THE DEFINITION OF DRILLING FOR GEOTHERMAL
Drilling for geothermal applications refers to the process of using drilling equipment to create boreholes in the ground for geothermal energy systems.
WORK METHOD
1. Area Clearance and Drilling Rig Setup
Prepare the working platform by clearing the area, fixing pegs for the borehole position, and setting the drilling rig in the designated position for the bored pile.
2. Pre-Boring
Conduct the pre-boring using a soil auger to establish the initial borehole.
3. Casing Installation
Select the appropriate casing and lower it to the designated position before drilling begins. Ensure the casing is long enough to reach the required depth.
4. Drilling
Use drilling equipment, such as rotary drilling rigs, to start drilling within the casing until the desired depth is achieved. If necessary, a polymer slurry can be used to stabilize the borehole during the drilling process.
5. Cleaning the Hole
Remove drilled soil and residual materials using a cleaning bucket to ensure the borehole is clean and free of debris.
6. Conductor Pipe Installation
Install the H-beam fork as a guidance reference. Then, install the conductor pipe from the first section to the last section.Cementing/Grouting. Prepare water, cement, and Sika for the cementing process using the ratio specified by the client. After mixing, inject the mixture into the borehole until it reaches ground level.
7. Pull out temporary casing
After grouting, remove the temporary casing and wait for the cement to set (at least 24 hours). After that, add additional material to fill the borehole and weld a plate cover above the conductor pipe.
8. Pull Out the Tremie and Temporary Casing
Once the concrete surface is 1 meter above the Cut Off Level (COL), and the fresh concrete has flowed from the borehole, it is permissible to pull out the tremie pipe and the temporary casing.
ADVANTAGES AND APPLICATION OF DRILLING FOR GEOTHERMAL
ADVANTAGES
Faster and Less Disruptive
Geothermal drilling is generally faster and less disruptive than other drilling methods. It is particularly effective in areas where access is limited or where minimal environmental disturbance is required.
APPLICATION
High-Rise Building Construction
The boreholes created can be used for ground-source heat pumps, enhancing energy efficiency in heating and cooling systems by utilizing the relatively stable temperatures found underground.