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Pipe Ramming and Bursting
April 29th, 2012Pipe ramming is an excellent and cost-efficient alternative for placing steel casing under roads, railroads, finished landscapes and structures, as well as even in bodies of water. It is also the method of choice for cobble or free-flowing soil conditions. Compared to other methods, pipe ramming cuts down on set-up time, offers lower equipment costs, and reduces maintenance costs.
At AmeriDrill, Inc. we are exceedingly hands on with each pipe ramming and pipe bursting job we do for the PA and DE area. You can rest assured that we are consistently surveying the area to make sure the site is safe for you, the community, as well as our workers. We value safety as much as you do, which is why we go above and beyond in making sure each pipe bursting and pipe ramming job is safely handled all the way through.
With an extensive product line we are sure that we have the right ramming tool to meet your needs. The pipe ramming systems are adaptable to work on pipe ramming and pipe bursting projects, providing fast and easy field service and giving you the versatility to pursue a wide variety of jobs.
Pipe Bursting
Municipalities and underground contractors know that pipe bursting is an effective and efficient method in replacing failing, outdated, or undersized sewer, water, and gas lines. No matter what the situation, we have a system to meet your needs and exceed your expectations.
Our pipe-bursting systems are designed to provide high production rates to help you complete your projects on time and under budget. The tools used are designed to handle the toughest pipe-bursting jobs with exceptional performance and features you won’t find on competitive models.
In addition, pipe bursting reduces the amount of excavation and associated surface disruption, resulting in an environmentally friendly project. At AmeriDrill, we offer an extensive line of tooling for various types of pipe replacement projects in order to meet your exact needs.
The Hollow Stem Auger
March 26th, 2012The Hollow Stem Auger is drilling used for geotechnical exploration along with other sampling systems. It uses a series of continuous augers that are hollow. The Hallow Stem Augers may be used to advance a drill hole without sampling using a pilot bit assembly, or it may be equipped with a sampling system for obtaining soil cores. In some subsurface cohesive soils, the drill hole can be successfully advanced without the use of a pilot bit assembly. During intermittent drilling with or without a pilot bit, the sampling can be performed depending on the intervals to be sampled. During pauses in the drilling and sampling process, testing or other soil sampling methods can be performed through the hollow auger column below the lead auger assembly. Once there is a completion of the boring to the depth of interest, the hole may be abandoned, or testing or monitoring devices can be installed.
Hollow-Stem Auger drilling allows for drilling and covering of the hole simultaneously, eliminating hole caving problems and contamination of soil samples. The augers keep the borehole open during drilling and well installation. The Hollow-Stem Auger drilling and sampling method is a satisfactory way to collect samples of shallow unconsolidated subsurface materials.
The augers are prepared by welding the flights around the steel pipe of various diameters depending on what size auger is desired. Hollow-stem auger drilling allows one to drill shallow, usually 100 feet or less, depending on the formation without using drilling fluids to stabilize the bore hole walls.
Hollow-stem auger drilling involves safety planning, administration, and documentation due to its complicated process. The AmeriDrill, Inc. team is certified and knowledgeable in the Hollow Stem Augering method. They have been providing clients in Delaware and Pennsylvania with Hollow Stem Augering for years and are considered a leader in the field.
Vacuum Extraction
February 29th, 2012Vacuum extraction is an affordable and safe alternative to use for ungrounded utility needs such as gas and water service line installation, and even soil sampling. The vacuum extraction system is becoming the preferred method of use within many industries for exposing the dangers that are underground. It also increases productivity and is safer than the old fashioned hand digging method. Traditional exploratory excavation techniques when used with ground penetrating radar or cable avoidance tools still expose ground workers to risk of injury. If this occurs, there is possible damage to the site, project delays, and expensive repair bills from service providers.
So, why use the vacuum excavation method?
Vacuum excavation systems work by using a combination of two non-intrusive loosening forces. First, compressed air is induced into the ground at high velocity, and the air stays compressed to a depth of 100mm as it penetrates granular or pervious material which fractures and lifts. Second, where cohesive soils are encountered, high pressure water is injected into the ground at 4000psi with a protective shield. Both methods safely break up the ground cover into small fragments, then a high volume vacuum is used to remove and safely contain the displaced material inside a vehicle mounted spoil tank or inline barrel interceptor. This is very useful if soils are thought to be contaminated because the barrels can be sealed for safe disposal at a later date.
