2012 NGWA Ground Water Summit: Innovate and Integrate

Sustainable Construction and Operation of Water Wells—Glass Beads the Alternative Filter Pack

Monday, May 7, 2012: 4:20 p.m.
Royal Ballroom D/F (Hyatt Regency Orange County)
Reinhard A. Klaus, Hydrogeologist, Sigmund Lindner GmbH;

The poor quality ( e.g. shape, breaking resistance, grading curve, purity) of natural sand and gravel as filter material in water wells lead to insufficient hydraulics, well clogging, reduced lifecycles and increasing O & M costs.

High quality glass beads as a substitute turned out to be a significant step ahead in well performance, O & M costs and lifetime.

This Application received positive reviews from Professional Associations, scientific institutions in Germany and the Innovation Award of the Bavarian Construction Confederation.

Comparative laboratory tests proved advantages in: Roundness, specific surface, grading curve, breaking resistance, abrasion resistance, surface profile, chemical resistance.

Also for  hydraulic properties like: Packing Properties / Compression Set, Pore Volume, Hydraulic Conductivity.

As well as 40 % less adsorption for iron and manganese oxides which extends well regeneration intervals and life/operation cycles of the well.

Up to date more than 3000 metric tons in more than 80 wells in western Europe proved the laboratory results.

Using glass beads in water wells is a progress in well construction and shifts the state of the art to a higher level with the benefit of cost savings for O & M and pumping energy.

Promising results and positive feedback are also coming from the wastewater and water treatment sector. To date there is a Patent pending from a manufacturer of filters for swimming pools, test applications in the sewage water filtration are also initiated.