MANSFIELD WOODHOUSE

SWIMMING BATHS

Client - GECCO 2
Main Contractor - Tomlinson Construction
Project - Closed Loop, Ground Source Heat Pump System

In June 2009 GDC were appointed as specialist Ground Source Drilling Contractors by Gecco2 to undertake the drilling and installation of heat exchangers on the newly named Rebecca Adlington Swimming Centre in Mansfield Woodhouse.

Based on Gecco2’s theoretical design calculations, subsequently confirmed by on site response testing, GDC drilled 18 boreholes at 115mm diameter to 125 metres in depth, utilising Polycrystalline diamond drilling bits to penetrate the predominantly competent Triassic, Sherwood sandstone sequence.

In order to comply with the specified requirements regarding minimal environmental impact, water flush drilling was undertaken via a settlement tank with baffles in order to contain all drill flushings. Drill arisings were subsequently removed for disposal and clean water recycled.

Single loop, 40mm PE100SDR11 heat exchangers, 125 meters in length were installed within the boreholes and following water pressure testing to confirm the loop integrity, the loops were grouted into position with a high thermal conductivity grout.

The contract was completed ahead of programme and on budget, primarily due to good communication between all parties and the deployment of a trained and experienced drilling team, dedicated geothermal drilling rig, appropriate grouting equipment, loop handling system and quality loops and grout.