For more than 3 decades, Directional Technologies has been installing horizontal well systems. During that time, Directional Technologies, Inc. has successfully installed over a five thousand Horizontal Remediation Wells (HRWs) around the globe. The technology is thoroughly proven and effective.
This article discusses an HRW project that Directional Technologies executed 20+ years ago that is still performing as designed.
Groundwater Modeling of a Hydraulic Containment System
Our client had performed groundwater modeling of a horizontal hydraulic containment system for a chlorinated solvent groundwater plume at an aerospace facility in 2000. The site is located adjacent to a river and the remedial strategy was to intercept the plume and prevent it from migrating toward the river.
The modeling objectives were to:
1) Predict horizontal hydraulic containment system performance
2) Assess the required water extraction volume from a shallow aquifer to achieve the desired hydraulic control
The centerpiece of the horizontal hydraulic containment system was a horizontal extraction well with a screened interval 450 feet long and an overall length of 700 feet. The 450-foot screen allowed for complete interception of the groundwater plume.
Horizontal Hydraulic Containment System Installation
Directional Technologies was contracted to install the horizontal hydraulic containment system well, which consisted of an eight-inch diameter horizontal well with the following configuration: riser length: 250 feet, screened interval: 450 feet, installed depth: 16 feet below ground surface, 7-9 feet into the water table. The horizontal well was constructed of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) SDR-11. The well created a trough of depression along the entire length of the screen.
Horizontal Wells Systems – Long-Term Results that Reward
The Horizontal Remediation Well that was installed 20+ years ago is still performing its job, maintaining hydraulic control and intercepting the plume. This long-duration record of success showcases the technology’s durability and ability to perform. A hydraulic control system based on vertical wells would rely on not-always-dependable overlapping radius-of-influence (ROI), whereas horizontal well systems provide seamless ROI. In addition, building space physical limitations precluded the installation of an effective vertical well system.