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Innovative Flexible Liners for High Resolution Hydrogeologic Characterization Sealing Boreholes Blank FLUTe Liner Mapping NAPL Bedrock Characteristics Transmissivity Profiling Reverse Head Profiling Multi Level Groundwater Sampling Water FLUTe Shallow Water FLUTe Click Here for the Full List of FLUTe Methods and Products Get The Definitive FLUTe Manual At Amazon AdsP2p Watch the Video Below To Learn More! © 2022 by FLUTe

About Solinst Flute FLUTe Acquired by Solinst Canada Ltd Solinst Canada Ltd, is pleased and excited to announce the recent acquisition of Flexible Liner Underground Technologies (FLUTe). Effective Dec 2, 2024 the new organization will do business as Solinst Flute LLC . FLUTe and Solinst Canada have long been friendly competitive manufacturers of Multilevel Groundwater Monitoring Systems. As the manufacturer of the Waterloo Multilevel System for over 40 years, and the CMT Multilevel System since 1999, Solinst is in a unique position to grow that field with the acquisition of FLUTe. This is a great opportunity, enabling us to offer clients with the most options and the best technologies for multilevel groundwater monitoring projects around the world. Solinst Flute LLC is committed to:  Retaining all current Production and Field Operations staff.  Supporting all existing product warranties.  Delivering the highest quality technologies and customer service you have come to expect.  We are excited about the opportunities this integration presents for our clients and partners. Should you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me directly or your usual contact at either Solinst Canada or Flute.  Thank you for your continued trust and support.  ------------------------------------------------------- In 1996, Carl Keller created a company to apply the unique attributes of inverting/everting flexible liners to underground measurements and other uses. Solinst Flute systems and technologies have received a number of design awards and are covered by numerous patents, with sales to hydrogeologists, large corporations, regulatory agencies, and research institutions throughout North America and around the world. Solinst Flute's manufacturing plant is in Velarde, NM with other facilities in Albuquerque, NM and Warminster, PA. The following senior staff have decades of experience in the flexible liner business: Mark Sanchez Chief Of Operations/Fabrication Ian Sharp Chief of Technology/Fielding Daniel Schramm East Coast Field Manager Steve Martinez Production Manager Lydia Martinez Administrator/Account Manager Solinst Flute International distributors: SWEDEN- Patrik Nilsson, PhD DIC EurGeol, Rosmarus Enviro BRAZIL - Paulo Negrão, Clean Environment Brasil AUSTRALIA - Mike Mercuri, Matrix Drilling PTY LTD

Reverse Head Profile The Reverse Head Profile is a technique developed by FLUTe for measuring the vertical head distribution in a borehole after completion of a FLUTe Transmissivity profile. Click here for the Groundwater Journal 2016 Paper on the Method. How does it work? The method involves the inversion (removal) of the blank liner in a stepwise fashion after the completion of a transmissivity profile. The blank liner is stopped between flow zones of interest as identified by the transmissivity profile. As the blank liner is inverted from the well, it uncovers discrete borehole intervals of interest that were sealed during the Transmissivity profile. A pressure transducer located beneath the liner in the borehole records the new steady state borehole equilibrium pressure, Bhi, after each interval is uncovered. As we already know the transmissivity of each interval and the previous steady state borehole equilibrium pressure, we can calculate the contribution of the newly uncovered borehole interval by using each new “blended head” beneath the liner and writing the flow equations for each increment that has been uncovered. We define the net flow into and out of the hole to be zero, and using the transmissivity, Ti, measured for each increment in the hole, one has only the formation head, FH as an unknown for each newly exposed interval of the hole. For the first open borehole interval beneath the liner: T1(Bh1-FH1) = 0 Hence the formation head, FH1, equals the blended head, Bh1, in the borehole. The transmissivity for each interval, Ti, is obtained from the continuous transmissivity integral (Fig. 1). Upon inverting the liner to uncover a second increment of the borehole: T1(Bh2-FH1) + T2(Bh2-FH2) = 0 Solving for FH2, FH2= [ T1(Bh2-FH1)+ T2 Bh2 ]/T2 Note that for each new position, a new blended head, Bhi, is measured. Figure 1. Continuous Transmissivity Integral Solving for the formation head each time the liner is inverted allows theoretical determination of the head distribution in the formation while removing the same liner that was used to measure the transmissivity and to seal the borehole. The equation for solution of the formation head of the current interval, i, is: FHi = [ T1(Bhi-FH1) + T2(Bhi-FH2) + ……. +Ti Bhi ]/Ti Where Ti is the transmissivity of the ith interval in the hole determined from the liner continuous transmissivity profile, FHi is the calculated formation head of the ith interval, and Bhi is the blended head measured in the borehole after each new ith interval is uncovered. Watching the transducer measurement beneath the liner allows one to judge when a steady-state head has been achieved beneath the liner. Results: Figure 2. Two Reverse Head Profiles conducted for a 30-Meter Borehole. The blue dots were measured from the 1st RHP values, while the black dots were measured during the 2nd RHP. Note that the vertical red line is the original blended head in the borehole and the red plot point at 30-Meters BGS denotes a measurement taken in a very low transmissive zone and therefore is a less reliable head calculation.