In the states of New York and Maryland, we are the vacuum extraction and soft dig experts. The vacuum extraction methods use both water and air depending on the various needs of the project. The VacMaster 1000 is used for utility clearing the first five feet of boring locations below ground surface prior to drilling and to examine if utilities do or do not exist. An effective aspect of the VacMaster 1000 is that it is extremely cost effective, while maintaining high performance and results. It is also highly portable, so it can be used for all vacuum extraction needs from Maryland to New York.
What is Geoprobe Drilling?
January 25th, 2012A Geoprobe is a hydraulically-powered, direct push machine that uses static force as well as dynamic percussion force to drive steel boring rods into the sub-surface at a variety of depths in order to assist in sub-surface sampling. The use of the direct push technique refers to tools being pushed into the ground without the use of drilling to remove soil or to make a path for the tool. The Geoprobe has become a quick, clean, and economical upgrade from the conventional environmental drilling equipment. It is able to work in areas not reachable by other drill rigs. By attaching a variation of sampling tools to the steel bore rods, the Geoprobe is able to collect soil, soil-gas, and groundwater samples. If a variety of electronic probes are attached to the steel bore rods the Geoprobe is capable of providing continuous in-situ measurements of subsurface properties (soil core sampling, discrete soil sampling), coring for monitor well installations, and more.
The Geoprobe direct push technology is also more cost effective than using conventional drill rigs when completing soil borings or installing wells. The use of direct push tools makes sampling speeds much faster, and fewer wastes are generated for disposal. Also, using test borings by direct push technology provides accurate ground water sample results, defines the water table interface, and can be used for the measurement of other physical parameters for in-site investigations.
Some Geoprobe Advantages Over Conventional Drilling Include:
. Accurate Soil Profiling: Undisturbed soil cores allows for vertical profiling capability in order to generate three-dimensional profiles of a site.
.Accurate Groundwater Profiling: Direct Push drilling is capable of collecting depth-discrete groundwater samples to detect contaminated layers.
.Sample Quality: Soil samples recovered in plastic liners for volatile organics are not exposed to the atmosphere before dispatch to the laboratory.
.Cleanliness: There is no water or drilling muds present during direct push boring.
.Rate of Work: The direct push boring provides data at a faster rate when required.
.Reduced Drill Spoil: Dual-tube sampling allows for a smaller volume of drill spoil required for safe disposal.
.Mobility and Access: With the Geoprobe you have access to confined areas.
Why Choose AmeriDrill, Inc. for Your Drilling Project
November 28th, 2011If you are looking for highly experienced and insured workers for any or all of your drilling needs contact AmeriDrill, Inc., today. With over 75 years of experience, we are one of the most trusted drilling companies in the Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland area. Whether your drilling needs are to be performed on land, water, rough terrain, horizontally, or in difficult access areas, AmeriDrill, Inc. provides the best equipment needed to get the job done right the first time.
Our highest quality drilling services include geotechnical, environmental or directional drilling, as well as probing and auger boring. The things that make us a reliable and efficient horizontal directional drilling (HDD) company is that we use top of the line HDD materials and technologies to save you time and money in order to ensure you meet deadlines and budgets. Our extensive directional drilling experience spans various East Coast locations and the most challenging terrains including those under highways, railroads, as well as heavily populated streets.
If you are searching for an experienced geoprobing company, AmeriDrill offers two 66DT Track Mounted Profile Probes that are capable of advancing probe borings in tight and hard to reach areas all around New Jersey and New York. The Geoprobing can be used for a variety of reasons including: extracting soil and water samples for environmental testing, advancing probe borings in tight access areas, and also taking water samples as well as installing ½ diameter wells when Hallow Stem Auger (HSA) or Air Percussion Rotary (APR) capabilities are used.
Executing a successful horizontal auger boring is no easy task, but with our highly certified, trained and insured team we make the auger boring process run more smoothly while saving you time and money. In heavily trafficked areas such as Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and New York, using the auger boring is the best choice. Not only do we meet all industry standards, but we surpass them by using state-of-the-art auger boring techniques and premier horizontal auger boring equipment. At AmeriDrill, Inc. we have built a reputation based on quality and safety. We take great pride in ensuring that our client’s needs are being met with the best techniques in order to meet and exceed all their wishes. With a team like AmeriDrill, Inc., you can have peace of mind knowing our crew is there each and every step of the way during your drilling project. Remember our services are exceptional and we cover every aspect of the drilling industry!
