Drilling
Drilling is the major key to providing energy efficiency in geothermal heat exchange.
Commercial, residential, retrofit, and new construction requires the competent application of drilling technology.
The knowledge and experience required to install geothermal wells anywhere in any geology, while protecting ground water and the environment, is the primary technical and valuable aspect of an efficient geothermal system. This is recognized by the government of Alberta with legislation requiring vertical earth exchange systems be constructed by Journeymen and companies with the specific “F” Class Approval only.
Drilling penetration rate
A vertical heat exchange loop properly sized and installed to 100 meters ( 330 ft ) of depth, will operate at 9 – 11 degrees on average, deeper means warmer.
By contrast, a near surface horizontal exchange loop is typically installed at 1.5 meters ( 5 ft ) of depth, will operate at 2 degrees at our latitude, on average. ( This because seasonal ambient temps will affect ground temperature to a depth of 3 m – 10 ft. )
A heat pump moves a source of heat from one place to another in an electrically efficient way. The temperature of the source of heat dictates the efficiency of the pump. Most geothermal systems are sold claiming the efficiency of a particular brand of heat pump, COP or SEER rating, similar to how less efficient air source heat pump systems are sold. Air source heat pumps become dramatically less efficient as ambient temperatures increase or decrease further from room temperature.
Ground source heat pumps ( GSHP’s ) are far more electrically efficient than air source heat pumps. GSHP’s use water circulating through a closed loop in the earth requiring very little electric energy. Further, the stable warm temperature deep in the earth is close to room temperature, requiring very little electric energy to make the exchange.
Our Wombat drills have all necessary functions on board to drill, install, and grout geothermal wells, with minimal time and labor. The space required is just 2.5 meters x 4 meters.
We have designed a platform that maximizes productivity while reducing costs to a minimum, weighing just 6,000 kg loaded, our rigs perform as well or better than machines many times the size and weight. Our light weight track machines have great mobility in all terrain, and are easy to transport.
The small diameter geothermal wells we install require less fuel, drill bits, water, grout and sand, trenching, and labor. Thereby we can minimize the cost to our customers, while maintaining the maximum quality of our product.