FACT - FLUTe Activated Carbon Technique Our FACT service is an innovative method developed by FLUTe for mapping the dissolved phase contaminant distribution in a sealed borehole with 6" to 3' resolution. Figure 1. FACT Construction, with the FACT stitched between the NAPL FLUTe cover (striped) and a diffusion barrier (silver). Figure 2. FACT results for TCE on a 6" scale. How the Service Works: The FACT engineering service involves the use of a 1.5" continuous strip of activated carbon felt that is added to the NAPL FLUTe and emplaced against the borehole wall during the eversion of a blank liner or installation through GeoProbe rods (for overburden applications). Once positioned against the borehole wall, the FACT services procedure wicks by diffusion, contaminants in pore spaces and fracture flows. As the diffusion process takes place in a sealed borehole, the concentrations recorded during the FACT services are not influenced by cross contamination and/or leakage issues often associated with packer-based characterization. After 2 weeks, the FACT installation is removed from the well, cut into the desired sample intervals (6" to 3') and sent to the lab for analysis (EPA 8265). The pressure exerted by the liner on the borehole wall (generally 5 to 10 feet of water pressure) creates a strong seal which prevents preferential flows from developing. Concerns of influence by contact with borehole water are put to rest from the protection provided by the hydrophobic NAPL FLUTe cover and very fast installation and removal procedures. This minimizes interval exposure times (a few seconds). As a precaution, the borehole water is usually pumped from the hole as the liner is everted. FACT Service Results: The measurements obtained by the FACT method are very representative and therefore show where the true contaminant peaks are located at depth. The replica contaminant distribution can be used along with FLUTe Transmissivity Profiling data to design a multi-level groundwater sampling system and fate/transport CSM. Figure 3: Transmissivity Profile and FACT data. Note the high TCE concentrations at 112' and 140' BGS in very low transmissive fractures compared to low TCE concentrations in high flowing fractures at 90' and 130'. The TCE concentrations at 140' and 112' are the same or twice as high, respectively, as the highest flowing fracture in the borehole at 130' despite the fact that they are two of the lowest flowing fractures in the borehole. This data emphasizes the need for high resolution methods rather than coarse measurements to assure that all significant contaminant source zones are properly identified during characterization. Water Samples (green diamonds), validate the FACT concentrations. Click Here for the FACT Method for a Continuous Contaminant Profile Presentation - NGWA October 2017 TECHNICAL NOTES: Installation Times: FLUTe liner systems should be installed as quickly as possible after the hole is drilled to minimize cross connection effects of the borehole water on the pore water in the open borehole. Reaction Times: Vadose Zone: The FACT is typically left in place for 48 hours for a vadose zone installation to allow the diffusion process from the formation into the carbon. Saturated Zone: The FACT should be left in place in the saturated zone for about two weeks due to the diffusion coefficient being much smaller in water than in air. A diffusion calculation shows that two days is long enough to "see" about 0.5cm into the borehole wall with 7% porosity. Concentration in pores is 2,700 ug/L. That improves after 2 weeks. Academic Analysis of the FACT: A master's thesis is available by Monique Beyer of the Danish Technical University which is a rigorous assessment of the FACT analysis method and its use for a fractured rock site.

