predecessors, providing additional wear protection for the piston case. And the outside diameter has been increased by 0.1 inch. The Mission 60 is tuned for compressors...

Rig with 90,000 pounds of pull-up.(What to Look for in 2004)
December 1, 2003... Schramm introduces the T90XD. Utilizing Telemast technology, the T90XD provides 90,000 pounds of pull-up in a compact package. Mounted on a Sterling 9501, this drill rig offers rotary tophead performance, along with the Telemast feed system and...

Piston mud pump.(What to Look for in 2004)
December 1, 2003... A Rupe pump manufactured and sold exclusively by DeepRock Manufacturing is a hydraulic-powered positive displacement piston mud pump. The unit is capable of 250 gallons per minute at 400 psi. This unit is small in size and light in weight....

Submersible pump check valve body.(What to Look for in 2004)
December 1, 2003... Danfoss Flomatic Corp. introduces a new submersible pump check valve body--model 100XLE--with extra-long threaded connections for use with PVC drop pipe and other applications where extra length is needed. This product features an unleaded...

Well cleaning brush.(What to Look for in 2004)
December 1, 2003... Cotey Chemical Corp. introduces the J200 and J400 model well cleaning brushes. The brushes are designed to clean all types of casing and screen by simultaneously agitating, surging and scrubbing. The brush can be run on either cable or pipe....

Constant pressure system.(What to Look for in 2004)
December 1, 2003... Flint & Walling introduces the Pro-75 and Pro-150 series constant pressure systems in 1.5-HP and 3-HP configurations. These complete systems are specifically engineered for use with the Franklin Sub-Drive 75 and 150 controllers. The systems...

Grout plant is versatile.(What to Look for in 2004)
December 1, 2003... The ChemGrout Geothermal Series grout plant can be used with thermally enhanced bentonites, polymer/granular bentonites, geothermal grouts and neat cements. Both mixer and pump feature centrally located, variable speed controls. The mixer...

Low-clearance drill available.(What to Look for in 2004)
December 1, 2003... The CME-55LC from Central Mine Equipment Co. has a feed-and-retract system and a quickdisconnect mast that allows working under overhead restrictions, such as bridges. With the mast disconnected, the overall working height of the CME-55LC is 11...

Ground protection mats.(What to Look for in 2004)
December 1, 2003... AlturnaMats' ground protection VersaMats feature a new slip-resistant finish and are available in 4-foot by 8-foot and a variety of other sizes. The 1/2-inch thick polyethylene mats are designed to withstand 60-ton loads. New Turn-a-Links lock...

Full line of rock drilling inserts.(What to Look for in 2004)
December 1, 2003... American National Carbide produces a full line of tungsten carbide rock drilling inserts used in water well, oil and gas, mining and construction applications. Products for use in tricone bits are furnished ground or unground and include a wide...

Threaded drop pipe.(What to Look for in 2004)
December 1, 2003... Certain Teed introduces the KWIK-SET threaded drop pipe for submersible pumps. The SCH80 pipe, available in 1-inch and 1 1/4-inch diameter sizes, is used for pumping water from underground wells for a variety of applications, including homes...

Lost circulation material.(What to Look for in 2004)
December 1, 2003... Plugz-it/Max is a lost circulation material designed to be mixed and pumped with a drilling fluid into cobble, gravel or fractured zones to restore mud circulation. The product can be added as a pill at the lost circulation zone or can be added...

New metal hide-drant.(What to Look for in 2004)
December 1, 2003... New for 2004, Merrill Manufacturing presents its removable sanitary yard hydrant, which now features a metal construction. The riser pipe is 3/4-inch galvanized pipe with a 3/4-inch shut-off valve and vacuum breaker included. See this new...

Hydraulic grout pump.(What to Look for in 2004)
December 1, 2003... A 7 1/2-inch hydraulic grout pump from Armstrong Machine features a 7 1/2-inch liner and piston, along with an FC-standard valve and seat. Approximate dimensions of the unit are 84 inches by 36 inches by 62 inches. The pump weighs approximately...

