Ranney collector
A Ranney collector is a patented type of radial well used to extract water from an aquifer with direct connection to a surface water source like a river or lake. The amount of water available from the collector is typically related more to the surface water source than to the piezometric surface of the aquifer.[1]
Description
A caisson is constructed into sand or gravel below the surface level of an adjacent river or lake.[1] Screened conduits are extended horizontally from ports in the caisson about 60 meters (200 feet) into surrounding water-bearing alluvium.[2] The radial arrangement of screens forms a large infiltration gallery with a single central withdrawal point.[1] A single collector may produce as much as 25 million gallons per day.[2] Bank filtration of water through aquifer soils may reduce water treatment requirements.[2]
History
Texas petroleum engineer Leo Ranney drilled horizontally for oil in the early 1920s. The first Ranney collector for water was installed in London in 1933. Hundreds of Ranney collectors have been built since.[3]
References
External links
- Henry Hunt, From Oil to Water: The story of Leo Ranney, http://www.collectorwellsint.com/pdf/LeoRanney.pdf. This article was published by Water Well Journal in October
2003 (Volume 57 Number 10).
- Ranney Collector Wells company web site, http://www.layne.com/en/solutions/construction/ranney-collector-wells.aspx?mid=464. This company is currently constructing Ranney Collector Wells.