Blank Liner Procedures Blank liner installation procedures Whereas FLUTe personnel are most experienced in the installation of blank liners, it has become more common for our customers to install their own blank liners. This is especially convenient for installing sealing liners immediately after a borehole is completed and preferably after the borehole has been well developed, if the natural flow paths in the formation are important to the use of the borehole. Many drilling companies have now gained experience with FLUTe blank liner installations and removals. However, not everyone in each drilling company has the same amount of training and experience. It is important to assure that an experienced individual will be doing the installation or removal. Blank Liner Installation Information: Blank Liner Installation Procedure How Deeply Must a liner be Installed in a Borehole? Maximum Liner Tension and Pressure Limits FLUTe has developed a 55 minute video teaching the proper blank liner installation and removal procedures using FLUTe’s ancillary equipment. A blank liner can be installed directly from the shipping reel, but it requires special care and equipment to remove a blank liner. For a copy of the video, please contact us. If preferred, FLUTe can provide assistance with the installation and removal of blank liners. If there are any uncertainties about an installation or removal, FLUTe should be contacted for guidance. Blank liner use with other borehole measurements It is often convenient for all the boreholes to be completed and sealed with a liner before the geophysical, or other, measurements are performed. A common practice is to complete the drilling and sealing of all the boreholes and to then invite FLUTe to remove a liner for the geophysical measurements while FLUTe then removes a second liner. Then the geophysics crew moves to the second hole while FLUTe preforms the reinstallation of the first liner with a transmissivity profile measurement. FLUTe then removes the third liner, and then reinstalls the second liner, etc... In this manner, both the FLUTe transmissivity profiles and geophysical measurements are done in one mobilization with substantial cost savings. It has been found that the blank liner removal can be helpful to the better development of the borehole. Click here for a number of solutions to risky open borehole development. Another alternative is for the geophysics, and perhaps packer testing, to be done before the borehole is sealed with a liner, but in that case, the boreholes are open longer for cross connecting flow. The above procedures do not conveniently allow for packer testing. If a multi-level system is to be installed, packer testing for contaminant assessment may not be necessary and the time the borehole is open is minimized.

Water FLUTe Procedures Brief Water FLUTe Installation Procedure Water FLUTe Sampling Procedure-Before May 2009 Water FLUTe Sampling Procedure-After May 2009

Why Seal a Borehole? Sealing a borehole with FLUTe liners after drilling prevents cross contamination . With traditional practice, the borehole is left open for extended periods of time between the time the borehole was drilled and downhole characterization. Additionally, if straddle packer systems are used for characterization, large portions of the borehole remain unsealed during all portions of the investigation. The problems that can occur when boreholes remain open include mobilization of contaminants into the open borehole, contaminant adhesion to the borehole wall, and contaminated migration from the open borehole into previously uncontaminated fractures (See "Figure 1" and "Figure 2"). Additionally, when making measurements with straddle packers, which by default leave portions of the borehole open, leakage past the packer can result in exaggerated flow rates and contaminant distributions that are erred from cross contamination with mixed borehole water. By using FLUTe liners, the borehole is either sealed while all downhole measurements are collected or as the liner sequentially seals off flow paths. In the way, the data integrity is very high as cross contamination and cross flow measurements cannot occur. Figure 1. DNAPL confined to an isolated fracture Figure 2. DNAPL spread to other fractures as a result of the newly drilled borehole acting as a flow path between otherwise unconnected fractures.

