The International Ground Source Heat Pump Association (IGSHPA) held its Conference & Expo 2011 Oct. 5-6 in Tulsa, Okla. The group is committed to advancing ground source heat pump technology on local, state, national and international levels, and all signs point to a successful long-term campaign. Its leadership seems strong, dedicated and both forward-thinking and pragmatic. This is evidenced by its increased embrace of the drilling side of the industry.
It was heartening to walk into the exhibit hall and see all that iron. Astec Underground, Geoprobe Systems, Gus Pech Mfg., Laibe Corp., Schramm Inc., SIMCO and Vermeer all brought rigs to the show, which made an impressive sight for visitors. Also fortifying drilling’s increased stature in the geo industry family was IGSHPA’s decision to boost the amount drilling-related educational programming offered. Some of the highlights:
- “Making Ground Loops Attractive,” presented by Dominic
Durbin of Durbin Enterprises Inc., who provided an overview of how the many and
important benefits of a cleaner, safer and more efficient jobsite is worth the
overhead costs associated with equipment such as diverters and
cyclones.
- Wyo-Ben’s Stuart Krause delivered a presentation titled, “Disposal
of Spent Drilling Fluids & Produced Water.” This can present a slippery
slope for drilling contractors – in some markets, spent drill cuttings can be
considered industrial waste.
- “Making Drilling Water Crystal Clear: It’s Easier than You Think!”
was the topic covered by Todd Giddings, principal of Todd Giddings &
Associates Inc. He taught how to set up a temporary water treatment system
using polyacrylamide to deal with muddy water.
- Giddings also covered “Borehole Thermal Performance Testing of HDPE
vs. PEX Pipe,” which showed the drilling and loop installation process for four
different borings.
- Kevin Reimer of Sonic Drilling Corp. presented “How to Grow Your
Geothermal Business Using Sonic Technology.” He shared with attendees how sonic
drilling techniques can drill, case, loop and grout in a single step.
- Baroid’s Kevin Kash tackled “Thermally Enhanced Grout – It’s the
Sand Man.” Grouts used for geothermal heat loop installations should have high
thermal conductivity characteristics, along with the necessary sealing
abilities. Kash spoke of the proper mixing ratios, operator error and the
correct sand needed to achieve a certain thermal
conductivity.
- National Ground Water Association president-elect John Pitz participated in the “U.S. Department of Energy Building Technologies Program” session, which provided a summary of DOE projects awarded under Recovery Act funding for geothermal heat pump systems.
There were dozens of other valuable educational sessions provided, all of which were designed to further the cause of ground source heat pumps. And all the state-of-the-art products, equipment and tools were showcased in an exhibit hall filled with more than 80 vendors, so there was ample opportunity for visitors to stay on top of the latest developments in this fast-evolving industry.
IGSHPA continues to grow in both size and scope, and the industry offers an excellent opportunity for drilling contractors looking to expand their market base. We look forward to drilling’s cachet within geothermal increasing even further in the future. It’s been proven time and again that the more the drilling industry is involved with something, the better off that endeavor becomes.
When we have the details on IGSHPA’s next conference and exposition, we’ll pass all of that along.
ND
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