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Braun Intertec Geothermal SOQ
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Ground Heat Exchanger Consulting & Testing Services
W e u n d e r s t a n d h o w t h e e a r t h w o r k s ™
We understand how the earth works™
1
Building a Partnership
The Story of Braun Intertec
In 1957, Jack Braun founded the company that is
now known as Braun Intertec out of his home in a
Minneapolis suburb. Mr. Braun’s entrepreneurial
spirit and dedicated leadership helped the company
to grow and expand its service offerings to public
and private sector clients in many markets. Today,
Braun Intertec continues to be a leading
engineering, environmental and testing consulting
firm, with a staff of more than 500 employee-
owners spanning 15 offices across the Upper
Midwest. As we continue to build relationships in
emerging markets and recruit new talent, we never
lose sight of our humble beginnings and the many
strong and supportive relationships we’ve formed
along the journey. It’s our goal to be the Consultant
of Choice. Each of our employees is dedicated to
making this goal a reality every day through our
client and business partnerships. Today we’re
proud to be an employee-owned firm offering a
comprehensive scope of award-winning services.
Corporate Capabilities
For decades we’ve been working with clients in
both the public and private sectors on a multitude
of projects that range in size and complexity. You’ll
find there are few firms that are able to offer you
the same broad scope of services we provide, at a
paralleled level of accountability and personal
attention.
Our Services:
Analytical Lab
Building Sciences
Concrete Consulting
Construction Materials Testing
Drilling
Environmental Consulting
Geothermal Consulting
Geotechnical Engineering
Materials Laboratory
Nondestructive Examination
An Introduction to Braun Intertec Geothermal
In 2010 Braun Intertec recognized an opportunity in
the geothermal consulting market to blend our
existing soils engineering and evaluation, testing
and quality control with the design and
performance capabilities of a recognized leader in
geothermal consulting, VCMS Geosolutions.
Combining the expertise of engineers,
hydrogeologists, scientists and technicians provides
a comprehensive approach to ground heat
exchange consulting using practical solutions you
can count on.
Braun Intertec Geothermal: We understand how
the earth works™
2
Geothermal Consulting Experience
Systematic Project Approach
Braun Intertec Geothermal
Braun Intertec Geothermal a premiere
firm that specializes in ground heat
exchanger consulting and testing
services.
In today’s economy, operating buildings is
expensive. To help minimize expenses, building
owners are seeking a long-term hedge against the
volatility of energy costs, with an increasing
number giving greater consideration to options
beyond traditional heating, ventilation and air
conditioning (HVAC) systems. Many now select
ground source (geothermal) HVAC as the smart
alternative.
At Braun Intertec Geothermal, we understand
ground heat exchange from an engineering and
geological perspective. We also understand the
combination of these two components when it
comes to construction. This understanding can
provide significant improvement in constructability
and cost control of geothermal HVAC systems.
Using this understanding as our foundation, we
coordinate and manage the complexities of civil
planning, hydrogeology, environmental risk,
regulatory compliance, heat transfer, hydronics,
and constructability each and every day.
Our work has contributed to the success of
hundreds of geothermal HVAC installations, in
widely varied geologic conditions, for hundreds of
clients throughout the US. The map below
represents some of our project locations in the
upper Midwest.
While we’ve assisted numerous owners with the
successful implementation of geothermal HVAC
systems in new buildings, we are especially
experienced in the complexities of incorporating
ground heat exchangers in retrofit projects. Our
comprehensive preplanning, investigation and
design services help to minimize site disruption,
construction complications and cost overruns.
We can help you by providing:
Preplanning and feasibility analyses
Site geologic, thermal and environmental characterization
Hybrid ground heat exchanger design and engineering
Construction testing and observation
Patented Hydrocommissioning™ and hydronic system preparation
Ground heat exchanger repair, and hydronic system remediation
Specialized forensic analysis, and environmental/cultural resource consulting
3
Systematic Project Approach
An Optimized Approach to Challenging Projects
When considering geothermal HVAC, we
believe there are no boilerplate solutions
and no substitute for extensive,
interdisciplinary experience.
From our perspective, effective geothermal HVAC
system design literally starts from the ground up.
Working in collaboration with the project owners,
architects, mechanical engineers and contractors,
our geothermal consultants use a systems approach
to create cost-efficient, dependable hybrid ground
heat exchange (GHX) system designs.
By using this approach, our goal is to bring you
support through long-term operational reliability
and predictable return on your investment. In the
process, you gain more control over project
outcomes, achieve design improvements and
improve overall system performance and energy
efficiency.
Considering Geothermal HVAC?
Is it feasible?
Is it affordable?
What risks will be assumed?
