32 MARCH 2023 WorldWide Drilling Resource® The Well Bubbler® ~ A Unique Well Monitoring Device by Alexander Bugrov, MSME The Well Bubbler The primary reason for well monitoring is to protect the well and pump. When the water level reaches the pump, the well is overdrafted, leading to pump and motor damage. Submersible motors overheat due to lack of cooling, and pump impellers are damaged due to cavitation. A PVC well casing can become heat damaged and warped, resulting in a stuck pump. Lastly, exposed well screen slowly clogs, reducing the well recharge rate. Types of Well Monitors: Well levels can be manually measured using a liquid level tape, or an electronic sounding tool. For permanent, automated level measurement, there are three common types of sensors: level transducers, acoustic sensors, and bubbler systems. A level transducer is a precision pressure sensor which is lowered into the well. The body of a transducer is typically one inch in diameter, and four to six inches long. These devices are accurate, reliable, and available from several reputable U.S. manufacturers. However, transducers can snag on motor wiring and downhole equipment during installation. They can become fouled by turbine lubricating oil, which collects on top of the water column. Poor wellhead access can prevent the installation of a transducer, and a sensor which is lowered to the pump intake can destroy the pump itself. Lastly, transducers require data loggers, software or SCADA, and telemetry products to complete a well monitoring system. Acoustic level sensors send a sound pulse into the well, and listen for the echo. This technology is used in tank level monitoring, and has recently been adapted for wells. However, a typical well has many horizontal surfaces, such as pipe couplings and torque arrestors, which also reflect the sound wave, creating false echoes. As a result, the acoustic sensor makes an educated guess, rather than a level measurement. Bubbler systems use the air line method: a pipe or tube is installed in the well, and compressed air is used to purge the air line; the well level is calculated from the resulting back pressure. The air line is cheap and flexible, and the sensitive electronics remain on the surface. The Well Bubbler® is a modern improvement on a time-honored approach, and includes the compressor, flow monitoring, built-in telemetry, a pump control relay, and solar power. It is an integrated, turnkey well monitoring and protection system. The Well Bubbler automatically measures the well level, flow rate, and other important parameters in the well every fifteen minutes. If the level is too low, the Well Bubbler will send an alert to your smartphone or e-mail. It can also turn off the well pump until the water level recovers, protecting the pump. WTR Thanks! I enjoy your publication every month! Larry J. Tindel Tindel’s Well Drilling Plant City, FL Thank you, Ronnie! I appreciate your professionalism! And it’s been a long time coming (retirement). Wes Britenstine
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