From All Of Us Here At Ameridrill, Inc., May This Holiday Season Be Filled With Many Memorable Moments With Your Family And Friends. Happy Holidays!
Safe Auger Boring Benefit To User
July 19th, 2011Digging into the soil can be a painstaking and long process. In such a context, powered augers prove to be a boon.
What is an auger? It is a drilling device which consists of a rotating helical screw blade. The rotation causes the drilled material to be dragged from one point to the other, a process better known as “flighting.” Furthermore, the auger is a drilling machine that also acts as a conveyer belt to remove the drilled material for an efficient and fast drilling. It is one of the best methods for most of the drilling tasks.
An auger can be powered manually or through external means, based on the requirement of the hole to be dug. For industrial and enormous tasks, externally powered augers are used. The power head creates the rotating motion, while the tip loosens the soil which is then carried by the helical screw out of the hole. Also, the auger should have high power head speed for holes with a smaller diameter and a high power head torque for those with larger diameters.
There have also been numerous accounts of mishaps related to this powerful machine. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) have identified some of the potential safety hazards on the usage of auger drilling such as, worker getting pulled/stuck in the equipment, a tip over accident, a run over accident when backing digger derricks, back strain, electrocution, chemical exposure etc.
When an accident strikes, the victim usually has a decreased reaction time. However, if he is properly informed and trained, injuries, causalities, fatalities can be evaded. Simple awareness and identification of dangers in the workplace can eventually save an individual from serious injuries.
For example, the machine should be operated by trained/qualified operators, abiding by the guidelines set up by the OSHA and ANSI. They should have a good presence of mind in identifying hazards before and during the process of drilling. He or she should also check for the underground terrain before digging with the auger. He or she should be wearing proper protective equipment and know what to do in the case of an emergency.
The OSHA Construction Standard Requirements also state that the employer ought to train the auger operator, and the machine to stay clear of overhead power lines and underground installations.
One must abide to the guidelines set up by the OSHA, failing to which can earn one legal action against them. Also, we should remember that human life is very precious. Any injury, minor or major in nature should be prevented as best as possible.
Permitting Changes In Bucks County, Pa
June 2nd, 2011As of January 1st, 2011, Bucks County Health Department expanded their Well Permitting Program to include Bucks County Health Department direct over site for the installation of Geothermal Wells and the installation and abandonment of Monitoring Wells. Prior to January 1st, 2011, Bucks County Health Department’s Well Permitting Program only required over site and permitting for Public and Private Potable Well Installations.
The new Bucks County Health Department Regulations require a permitting fee for the installation of Geothermal and Monitoring Wells along with physically locating each well prior to Bucks County Health Department’s approval of the well permits.
The requirements for the permits are as follows:
• Provide the Tax Parcel number for the property that the wells are being installed.
• Obtain the property owner’s signature on each permit.
• Provide two site maps that show where the wells will be located and each location must be marked in white prior to sending the permit to the county for approval.
Geothermal & Monitoring Wells
Three wells per permit up to 18
If installing more than 18 wells a blanket permit can be obtained
Public and Private Potable Wells
One well per permit
Geothermal & Monitoring Well Abandonments
Up to 100 wells per permit
The information above is a brief description of the new rules and regulations of the Bucks County Health Department. Please feel free to contact AmeriDrill at 215-269-7300 or thru our contact page for any additional information on permitting procedures and fee’s for the Bucks County Health Department.
The most comprehensive environmental drilling
April 15th, 2011Drilling is the most complex trade to understand; it requires a lot of knowledge and experience to understand the usage of tools to get the best possible result. Drilling is a process of digging bore holes to extract resources or hard substances like wood, rock, metal among others. The usage of drill in industries is known as environmental drilling. Environmental drilling is almost anonymous to most people particularly the common man. Environmental drilling is particularly used in soil bore industries and the concept of it generally seems complex to most of the drilling process like vertical and horizontal drilling. The method of Environmental drilling is utilized in monitoring and exhuming water wells.