Preplanning and Feasibility Assessment
Develop strategy for the hybrid system configuration based on lowest lifecycle costs
Perform in-depth hydrogeologic study, coordinated schematic design, feasibility verification and site investigation scope development
Geothermal/Environmental Site Investigation
Professional geologic logging of exploratory drilling minimizes contractor change orders caused by misrepresented conditions
A coordinated approach determines presence of soil/groundwater contamination at reduced testing expense
Provides a reliable measurement of geothermal heating/cooling capacity
Ground Heat Exchanger Engineering/Design Documentation
Experienced in design documentation that includes hybrid utilization, construction testing/observation
specification, and hydronic system preparation
Coordination of mechanical site planning with civil, site electrical and landscape design to minimize construction complications
Detailed documentation of the means to control the construction process, in spite of geologic variability
Construction Testing/Observations
Document conformance of installation quality with design intent and regulatory compliance requirements
Recommend solutions to mitigate impacts of unforeseen or changed project conditions
Provide for timely contractor corrective action before work is obscured, minimizing unnecessary costs to repair
HydrocommissioningTM / Hydronic System Preparation for Service
High velocity, automated control of air/debris removal supporting proper HVAC system start up
ASTM F2164 Leak Testing with computer documented results of system integrity
Water treatment, heat transfer solution preparation and analytical results testing
Dependable HVAC Comfort and Return on Investment
Detailed design/system preparation supports dependable HVAC performance and construction cost-efficiency
Mitigates risk of lingering environmental complications
Mitigates risk of lower than anticipated ROI due to unexpected construction costs
4
Geothermal Consulting Experience
Braun Intertec Geothermal Preplanning and Feasibility Assessment Services:
Environmental/cultural resource investigation and risk assessment
Phase I and II Environmental Site Assessments and impact studies
Hybrid ground heat exchange optimization planning based on lowest probable lifecycle costs
Hydrogeologic study and planning of ground heat exchange method/specification of best installation practices
Coordinated schematic ground heat exchanger design
Geothermal/environmental site investigation work planning and specification
Expert ground heat exchanger design/construction cost budgeting
Preplanning Services
Preplanning and Feasibility Assessment Services
Nothing is more important to the cost-
efficient integration of geothermal HVAC
technology than effective preplanning.
The earth’s temperature and geologic structure are
the most significant variables in any geothermal
HVAC project. Identifying and managing this
variability is important to the successful integration
of geothermal HVAC. That’s why we strongly
advocate the preplanning and feasibility
assessment process. Preplanning also provides
preliminary information that can be used to
evaluate lifecycle costs, which is of utmost
importance to your clients and building owners.
During our two-step preplanning process, we
estimate installation costs and identify
development risks such as groundwater levels and
geologic conditions that can impact project
feasibility. By giving you this feasibility data, we can
help take the guesswork out of the equation before
you incur significant testing and engineering
expense.
STEP 1: Determine lowest cost system
configuration. Through an iterative modeling
process, we establish a GHX/hybrid system
configuration likely to yield lowest lifecycle cost.
Often the size of the GHX can be reduced
significantly by incorporating a cooling device
and/or boiler into the hydronic system. By
determining the point at which lowest first costs
and lowest operating costs converge, we can
develop a more cost-efficient strategy to
incorporate ground source HVAC into a given
project.
STEP 2: Validation of ground heat exchanger
viability. Through a more detailed evaluation, we
identify site-specific risks associated with the
installation of a GHX, and recommend steps for
mitigation. We evaluate hydrogeologic conditions
and recommend the appropriate installation that
can help optimize lifecycle costs and minimize site
impact. We then create a schematic design to suit
identified project constraints and calculate a
realistic installation budget. We complete this step
by specifying the exploratory drilling and
environmental/geothermal testing required to
validate the preliminary project assumptions and
hydronic system design.
Rely on our preplanning and
feasibility assessment services
to help minimize unnecessary
testing and wasted design
effort.
5
Braun Intertec Geothermal Site Investigation Services:
Test boring utilizing mud/air rotary, rotosonic coring, air hammer and directional boring
Thermal conductivity testing, ground temperature profiling, and borehole thermal resistance testing
Calculation of site heat rejection and heat absorption capacity by experienced professionals
Environmental soil screening, groundwater testing, remediation work plan consulting
Geologic bedrock mapping facilitating dependable directional bore system planning
Geothermal Site Investigation
Geothermal/Environmental Site Investigation Services
Effective geologic and thermal evaluation
helps to control project costs, improve
system performance and reduce
construction complications.
Cost-efficient GHX installation and dependable
HVAC operation are dependent on a detailed
system design and a thorough subsurface
evaluation. To make the most of your investment,
make sure you work with professionals who
understand the site from both a geologic and GHX
system perspective. Our geologists perform an in-
depth site characterization to profile conditions
such as contaminated soil, groundwater levels and
geologic conditions that have significant potential
to impact your project. From this data we can
provide a viable course of action for your GHX
installation.
Don’t leave unforeseen conditions to chance.
We understand that determining the potential of
unforeseen geologic conditions and discovering the
presence of contamination while characterizing the
site is the best way to manage the situation before
the occurrence of project delays or added expense.
Proper soils characterization is performed using
traditional engineering standards and provides a
description of the soils consistent with other
geotechnical work. Additionally, this evaluation
approach helps to mitigate the risk of costly change
orders later on in the project that result from
misinterpretation of other soil classification
schemes.
Protect your reputation by demanding
professional thermal response testing.
At Braun Intertec Geothermal our advanced
thermal response testing is designed to provide you
with the comprehensive data you need to minimize
GHX design guesswork, improve cost efficiency, and
reduce risk of HVAC system performance failure.