Waterbed.(What to Look for in 2004)
December 1, 2003... Amthor Inc. introduces the Nautiless waterbed--a product that can be tailored to the customer's needs. With the body available from 700 gallons to 3,500 gallons, it is constructed from aluminum, stainless steel or steel with 16 standard stake...

Mud recycling system.(What to Look for in 2004)
December 1, 2003... KEM-TRON has announced a new line of recycle-only systems designed for use with an existing mud system. The Samba MINI can process anywhere from 65 gpm to 500 gpm, depending on the hydrocyclones. It features a 1,000-gallon, two-compartment tank...

Drill rig introduced.(What to Look for in 2004)
December 1, 2003... Sonic Drill introduces its new drilling rig, the SDC-500-28. This rig features 28 feet of head travel and the Sonicor 50K drill head. Sonic Drill Corp., Card No. 228 [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Series of hammers.(What to Look for in 2004)
December 1, 2003... Eastern Driller's presents its new "T" series of drilling hammers, the T6-12 and T8 hammers. The T6-12 is its newest 6-inch hammer, developed to run at the speed demanded in today's market. The T8 hammer is the newest 8-inch hammer with fewer...

DTH crawler.(What to Look for in 2004)
December 1, 2003... The new ROC L6H DTH surface crawler rig from Atlas Copco covers applications from small quarry operations to high-production drilling on a large scale in cement, limestone and open-pit mines. A 475-HP CAT C12 engine drives the ROC L6H. The boom...

Mud pump packages.(What to Look for in 2004)
December 1, 2003... Centerline Manufacturing now offers diesel-powered mud pump packages--available with Centerline's Triplex, Duplex or Mono model pumps, skid- or trailer-mounted. Here, a Triplex mud pump on an 8-by-10 skid is powered by a Volvo Penta diesel...

Casing hammer is introduced.(What to Look for in 2004)
December 1, 2003... Atlas Manufacturing Ltd. has introduced the 4000B casing hammer. The unit weighs 4,750 pounds and provides 7,850 pounds of driving energy. Despite being made without cylinders or valves or timing devices, the 4000B uses a hydraulic system to...

Air-vacuum excavation system.(What to Look for in 2004)
December 1, 2003... Vacmasters' system 1000 presents drilling contractors, utility contractors and environmental consultants with an air-vacuum excavation system with selectable air or water digging capabilities. This product comes in trailer, truck or...

DTH bits.(What to Look for in 2004)
December 1, 2003... Mincon Rockdrills now offers a comprehensive DTH bit range. A wide variety of shanks are available for all drilling needs, including water well, blast hole, oil and gas, rock anchor, ground consolidation, pile, seismic, geothermal, directional...

A thermally conductive grout.(What to Look for in 2004)
December 1, 2003... Developed to heighten the performance of ground source heat loop applications, CETCO's geothermal grout is a blend of high-solids bentonite that can be mixed with sand in a two-part thermally conductive grout. This grout can meet a range of...

Booster system.(What to Look for in 2004)
December 1, 2003... The BOOSTER MAC multi-stage booster pump system with Hydrascan from A.Y. McDonald comes in three-stage (3/4 HP) and fourstage (1 HP) models. It is designed to boost inadequate or inconsistent municipal water supplies, supply household pressure...

HDD system.(What to Look for in 2004)
December 1, 2003... The new Ditch Witch JT1220 Mach 1 is a compact, 12,000-pound horizontal directional drilling (HDD) system. Despite having the highest horsepower in its class, it is developed to produce the least amount of noise--less than 100 dBA. Its minimal...

Programming with flexibility.(What to Look for in 2004)
December 1, 2003... Water Right's Impression Series water softeners are designed to offer programming flexibility, allowing users to customize the system for any application. Six levels of programming and display include an automatic-cycle sequence feature that...

