SOCOTEC Develops New Wireline Instrumented Packer System for Permeability Testing
SOCOTEC’s Ground Investigation division has developed a brand new self-contained wireline instrumented packer system, the Transducer Packer Slave Reeler (TPSR).
Specifically designed for carrying out water pressure permeability tests (‘packer tests’) in boreholes, the packer system has been built in line with BS EN ISO 22282-3 industry standards and houses all water flow, pneumatic and data logging controls, including water supply surge suppression, compressed gas supply, flowmeters and data loggers.
The TPSR surface unit features a combination of single and double inflatable packer options, which are fitted to the end of a 100m umbilical water injection hose and wound onto a hydraulic-powered slave reeler winch. Data cables and the packer inflation line are combined as part of the umbilical hose, while transducers are fitted to the packer to monitor the test section and borehole pressures.
Bringing together a number of new innovations to maximise safety and efficiency and provide high quality data on ground conditions, the new packer system is suitable for single and double packer tests up to a depth of 100m and borehole diameters from between 85 and 155mm. It also has a variable test section length ranging from 1 to 5m.
Furthermore, the surface unit is able to directly measure and deliver readouts of test pressures, test sections and water flow in real-time, thereby eliminating the need for head loss correction. It is supplied with calibration/test certificates for all instrumentation and equipment, and is skid mounted to allow for ease of transportation via a plant trailer, forklift or telehandler.
Commenting on the new wireline packer system, Clare Chapman, operations director, Ground Investigation, SOCOTEC UK, said: “The development of the Transducer Packer Slave Reeler aligns directly with SOCOTEC’s commitment to delivering a high quality service and expanding its range of specialist equipment.
“We are confident that this new surface unit will allow us to keep on raising the standards of accuracy, safety and efficiency within the ground investigation industry and exceed our clients’ expectations by finding new, innovative ways to assist them across their entire project lifecycle.”
“The development of the Transducer Packer Slave Reeler aligns directly with SOCOTEC’s commitment to delivering a high quality service and expanding its range of specialist equipment.
“We are confident that this new surface unit will allow us to keep on raising the standards of accuracy, safety and efficiency within the ground investigation industry and exceed our clients’ expectations by finding new, innovative ways to assist them across their entire project lifecycle.”
SOCOTEC’s Transducer Wireline Packer System has been recognised for its innovative design, having recently been shortlisted in the Award for Equipment Innovation category at the upcoming GE Awards 2020. This will take place on 11 June and will see SOCOTEC compete with fellow geotechnical organisations to claim the prestigious accolade.
