Horizontal Remediation Well System installed under busy airport runway.
Directional Technologies, Inc. has been installing Horizontal Remediation Well systems at airports for more than 20 years. The Horizontal Remediation Well system used horizontal directional drilling technology to facilitate remediation of contaminants in soils and groundwater. It is usually a cheaper, more efficient, less intrusive and more sustainable (less energy, lower carbon footprint) alternative to excavation and numerous vertical wells. Directional Technologies is the leader in horizontal directional drilling technology in the environmental field and for airport remediation applications.
Horizontal Remediation Well systems are gaining ground as an alternative to vertical wells for assessing, monitoring and remediating soil and groundwater. Horizontal Remediation Well systems can be used for passive or active applications including air sparge, soil-vapor extraction, ISCO, bioremediation, and other environmental applications. They are usually three to four inches in diameter; are constructed of PVC, HDPE, stainless steel or fiberglass; and vary in length. Wells are slotted in areas where groundwater recovery, air sparging or soil vapor extraction is needed. Also, soil samples may be taken during Horizontal Remediation Well installation.
Directional Technologies, Inc. began helping airport clients at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK Airport) in the 1990s. Directional Technologies’ work at the airport was the stepping-stone that helped create the horizontal remediation industry. An environmental consultant needed an experienced directional driller with a creative and educated approach to conduit installation. Pilot testing would be the basis to install the over 40,000′ Horizontal Remediation Well system at the airport project site. It was crucial that the directional driller chosen be able to contribute his experience and knowledge to the project to ensure pilot testing achieved the correct pitch, depth, and radius in challenging site conditions.
Directional Technologies, Inc. rose to the challenge and installed three 200′ horizontal wells at depths of 6, 10, and 14 feet. The Horizontal Remediation Well system was installed at the busy airport terminal with major instrumental interference from reinforced concrete and other equipment in the area. The pilot testing was a success and the full-scale soil vapor extraction and air sparge system operated for approximately three years. This project is frequently used as the primary horizontal remediation case study.
In 2015, Directional Technologies, Inc. was recognized by the National Association of Environmental Professionals (NAEP) and received the NAEP 2015 Environmental Excellence Award for Best Available Technology for the John F. Kennedy Airport project.
Source: http://www.naep.org/2015-environmental-excellence-award-recipients