Carbide design innovation for DTH bits.(What to Look for in 2004)
December 1, 2003... Rockmore International's focus in 2004 will be continued innovation on carbide design for DTH bits. A full selection of carbide profile designs will be offered to optimize bit performance. Each carbide design will be suited for a particular...

Hydraulically driven submersible trash pump.(What to Look for in 2004)
December 1, 2003... Trenchless Technology Products announces its hydraulically driven submersible pickup/trash pump. Available with a 3-inch or 4-inch discharge, these pumps will pump up to 800 gallons per minute. The pump can be driven off any hydraulic source...

Fiberglass well casing.(What to Look for in 2004)
December 1, 2003... GP Fiberglass produces a composite 30-inch by 25-foot corrugated fiberglass well casing that is used in low-producing, shallow bored wells, between 10 feet and 200 feet in depth with the casing acting as the tank. The product is NSF/ANSI...

New casing system.(What to Look for in 2004)
December 1, 2003... GeoRocFor developed the Xs system for deep over-burden casing installation where rocks and boulders are a problem. The Xs system utilizes the same large DTH hammer for setting casing and for sub-casing drilling. For example, a 6-inch hammer is...

Water level meters.(What to Look for in 2004)
December 1, 2003... Geotech Environmental Equipment Inc. introduces the Keck WLM line of water level meters. Portable instruments used to measure water levels in deep monitoring wells and boreholes, they detect water levels with a 5/8-inch O.D. stainless steel,...

Inclinometer software.(What to Look for in 2004)
December 1, 2003... The Inclinalysis software program from RST is designed to complement the RST Digital Inc-linometer, which measures lateral movement of earthworks or structures, landslides, embankment fills, stability adjacent to excavations or underground...

Industrial controllers.(What to Look for in 2004)
December 1, 2003... Fralo Industries manufactures industrial controls for municipal, industrial, agricultural, recreational and storm/waste water applications. The industrial controls come with in-house metal fabrication and powder coating. Fralo offers custom...

Hole depth indicator.(What to Look for in 2004)
December 1, 2003... Driller's Choice offers the TRANSTRONIC AB hole depth measurement system (HDMS). As an option to the TRANSTRONIC AB boom angle-indicator package, the HDMS, in use with a stationary laser-sending unit, allows for accurate bench drilling to a...

Water pressure booster system.(What to Look for in 2004)
December 1, 2003... Davey USA's new HS multi-stage, pressure-booster system is controlled by the Hydrascan, providing constant and high-pressure water flow. It is engineered to achieve a strong, even flow to improve the performance of showers, faucets, washing...

Control valve offered.(What to Look for in 2004)
December 1, 2003... The new Signature Series control valve is available from Chandler Systems Inc. The valve handles softeners from 16K to 120K, and automatic filters up to 16 inches. With its 12-volt DC operation, the valve features switch output available for...

Frost-free yard hydrant.(What to Look for in 2004)
December 1, 2003... The new frost-free yard hydrant from Boshart Industries Inc. is manufactured to provide easy installation anywhere with pressurized water supply. Its construction and double o-ring sealing system are designed for years of trouble -free service....

Mud-resistant drill compound.(What to Look for in 2004)
December 1, 2003... Jet-Lube Extreme is a mud-resistant drill collar and tool joint compound that contains no lead or zinc and is blended with a high-temperature complex base grease formula. It is said to prevent excessive circumferential make-up under compressive...

View-in-any-direction camera system.(What to Look for in 2004)
December 1, 2003... The new, motorized Pan-tilt option for the GeoVISION, JrT borehole camera system from Marks Products Inc. offers the remote control ability to point the camera with lights in any direction, including up. Using a simple one-motor and one-camera...

Geoprobe rental service.(What to Look for in 2004)
December 1, 2003... Geoprobe rentals are offered through Probe Support Services (PSS). New products and services provided in 2004 include direct push equipment rentals, featuring ATV-mounted, track-mounted, truck-mounted and tractor-mounted direct push Geoprobe...

