De-Aeration Equipment
At Terra Monitoring, we're constantly seeking innovative solutions to provide our clients with accurate and reliable data, even when dealing with long-standing infrastructure. That's why we're thrilled to introduce the Geokon Nold DeAerator to our suite of advanced monitoring tools. This powerful device plays a crucial role in maintaining the integrity and functionality of hydraulic piezometer systems and settlement cells, particularly those that have been in service for many years.
What does the Geokon Nold DeAerator do?
In essence, the Geokon Nold DeAerator is designed to remove air and dissolved gases from the water within hydraulic monitoring lines. Over time, air can accumulate in these lines, whether through minor leaks, diffusion through the pipe material, or simply during routine maintenance. This entrapped air can significantly compromise the accuracy of pressure readings from piezometers.
Here's why de-aeration is so vital:
What does the Geokon Nold DeAerator do?
In essence, the Geokon Nold DeAerator is designed to remove air and dissolved gases from the water within hydraulic monitoring lines. Over time, air can accumulate in these lines, whether through minor leaks, diffusion through the pipe material, or simply during routine maintenance. This entrapped air can significantly compromise the accuracy of pressure readings from piezometers.
Here's why de-aeration is so vital:
- Ensuring Accurate Readings: Air in the system can create compressible pockets, leading to erroneous and inconsistent pressure measurements. The DeAerator ensures that the hydraulic lines are filled with incompressible water, allowing for true and precise readings of pore water pressure.
- Preventing System Malfunctions: Air bubbles can also block or partially obstruct the flow of water, hindering the proper operation of the piezometer and its associated gauges. By removing air, the DeAerator helps maintain a clear and unobstructed hydraulic path.
- Extending System Lifespan: A well-maintained, air-free hydraulic system reduces stress on components and prevents potential damage caused by cavitation or erratic pressure fluctuations, thereby extending the overall lifespan of the monitoring setup.
Terra Monitoring Puts the DeAerator to the Test in the Western Cape
Our team recently put the newly acquired Geokon Nold DeAerator to the ultimate test, mobilising down to a wet and windy Western Cape, which was in the throes of the first cold front of the winter. This challenging environment provided the perfect proving ground for the DeAerator's capabilities. Our mission was to revitalise a crucial monitoring system involving 50-year-old Bishop-style piezometers, originally installed in the 1980s.
The process involved meticulous work:
"After checking and repairing all the existing 6mm pipes leading from the 50-year-old Bishop-style Piezometers that were installed in the 1980's, we then cleaned up the valves and gauges in order for us to be able to clean out the lines to the piezometers and test the integrity of both the piezometers installed in the wall as well as the lines leading to them. 11 of the 12 lines were found to still be intact. Going forward the old boards will be replaced with new pressure gauges, and switches, and all existing piping that can be reached will be replaced with new piping. This will give the client a system where they are able to monitor their hydrostatic pressures in the wall using 50-year-old piezometers instead of having to drill and install expensive new VWP's. This is a service we will now be able to offer all our clients with the older Bishop-style piezometers installed in their dams." says Barry Kruger, Coastal Director for GeoGroup.
This successful project exemplifies how innovation and expertise allow us to breathe new life into legacy monitoring systems. By ensuring the integrity and accuracy of these invaluable instruments, we empower our clients to continue monitoring critical hydrostatic pressures without the significant expense and disruption of installing entirely new vibrating wire piezometers (VWPs).
A New Service Offering for Our Clients
We are excited to announce that this specialised service – the cleaning, testing, and de-aeration of older Bishop-style piezometer systems – is now available to all our clients with similar installations in their dams. Terra Monitoring is committed to providing cost-effective, sustainable, and highly effective solutions for all your geotechnical monitoring needs.
Our team recently put the newly acquired Geokon Nold DeAerator to the ultimate test, mobilising down to a wet and windy Western Cape, which was in the throes of the first cold front of the winter. This challenging environment provided the perfect proving ground for the DeAerator's capabilities. Our mission was to revitalise a crucial monitoring system involving 50-year-old Bishop-style piezometers, originally installed in the 1980s.
The process involved meticulous work:
"After checking and repairing all the existing 6mm pipes leading from the 50-year-old Bishop-style Piezometers that were installed in the 1980's, we then cleaned up the valves and gauges in order for us to be able to clean out the lines to the piezometers and test the integrity of both the piezometers installed in the wall as well as the lines leading to them. 11 of the 12 lines were found to still be intact. Going forward the old boards will be replaced with new pressure gauges, and switches, and all existing piping that can be reached will be replaced with new piping. This will give the client a system where they are able to monitor their hydrostatic pressures in the wall using 50-year-old piezometers instead of having to drill and install expensive new VWP's. This is a service we will now be able to offer all our clients with the older Bishop-style piezometers installed in their dams." says Barry Kruger, Coastal Director for GeoGroup.
This successful project exemplifies how innovation and expertise allow us to breathe new life into legacy monitoring systems. By ensuring the integrity and accuracy of these invaluable instruments, we empower our clients to continue monitoring critical hydrostatic pressures without the significant expense and disruption of installing entirely new vibrating wire piezometers (VWPs).
A New Service Offering for Our Clients
We are excited to announce that this specialised service – the cleaning, testing, and de-aeration of older Bishop-style piezometer systems – is now available to all our clients with similar installations in their dams. Terra Monitoring is committed to providing cost-effective, sustainable, and highly effective solutions for all your geotechnical monitoring needs.
Plot 28 Central Road
Sunrella, Lanseria
Gauteng
South Africa
Tel. +27 (0)861 436 632
Email. info@geogroup.co.za