One step ahead | Article and cover GeoDrilling International
| Conrad and Henk van Tongeren wrote an article about innovation in watermanagement and dewatering projects which was published by GeoDrilling International Mays issue. Read the complete article below.
ONE STEP AHEAD
Dutch company Henk van Tongeren invests in new drilling technology for water-management projects
Water-management and dewatering projects are becoming more and more complicated and extensive with time. Limited working spaces and stricter legislation regarding groundwater can be challenging, and the adverse consequences of temporary groundwater systems should always be minimised. Established in 1949, Henk van Tongeren today specialises in dewatering, storm-water infiltration systems, drainage systems and water-well drilling. With its patented DSI system, the company can tackle the most difficult rainwater challenges, and water can be infiltrated directly into the soil without the need of a pump. Drilling, however, is still necessary.
CUSTOMISED MACHINE
In order to remain at the head
of the pack when it comes to
groundwater dewatering and
rainwater infiltration in the
Netherlands, Henk van Tongeren
took on a customised Conrad
Boxer 200 HD drilling rig at the
beginning of April.
Accurate control of any machine
serves as a benchmark nowadays.
The Conrad Boxer 200 was
designed as a powerful, compact
and light track-mounted drilling
rig controlled by the electrical
IQAN system.
The modern rig, which is
solely radio-operated, is easy to
manoeuvre due to its compact
dimensions in difficult-to-access
areas and narrow sites. The
Boxer 200 can be fitted out based
on customer specifications for
straight-flush drilling, reverse
circulation/airlift drilling, percussion
drilling, sonic drilling, coring
and down-the-hole drilling.
The manufacturer Conrad Stanen explains that it has aimed to translate driller experiences into an operator-friendly design. The company lists some features that make the rig easier to work with and that can increase productivity:
• A full drill-pipe manipulation
system that ensures that drill
pipes no longer have to be
inserted and extracted manually
(no physical load or risk of body
parts being trapped);
• A semi- or fully automatic
facility for the above to ensure
that manual control is limited to
a minimum (operating comfort);
• Radio remote control for all
important drilling functions
and setting up the rig (good
visibility of the drilling process
and surrounding area);
• Automatic greasing system; and
• High engine performance that
increases productivity.
“The cooperation between Henk van Tongeren and Conrad is based on decades of experience. The company’s very first machine was also a Conrad machine. The continuous innovation of machines and requirements is the main reason we work together with Bram Muurlink and his team,” says owner Guido van Tongeren.
KEEPING BUSY
With the Conrad Boxer 200, Henk
van Tongeren can handle a variety
of projects. Currently the company
is managing several water-related
projects in the Netherlands. It is
responsible for water management
for the A9 highway improvement
project in the centre of the
Randstad, and the N31 road in
Harlingen on the coast of the
northern province of Friesland.
In Putten, in the centre of the
Netherlands, Henk van Tongeren
manages continuing challenges
relating to water issues within the
Life Aerfit rainwater infiltration
project. In the next year, it will
carry out 600 drillings in cooperation
with the government to
place fast, high-volume infiltration
(FHVI) wells. The Conrad
Boxer 200 HD was specially
designed for this job. In addition,
this drilling installation will also
be used for future projects.
A BRIGHT FUTURE
The need for seamless, permanent
storm-water systems continues to
grow. With the changes in global
climate and the increasing need
for underground infrastructure,
a compliant solution is needed.
With the development of the
FHVI/DSI system, Henk van
Tongeren has created a solution
that is easy to install for optimised
water management with
many economic benefits. The
most important one is: there is
no need to build new sewers.
Therefore the further development
of the FHVI/DSI system,
in cooperation with the O2DIT
Foundation, has great priority
within the organisation.
“Our forecast is that rainwater
will increasingly be drained by
permanent return systems. Water
will be transported to the soil in a
natural way, which will exonerate
sewer refinement substantially.
Needless to say, our clients and the
government are very pleased with
these results,” says van Tongeren.
“Conrad Stanen explains that it has aimed to translate driller experiences into an operator-friendly design”