Electrodialysis reversal systems.(What to Look for in 2004)
December 1, 2003... Ionics Inc. provides electrodialysis reversal (EDR) systems for a range of municipal applications. The EDR process uses DC voltage to transfer ionic species from the feed water through ion exchange membranes to a concentrate stream, creating a...

Docking vault offered.(What to Look for in 2004)
December 1, 2003... The AO717 locking vault from Emco Wheaton features a lift-assist lid for easy opening with one hand. The lid is 3/8-inch heavy-duty diamond plate. The lock-access lid is permanently fastened with an anti-theft chain and the stainless steel bolt...

Submersible electric motors.(What to Look for in 2004)
December 1, 2003... Sun-Star Electric Inc. specializes in submersible electric motors. Its new standard type D water-filled and type M oil-filled motors meet the requirements for large submersible motors in horsepower ranges to 750 and higher voltages to 6,600...

Heavy elevators.(What to Look for in 2004)
December 1, 2003... Four-and-one-half-inch heavy elevators are available from Larry's Welding. These elevators are rated at 48,000 pounds. They are said to open easily and feature an automatic latch as well as a safety pin. Larry's Welding Service, Card No. 229...

Casing system.(What to Look for in 2004)
December 1, 2003... D & L Thomas offers the Xs Drill continuous casing system from GeoRocFor. The same large DTH hammer is used for setting casing and for sub-casing drilling. The Xs Drill system consists of three components--the driver bit, crown bit and Square...

Single-channel data logger.(What to Look for in 2004)
December 1, 2003... Heron's Dipper-Log is a single-channel data logger for measuring water levels in wells, boreholes and open bodies of water. The 3/4-inch by 6-inch unit stores up to 16,000 readings. It features an unvented slim cable and an easy-to-change...

Cable tool wrench.(What to Look for in 2004)
December 1, 2003... Basin and Range Drilling Supply has developed a new cable tool wrench. The wrench is a heat-treated alloy that features both a claw end and loops. They weigh approximately 65 pounds and can be shipped UPS. Your name can be cast into the wrench...

Photometer for water quality analysis.(What to Look for in 2004)
December 1, 2003... The new CHEMetrics Photometer model V-2000 is a portable, microprocessor-based LED colorimeter for use in the field. This portable water analyzer tests over 50 pre-programmed analytes and requires no sample preparation, mixing or chemical...

Miniature vibrating wire readout.(What to Look for in 2004)
December 1, 2003... The Geokon Model GK-404 vibrating-wire (VW) readout box is a portable, low-power, hand-held device designed for the readout of all Geokon VW geotechnical instruments, such as piezometers and pressure transducers. It is powered by two AA...

3D machine control system upgrade.(What to Look for in 2004)
December 1, 2003... Leica Geosystems announces the introduction of a new version of the GradeStar 3D machine control system. Version 4.2 provides GPS-and TPS-based machine control capability for bulldozers as well as motor graders. Position data from the GPS or...

Charging what you earn: smart contractors know how to build their profits into every job they drill.(The World According to Wayne)
December 1, 2003... I recently made a trip to West Palm Beach, Fla., to demonstrate one of my new mud systems to Harrell Champion, owner of Champion Well & Pump Service. We did the demonstration with the company's new Versadrill rig. It went very well and was well...

Seeing the forest for the trees; protected forests offer an effective means to clean water.(Water Treatment Topics)
December 1, 2003... A recent study conducted by World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and The World Bank reveals that protected forests can be a cost-effective means to purify and provide quality drinking to major cities. Instead of spending billions on water treatment...

Pumps key to water sculpture and 'spirits'.
December 1, 2003... Water features are gaining in popularity--for private houses and gardens, but no less for major public events. At the British Queen's Golden Jubilee celebrations, in front of Buckingham Palace, dancing fountains were powered by Lowara pumps. A...

