Investigations on the performance of a mechatronic system for water well rehabilitation using high power ultrasonics

In Denmark the public water supply is practically 100% served by groundwater abstracted from nearly 20.000 water wells. During time of operation the productivity from a well will often decrease drastically. This impaired performance is usually caused by well clogging. This clogging makes the well economically inefficient for the operator and therefore needs to be rehabilitated. This article examines the performance and evaluates the effectiveness of high power ultrasonics for water well rehabilitation. Special focus is drawn to the inconsistent efficiency of the currently, rarely used ultrasonic cleaning method caused by the specific varying conditions in water wells and correlated ultrasound intensity losses. The scope for improving the, in Denmark, rarely used ultrasonic cleaning method efficiency is investigated and suggestions for improvements based on a proofof-concept prototype are given based on empirical- as well as theoretical studies.