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Air Development

  • Writer: David Bennett
    David Bennett
  • May 20
  • 6 min read

Air development is a common and effective method for cleaning out and improving the yield of a groundwater well after it's been drilled. The basic principle is to use compressed air to agitate and lift water and fine sediment (like sand, silt, and clay) from the well, helping to clear the well screen, the gravel pack (if present), and the aquifer material immediately surrounding the borehole.

This process helps to:

  • Remove drilling fluids and cuttings.

  • Reduce compaction and smearing of the aquifer material caused by drilling.

  • Stabilize the sand and gravel around the screen.

  • Maximize the well's efficiency and yield.

There are two main methods of air development: Air Lifting and Air Surging (often combined with Air Lifting).

Here’s a breakdown of how it's typically done:

1. Equipment Needed:

  • Air Compressor: This needs to be a high-volume, oil-free air compressor. The required capacity (CFM - cubic feet per minute, and PSI - pounds per square inch) will depend on the well depth, water level, and the diameter of the eductor pipe. It's crucial to use an oil-free compressor or have an effective oil filter because you don't want to contaminate the groundwater with oil.

  • Eductor Pipe (or Drop Pipe/Air Line): This is a pipe lowered into the well through which compressed air is injected. Its diameter will be smaller than the well casing.

  • Discharge Hose/Pipe: To direct the lifted water and sediment away from the wellhead to a suitable disposal area (you don't want it flowing back into the well or causing erosion).

  • Wellhead Assembly/Seal: To control the discharge and prevent blowback.

  • Pressure Gauge: To monitor air pressure.

  • Downhole Camera (Optional but Recommended): Can be very useful for inspecting the well before and after development to assess effectiveness.

  • Water Level Indicator: To monitor drawdown and recovery.

  • Turbidity Meter (Optional): To measure the clarity of the discharged water, indicating when development is becoming effective.

  • Surge Block (for Air Surging): A tool that fits snugly inside the well casing or screen, used to create a more forceful surging action.


2. General Procedure - Air Lifting:

This is the most basic form of air development.

  • Setup:

    • Position the air compressor a safe distance from the well.

    • Connect the air line from the compressor to the eductor pipe.

    • Lower the eductor pipe into the well. Initially, it's often placed near the bottom of the well screen or the bottom of the well. The depth of submergence of the airline below the static water level is critical for effective lifting. A general rule of thumb is that the airline should be submerged about 60% of its length (from the static water level to the point of air injection) for efficient lifting, but this can vary.

    • Secure the wellhead to direct the discharge.

  • Pumping/Lifting:

    • Start the air compressor and gradually introduce air into the eductor pipe.

    • As air is injected, it mixes with the water in the eductor pipe, reducing its density. The higher-density water in the surrounding well and aquifer then pushes the lighter air-water mixture up and out of the eductor pipe.

    • Initially, the discharge will likely be very dirty, containing drilling mud, fine sand, silt, and clay.

    • Continue air lifting, systematically raising and lowering the eductor pipe across the entire length of the well screen. This helps to draw fines from all zones. Some practitioners work from the top of the screen downwards, others from the bottom up.

    • Monitor the discharge. You're looking for the water to gradually clear up.

    • Periodically stop the airflow to allow the well to recover and for more fines to settle, then resume lifting. This can create a gentle surging action.

  • Duration: Continue until the water discharged is consistently clean and relatively free of sediment, even after stopping and restarting the process. The time required can vary from a few hours to many hours or even days for large or particularly dirty wells.


3. Procedure - Air Surging (often used in conjunction with Air Lifting):

Air surging is a more vigorous development method that uses the compressed air to create a back-and-forth motion of water through the screen and surrounding formation. This helps to dislodge finer particles.

  • Setup: Similar to air lifting, but you might use a surge block or simply manipulate the eductor pipe and air pressure more aggressively.

  • Surging Action:

    • Without a Surge Block: This involves injecting a large volume of air for a short period to lift the water column, then rapidly stopping the air supply. This causes the water column to fall back into the well, creating a surge. This process is repeated.

    • With a Surge Block: A surge block is a plunger-like tool attached to a drill string or pipe. It's moved up and down in the well casing or screen.

      • Upstroke: When the block is pulled upwards, it creates suction, drawing water and fines into the well.

      • Downstroke: When pushed downwards, it forces water out through the screen and into the formation, dislodging particles.

      • Air can be used in conjunction with a surge block. For example, air lifting can be used to remove the sediment brought into the well by the surging action.

    • Alternatively, air can be injected below a surge block to build up pressure, then released or used to lift the block, creating a powerful surge.

  • Intermittent Pumping: After periods of surging, the well is typically pumped by air lifting to remove the dislodged sediment.

  • Systematic Approach: Like air lifting, surging should be applied systematically across the entire length of the well screen.


4. Key Considerations & Best Practices:

  • Geology: The type of aquifer material will influence the development strategy. Fine sandy aquifers may require gentle, prolonged development, while coarser formations might tolerate more vigorous methods. Be cautious in highly stratified formations to avoid damaging finer layers.

  • Well Design: The type of well screen (e.g., slotted, wire-wrapped) and gravel pack will affect how development is approached. Some screens are more robust than others.

  • Over-Development: It's possible to over-develop a well, particularly with excessive air pressure or surging in certain formations. This could damage the well screen or the formation. Start gently and increase intensity as needed.

  • Monitoring:

    • Water Clarity (Turbidity): Monitor the sediment content of the discharged water. The goal is to see it reduce significantly.

    • Drawdown and Yield: Observe how the water level in the well responds and the amount of water being produced.

  • Disposal of Discharged Water: Ensure the sediment-laden water is discharged to an area where it won't cause erosion, environmental damage, or flow back towards the well. Local regulations in places like High Wycombe, Western Australia, may dictate how and where this water can be discharged.

  • Safety:

    • Always wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including eye protection and hearing protection (compressors are loud).

    • Be cautious of high-pressure air lines.

    • Ensure the wellhead is secure to prevent uncontrolled discharge or blowouts.

    • Have at least two people present for safety.

  • Record Keeping: Keep detailed records of the development process: depths worked, air pressures used, duration of development at each interval, discharge clarity, and water levels. This is valuable for future well maintenance and understanding well performance.

  • Experience: Well development, especially with air, is often best performed by experienced drillers or well technicians. They can interpret the well's response and adjust the technique accordingly.

In the context of Western Australia:

  • The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) in WA has guidelines and requirements for water well construction and development. It's important to be aware of and comply with these.

  • The specific geology of your location in High Wycombe will influence the best approach. This area can have various formations, including clays, sands, and harder rock at depth.


When to Stop:

Development is generally considered complete when:

  • The discharged water remains clean and free of sediment, even after shutting down the air and restarting (re-suspending any settled particles).

  • The specific capacity (yield per unit of drawdown) of the well stabilizes or meets the desired target.


Air development is a powerful technique, but it requires careful execution to be effective and to avoid damaging the well. If you are not experienced, it is highly recommended to hire a qualified and licensed well driller or pump contractor in your area.

 



 
 
 

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