In some parts of the world, manual excavation of water wells is still the cheapest and most practical way to improve water accessibility, especially for disposable wells.However, for contractors and groups that want to increase or expand well drilling capabilities in the long term, mechanical drilling can provide a faster and more efficient option.
Two points should be paid attention to when choosing water well drilling equipment: 1) The method must match the geology.2) Consider short-term and long-term costs.For a single well, manual technology may not cost too much, but can manual drilling methods handle the soil conditions on your site?What is the overall cost of drilling multiple wells?On the other hand, mechanical drilling options may be able to complete operations quickly, but may not meet the budget for operations that only view a few wells per year.
Manual technology
For many people, digging a well reminds people of a person leaking buckets of soil in a deep and muddy hole. There is a good reason for this.Manual excavation may be the oldest and most commonly used manual method of obtaining groundwater, but it is labor-intensive and dirty work.
Like other manual technologies (including silt, manual impact drilling, drive points, and manual drilling), manual excavation requires only simple tools and a lot of hard work. This is why individuals and communities have been using these technologies effectively for a long time. .As the saying goes: “If it’s not broken, don’t fix it.”For areas with limited access to heavy equipment or fuel, these technologies are still a feasible option.
advantages：
Need simple tools that can be accessed locally
Depending on the method and geological conditions, it can reach 230 feet (70 meters) or deeper
A large number of people can get the job done quickly
Disadvantages：
High risk of surface pollution
It is difficult or impossible to drill through rocks or dense soil
Most methods become unstable when they are below 33 feet (10 meters)
Most methods require high groundwater levels
Mechanical method
Manual drilling methods rely on simple tools, a large number of staff, hard work and patience to complete the work, while mechanical drilling methods use motors, gears and fuel to drive rocks and hard soil.These technologies dig faster and deeper than manual methods, and are ideal for contractors and groups seeking efficient, highly operational, and easy-to-use equipment.For drilling single wells, they may not be cost-effective, but for operators who want to add well drilling to their services, investing in a well drilling rig suitable for your operation can provide a fast return on investment and open up new possibilities.
Jet: In this method, the pump forces water to flow down the drill pipe and out of the narrow nozzle, forming a water jet that loosens the sediment.The water outside the drill pipe brings the drill cuttings to the ground and enters the sedimentation pit dug next to the drilling hole.Then the pump returns the water to the pipeline.The drill pipe is suspended on a tripod and rotated by hand to keep the hole straight.In fine sand, this method can reach a depth of 197 feet (60 meters).
advantages：
Only two people are needed
The only tools are pumps and pipes that can generate sufficient pressure
Disadvantages：
Only suitable for soft, fine-grained sediments
It is difficult to install sanitary seals to prevent surface contamination
Cable tool: This is a mechanized version of manual impact drilling.The heavy-duty drill bit is connected to the steel cable and rises and falls in the drilling.The cuttings still need to be removed manually using a water bucket, and a few meters of water must be maintained in the drilling hole to keep the cuttings suspended.Equipment ranges from a basic skid-mounted winch with a tripod to a complex set of pulleys and reels with a large mast.Large cable tool rigs are installed on the carriages of trailers or trucks and use hydraulic motors to raise and lower the masts and rotate the cable reels.These larger devices can drill hundreds of feet deep under almost any geological conditions.
advantages：
Use the least fuel
Disadvantages：
The slowest mechanical method
Steel sleeves are required to prevent holes from collapsing when working in loose sediments
The drive housing may require additional equipment, such as arc welders and torches
Mud rotary drilling rig: The basic concept of mud rotary drilling rig is similar to jet.Add a large cutting drill bit, a section of steel drill pipe with threaded joints, a motor for rotating and lifting the drill pipe, and a sturdy mast to support the drill pipe, and you can drill a rotary well.Mud rotary digging also mixes bentonite or other materials in the jet water to improve its ability to lift rock cuttings.This fluid is called “drilling mud”, which is also the “mud” mentioned in the name of the method.
advantages：
Drilling mud keeps drilling smooth without driving the casing
Faster than cable tools and injection methods
Disadvantages：
Only a larger drilling rig can be used to drill through the rock
Multiple motors consume more fuel per hour than cable tool rigs
Large drilling rigs need to support vehicles to transport water and drill pipe
Air rotary drilling rig: The mechanical components of an air rotary drilling rig are similar to that of a mud rotary drilling rig, including the option of a table drive or a head drive for rotating pipes.The main difference is the use of compressed air to remove drill cutters instead of drilling mud.Pneumatic rotary drilling rigs use the same type of drill bits as mud drilling rigs, but DTH hammers can also be used for drilling.It uses compressed air to break rocks, and drilling is very fast.Large air rotary drilling rigs can drill more than 1,640 feet (500 meters) under suitable geological conditions.
advantages：
The fastest drilling method
Faster setup than other methods
Disadvantages：
The most expensive method
Consumes the most fuel per hour
Need to support vehicles and large air compressors
Post time: Mar-27-2024