Hydro excavation

Oct 28
20:08

2020

Nancy Whitman

Nancy Whitman

  • Share this article on Facebook
  • Share this article on Twitter
  • Share this article on Linkedin

Hydro vacuum excavation denotes removal or translocation of soil using pressurized water. After the separation is done, the remaining soil and debris are then transferred to a debris bank using a vacuum or air conveyance.

mediaimage

Hydro vacuum excavation denotes removal or translocation of soil using pressurized water. After the separation is done,Hydro excavation Articles the remaining soil and debris are then transferred to a debris bank using a vacuum or air conveyance. It is known as one of the best methods of using underground utilities without destroying the soil quality. This known method has recently gained popularity because of Canadian contractors who realized the efficiency of this method in the oil and gas industry in comparison to other methods. It also gained popularity in Canada because there because of cold weather, the soil usually freezes up but using this method with heated water eased the job leaps and bounds.

How does it work?

The primary mechanism behind this method is combining the high-pressure water using air vacuum, which instantly cuts through the soil. The debris is then lifted using the vacuum and transported to the debris bank. 

The only requirement for this method is that it needs a source of vacuum. Now, this can be arranged in two ways, which are using a fan system or using a positive displacement blower. In the first instance, the entire fan system blows air in huge amounts which helps in a faster excavation of the site. Also, this method is much easier to use and control as this is comparatively lighter and much less expensive than the second method. This method is widely used because it can suit any site for use.

On the other hand, in the displacement blower method, the workers can move air to a longer distance in comparison to the previous method. In this method, though the excavations can be done to much deeper soils as well, this excavation is at a relatively slower rate. 

Applications

Whichever method you might choose for excavation, but it must be kept in mind that both subsurface and underground facilities are needed to aid excavation. If you continue excavation without these external aids, it involves a lot of risks and is not an easy job to deal with. This method of hydro excavation has reduced these risks to a great extent; also, this method is widely applicable on almost all excavation sites.

This method of hydro excavation is used to line, sign and installation and location of the pole. Further, it can also be used for daylighting and potholing. Besides these things, it also does not lead to any congestion or traffic jams for the sites where this method is used, because the types of equipment used here can be positioned at a distance and used from there. 

This method also has a use in the case of rehabilitation of piper and sewer as it not only reduces the risk of puncturing the pipes while excavation but it also reduces the time and cost of repairs in comparison to the other methods.

Besides all these applications, this method can also be employed in the case of landscaping, as here excavation can be done to that specific place only without disturbing the surrounding soil. 

Benefits

This method is now one of the most preferred methods in industrial excavation owing to several benefits that are accompanied because of its accurate and efficient results. One of the primary advantages over mechanical methods is that it provides not only better damage but also better safety features. Also, because of its accuracy, the numbers of accidents are limited to a great extent for both labourers and other people involved. 

As stated above, it also prevents any damage to underground pipes, lines or cables, thereby reducing high expenses usually needed for repairs and restoration.