Employment Opportunities FLUTe is always accepting applications for the following areas: • Fabricators of FLUTe liners at our Velarde, NM plant, halfway between Taos and Santa Fe. • Installation personnel in our Albuquerque, NM office or our Warminster, PA office. • Scientists with background in mechanical engineering, geophysics, hydrology, or physics. • Marketing and IT professionals. Benefits and Requirements: •FLUTe offers substantial employee benefits of health insurance, vacation, and retirement funds. •FLUTe provides training in the unique functions of flexible liner technology. No experience is expected in this exceptional technology. Capability and interest in mechanical systems is desired. •Extensive travel is common to most positions. •Good health and physical strength are important to most positions. To apply for a position, please use the "Contact Us" button below to go the Contact Us form. Select "Employment Opportunities" from the drop down, and in the message field summarize the position you are interested in and your experience and we will get back you.

Blank Liner Procedures Blank liner installation procedures Whereas FLUTe personnel are most experienced in the installation of blank liners, it has become more common for our customers to install their own blank liners. This is especially convenient for installing sealing liners immediately after a borehole is completed and preferably after the borehole has been well developed, if the natural flow paths in the formation are important to the use of the borehole. Many drilling companies have now gained experience with FLUTe blank liner installations and removals. However, not everyone in each drilling company has the same amount of training and experience. It is important to assure that an experienced individual will be doing the installation or removal. Blank Liner Installation Information: Blank Liner Installation Procedure How Deeply Must a liner be Installed in a Borehole? Maximum Liner Tension and Pressure Limits FLUTe has developed a 55 minute video teaching the proper blank liner installation and removal procedures using FLUTe’s ancillary equipment. A blank liner can be installed directly from the shipping reel, but it requires special care and equipment to remove a blank liner. For a copy of the video, please contact us. If preferred, FLUTe can provide assistance with the installation and removal of blank liners. If there are any uncertainties about an installation or removal, FLUTe should be contacted for guidance. Blank liner use with other borehole measurements It is often convenient for all the boreholes to be completed and sealed with a liner before the geophysical, or other, measurements are performed. A common practice is to complete the drilling and sealing of all the boreholes and to then invite FLUTe to remove a liner for the geophysical measurements while FLUTe then removes a second liner. Then the geophysics crew moves to the second hole while FLUTe preforms the reinstallation of the first liner with a transmissivity profile measurement. FLUTe then removes the third liner, and then reinstalls the second liner, etc... In this manner, both the FLUTe transmissivity profiles and geophysical measurements are done in one mobilization with substantial cost savings. It has been found that the blank liner removal can be helpful to the better development of the borehole. Click here for a number of solutions to risky open borehole development. Another alternative is for the geophysics, and perhaps packer testing, to be done before the borehole is sealed with a liner, but in that case, the boreholes are open longer for cross connecting flow. The above procedures do not conveniently allow for packer testing. If a multi-level system is to be installed, packer testing for contaminant assessment may not be necessary and the time the borehole is open is minimized.

Liner Mechanics FLUTe liners are delivered to the site on a shipping reel with the liner wound inside out (see "Figure 1"). The open end of the liner is clamped to the wellhead and the liner is then pushed inside the casing a foot or so to create a small pocket. Water is then added to the pocket to a level above the water table of the formation, creating a driving pressure on the bottom end of the liner. The driving pressure (typically 5 to 10 feet of water pressure) allows the liner to propagate down the borehole (eversion), displacing the borehole water into open flow paths and seals the liner firmly to the borehole wall (see "Animation"). Figure 1. Liner on Shipping Reel Figure 2. Water Addition to the liner Animation: Liner Eversion The pressure exerted by the liner on the borehole wall is very strong and seals off all fracture flows in the borehole (see "Video"). The driving pressure needed to evert the liner down the borehole mainly depends on the head of the formation. For high head or artesian conditions, differential pressure can be achieved by the addition of higher density muds to the interior of the liner or by the use of stand pipes and elevated platforms during installation. Video: Liner Sealing Quality Video

Contact Us Today To Learn More About FLUTe FLUTe Headquarters and Manufacturing Facility 1091 NM-68 Alcalde, NM 87511 Contact Number: (505) 852 0128 FLUTe East Coast Field Office 835 Nina Way Warminster, PA 18974 Contact Number: (215) 394-5760 FLUTe Albuquerque Field Office 2412 Princeton Drive NE Albuquerque, NM 87107 Contact Number: (505)-883-4032