Preparing the next generation: pump companies encourage students to consider careers as water professionals.
December 1, 2003... Prior to going to college, Ryan Abbott worked side by side with his father, Bill, in the family business--Abbott's Pump Co. in Granby, Colorado. Abbott, 18, says he might take over the business from his dad someday. In fact, the courses he's...

Mullis wins hammer from I-R.(Newscope)
December 1, 2003... Ingersoll-Rand (I-R) is pleased to announce Mike Mullis of DL Mullis Well Drilling Inc., Charlotte, N.C., is the winner of a new Ingersoll-Rand Quantum Leap 60 downhole drilling hammer. Mullis won the hammer as a result of completing a customer...

Design award to Grundfos.(Newscope)
December 1, 2003... Grundfos SQFlex for domestic water supply won the Danish Design Award 2003. Grundfos group chairman, Niels Due Jensen, received the award on behalf of the company at a ceremony at the Danish Design Centre in Copenhagen, Denmark. The award...

Groundwater foundation awards.(Newscope)
December 1, 2003... The Groundwater Foundation, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to educating citizens about the importance of ground water protection and preservation, annually presents two national awards to honor ground waterprotection activities in...

Organic matter in ground water.
December 1, 2003... An important element of artificial recharge is the introduction of potentially reactive organic matter into an aquifer. Geochemical interactions between this organic matter and aquifer solids inorganic constituents in the subsurface can result...

Wind power to clean ground water.(Newscope)
December 1, 2003... A University of Missouri-Rolla (UMR) researcher and 11 geological engineering students will use wind power to clean up ground water at a former munitions production site in Nebraska in the effort to use renewable energy for such a task. ...

Share the power: the business management files.(Portfolio)
December 1, 2003... Powerful people empower others and encourage others to express themselves openly, reminds leadership expert Patricia Haddock. Communicating a sense of personal power comes from a belief that you can reach your goals in your own way. Haddock...

Vision creates excitement.(Portfolio)
December 1, 2003... In his popular book, Championship Management, James Belohav provides an enlightening definition of the term "vision." He says that having vision is having a purpose. Vision creates a driving force in people. When individuals have purpose,...

Best to start the fighting early.(Portfolio)
December 1, 2003... A study of group behavior at the University of Illinois concludes that disagreement at the beginning of a meeting leads to better decisionmaking and more accurate judgments in the end. Early disagreement usually leads to further discussion and...

Try a little friendliness.(Portfolio)
December 1, 2003... It may seem more professional to stay impersonal at work, but, in fact, friendlier employees are more productive, according to researchers at the University of Michigan. A comparison of the American work ethic to approaches in other countries...

Water well abandonment and decommissioning.
December 1, 2003... Wells are expensive commodities and generally are an asset to the property even if they are not currently in use--as long as they are properly maintained. Proper maintenance may be as simple as making sure that the well head remains above the...

Hardfacing of conventional and hollow-stem augers--part 2.
December 1, 2003... Last month, in part one of this series, we covered auger flight wear and the application of the surfacing electrode. In this issue, we'll look at maintenance, checking and cutterheads. Planned Periodic Maintenance There are a number of...

What's up in the world of drill rigs--part 5: compact, customized rigs continue to be a trend.
December 1, 2003... When asked where they think the drill rig market is headed, many manufacturers will reply with a variation on "If I knew that, I'd be a millionaire!" Based on the purchasing trends they observe, however, these manufacturers do have a fair idea...

Pumping moves inland.(Newscope)
December 1, 2003... Orange County Water District (OCWD) is working with the coastal and inland water agencies and cities in Orange County, Calif., to shift ground water pumping (6.5 billion gallons this year) to lessen the strain on OCWD's seawater barrier. The...

ITT expansion.
December 1, 2003... ITT Industries Inc. and WEDECO AG Water Technology have announced the signing of a definitive business combination agreement through which ITT will acquire WEDECO, a manufacturer of ozone oxidation and ultraviolet disinfection equipment. WEDECO...