Access to underground water comes after a long and strong process of boring, digging and of course drilling. Different designed pumps such as hand pumps, mechanical pumps and vertical turbine pumps are utilized to pump underground water. In remote places people have to draw water manually or through bucket tied with ropes. With the advent of environmental drilling the process of drawing underground water has become much easier, in fact, with its use one draws more volume of water compared to the earlier process. One must accept the fact that it is not as simple, one is aware that well water usually contains more minerals and requires a rigid cleaning process to make the water consumable. Water softening methods are applied to remove dangerous minerals like manganese and arsenic from water.
There are many process of environmental drilling for water wells and none more popular than the electric pump. In fact, the usage and advantages of electric pump is unquestionable as it is used all across the globe, be it a metropolitan city or a remote village. In water well drilling there is always a concern with the quality of water particularly in cities like New York and California. These cities have witnessed a lot of drilling for Natural gas and the danger is that a lot of chemical has started to mix in well water. These had led companies to be extremely cautious and careful with drilling and one is particular about the geographical region as some places like Alaska can have severe contaminated water. Therefore one must do a proper research before hiring the services of environmental drilling companies. It is important to check and verify the registration and expertise of the professionals in the environmental drilling industry.
Highly efficient technology: Horizontal drilling
March 14th, 2011Horizontal drilling for shale gas and liquefied natural gas technologies both came of age when prices were high. Horizontal drilling has established as one of the most valuable technologies ever introduced in the business. It is an inflated oil recovery or gas recovery method that is becoming more and more favored as the price per barrel of oil gets higher.
Unlike a directional well that is drilled to position a reservoir entry point, a horizontal well is commonly defined as any well in which the lower part of the well bore parallels the oil zone. The angle of nodding used to drill the well does not have to reach 90° for well to be considered a horizontal well. Applications for horizontal well include the exploitation of thin oil-rim reservoirs, avoidance of draw down related problems such as water/gas coning, and extension of wells by means of multiple drain holes.
A Cost expert has agreed that horizontal well was established as a preferred method of recovering oil and gas from reservoirs in which these fluids occupy strata that are horizontal, or nearly so because they offer greater contact area with the productive layer than vertical wells. While cost factor for horizontal well may be as much as two or three times that of vertical well, the production factor can be enhanced as much as 15 to 20 times, making it attractive.
The U.S department of energy indicates that using horizontal drilling can lead to an increase in reserves in place by 2% of the original oil in place.
Horizontal wells are drilled for several purposes:
• It increases the exposed section length through the reservoir by drilling through the reservoir at an angle
• Drilling into reservoir where vertical access is difficult or not possible for instance an oil-filed under a town, under a lake, or underneath a difficult to drill formation.
• Allowing more wellheads to grouped together on one surface location can allow fewer rig moves, less surface area disturbance, and make it easier and cheaper to complete and produce the wells.
• Drilling a relief well to relieve the pressure of a well producing without restraint.
Thermally Enhanced Grout for Geothermal Drilling
January 26th, 2011Boreholes in areas that permit the use of natural materials for backfill must be sealed at the surface in accordance with governing codes. If holes are to be grouted from bottom to top, high solid bentonites should not be used. The commonly used “high solids” bentonite grouts have around 20% solids- and a thermal conductivity value of approximately .40. This is a very poor heat transfer capability and impedes heat exchanger to ground heat transfer. This is not a problem when the bentonite is used as the sealing material in the top 10-20 fee or so of the borehole. However, if it used to grout the entire borehole, it has a very negative impact on the U-bend’s heat exchange capacity.
To overcome this, thermally enhanced grouts were developed. These grouts use small granule sands in the bentonite to thermally enhance the grout (increase the solids percentage to 65% or more) while still maintaining the permeability ratings necessary to protect the ground water and environment.
As the percentage of solids is increased, the thermal conductivity value of the grout incrases0 starting at about .85 for 65% solids and increasing as solids content increases, up to a thermal conductivity of 1.2 or more.
The high capacity group pump is capable of mixing and pumping 2 batches of group ( a typical batch of thermally enhanced grout is 50 pounds of bentonite grout, around 18 gallons of water, and 200 pounds of the small granule sand) through a that may be 400-500 feet long. Grout is pumped from the bottom of the borehole up to ensure the entire borehole is filled with the thermally enhanced grout.
When you are considering a project that involves geothermal drilling, contact Ameridrill for a qualified evaluation of your project. Improper grouting can come at a pricetag of 30% lost efficiency.