Infiltration and Geothermal Wells
Infiltration and Geothermal Wells
(OP)
Hey Guys
I have a project for a local college and they want to be as green as possible. They want to construct a new building but they want to infiltrate as much runoff as possible so I'm picking up the runoff from the building and a rather large area surrounding the building for infiltration and as a result, a rather large seepage bed (100' x 200' x 2.5' deep) has been designed in an area outside any tree disturbance. The campus is mostly wooded between the existing buildings and they are insistent that no trees be disturbed as a result of this project.
I'm currently ready to submit for final plan approval and the Architect has just recently indicated that the new building will require a geothermal well system. There is no where in close proximity to the new building where a well system could be installed without removing lots of trees. The architect wants to put the Geothermal system under the seepage bed. I told him that was a bad idea but aside from some possible compaction from the drilling equipment, I can any other reason no to do it.
Here's the question... Can anyone think of a reason not to allow a geothermal system under a seepage bed? I think its a bad idea but I'm not sure why.
Thanks
I have a project for a local college and they want to be as green as possible. They want to construct a new building but they want to infiltrate as much runoff as possible so I'm picking up the runoff from the building and a rather large area surrounding the building for infiltration and as a result, a rather large seepage bed (100' x 200' x 2.5' deep) has been designed in an area outside any tree disturbance. The campus is mostly wooded between the existing buildings and they are insistent that no trees be disturbed as a result of this project.
I'm currently ready to submit for final plan approval and the Architect has just recently indicated that the new building will require a geothermal well system. There is no where in close proximity to the new building where a well system could be installed without removing lots of trees. The architect wants to put the Geothermal system under the seepage bed. I told him that was a bad idea but aside from some possible compaction from the drilling equipment, I can any other reason no to do it.
Here's the question... Can anyone think of a reason not to allow a geothermal system under a seepage bed? I think its a bad idea but I'm not sure why.
Thanks





RE: Infiltration and Geothermal Wells
RE: Infiltration and Geothermal Wells
Mike Lambert
RE: Infiltration and Geothermal Wells
RE: Infiltration and Geothermal Wells
My thought was that there has to be some maintenance associated with the geo-thermal system but I don't know if the actual wells would be affected.
RE: Infiltration and Geothermal Wells
I've only had a passing contact with this field- but I hope the architect isn't designing your geothermal well system.
As a chem eng/metallurgist the first part of any answer I give starts with "It Depends"
RE: Infiltration and Geothermal Wells
I asked if they could somehow install the geothermal wells around the existing trees and the answer was no, although I suspect they never consulted the mechanical contractor. I also asked if they could install the well system within the adjacent existing parking lot and the answer was also no.
I've floated the idea past the the Reviewing engineer to see what he says. If he says no then they'll have no other choice other than to have the system redesigned.
RE: Infiltration and Geothermal Wells
Hydrology, Drainage Analysis, Flood Studies, and Complex Stormwater Litigation for Atlanta and the South East - http://www.campbellcivil.com
RE: Infiltration and Geothermal Wells
Most commonly will be multi wells or trench and bury depending system design and size.
RE: Infiltration and Geothermal Wells
The "pure water" in heat exchanger "closed loops" is not drinking water, but is almost always treated to reduce oxygen, salts, corrosion products, etc.