When working with our team, you get the
satisfaction of knowing that our experienced
technicians perform thermal response testing in
accordance with stringent industry standards using
high-quality instrumentation. To complete the
process, we provide you with test results that are
reviewed and prepared by a professional geologist,
and signed by a professional engineer.
You can rely on us to help you optimize project
costs and improve system performance, while
feeling confident that our experienced team has
your project covered.
Geothermal/Environmental
site investigations help
maximize your investment by:
Quantifying site geology and
hydrogeology that may impact
system viability
Providing valuable thermal
transfer data
Identifying unforeseen
conditions
Mitigating risk of costly change
orders.
6
Braun Intertec Geothermal Engineering Services:
GHX design selection including vertical and directional-bored, standing column and extraction/ injection technologies. Design modeling capabilities include GLD, GLHEPro, GCHPCalc, Trace 700, proprietary heat transport and hybrid design optimization modeling
Professionally engineered design development and construction documentation, fully coordinated with site topography and site civil and electrical design
Optimized hybrid design incorporating condenser water augmentation through boiler and/or fluid cooling devices
Ground heat exchanger design review and risk assessment consulting. Professional review of third party thermal conductivity test results
Engineering/Design
Engineering Services
Our multidisciplinary approach to hybrid
ground heat exchanger design yields
outstanding cost efficiency,
constructability and quality control.
Superior project control is what we strive for when
documenting design intent. That’s why at Braun
Intertec Geothermal we have designed, managed
the construction, and/or commissioned hundreds
of large-scale ground heat exchanger projects.
Architects and engineers throughout the country
rely on our experience to help them deliver optimal
project results within the project guidelines.
Our skilled design approach converges data from
several methodologies, including advanced, long-
term ground temperature change calculation using
three-dimensional hydrogeologic heat transport
modeling. This comprehensive approach improves
design reliability, enabling us to provide design
selections that optimize long-term operational
reliability and cost-efficient installation.
Clear design accountability is an important goal.
Our team of consultants collaborates with the
interior mechanical engineers to delineate our
scope of the project, and gain an understanding of
their design and equipment requirements for the
building. Based on this data, we provide a ground
heat exchanger design suitable to meet those
requirements. Depending on project team
preferences, HVAC load calculations can be
performed by either Braun Intertec Geothermal
consultants or the consulting mechanical engineer.
When you work with us, you get reliable
construction quality control. As a leader in third
party construction testing/observation, we can
review construction testing specifications and fully
coordinate with the construction planning to help
you achieve effective oversight without
compromising construction productivity.
Our collaborative project
approach during the engineering
and design process helps to:
Instill confidence and create
greater control over project
outcome
Improve design reliability
Optimize long-term operation
Provide cost-efficient installation
7
Construction Testing/Observation Services
Braun Intertec Geothermal Construction Testing/Observation Services:
Review of construction documentation to determine clarity of design intent
ASTM D5334 grout thermal, and ASTM C5084 grout hydraulic conductivity testing
ASMT F2164 PE piping hydrostatic testing with computer-logged documentation
Ground heat exchanger construction observation by trained geologists
Geothermal lateral piping construction observation by IGSHPA-accredited special observers
Individual ground heat exchanger flow/pressure testing and depth measurement
Construction Testing / Observation Services
Systematic testing and observation
identifies problems early in construction
and enables corrective action before
paving or other landscaping begins.
Construction testing and observation services
(CT&O) helps to define accountability and
minimize costly repairs later in the life of the
geothermal HVAC system. It’s expensive to isolate
and repair buried geothermal piping after a system
has been put into service. By using the Braun
Intertec Geothermal dedicated CT&O field services,
you can proactively help protect the quality and
operational reliability of your GHX system. Our
cost-effective program of inspections and progress
testing is designed to improve construction control,
and documents progress testing during
construction that can be used to separate
responsibilities between the designer and
contractor. If a problem is identified, we can
recommend repairs more easily with less risk of
collateral damage, allowing the project to get back
on track with minimal disruption.
Our construction observation is performed by
qualified geologists and International Ground
Source Heat Pump Association-accredited (IGSHPA)
special observers to enhance quality control.
Progress testing of each ground heat exchanger
before connection to lateral piping allows us to
comprehensively evaluate conformance to design
intent and regulation. It also provides us with the
opportunity to determine that each heat exchanger
flows without restriction, holds pressure, is of
proper depth, and grouted to specification. By
following project-specific protocols for grout
sampling and analytical testing of thermal and
hydraulic conductivity, we are able to evaluate heat
exchanger conformance to IGSHPA standards and
state regulation. We want you to have a system
that performs to design intent. Through our
comprehensive evaluation process we’ll help you
meet this goal.
System integrity testing utilizing patent-pending
technology provides clear evidence of leak-free
system integrity. Unlike metallic piping,
polyethylene systems expand under pressure,
making it difficult to confirm leak-free integrity.
Our proprietary technology and testing process,
in accordance with ASTM F2164, is used to
discover leaks or faults, and provides reliable leak
testing results with a high degree of
dependability. By using our automated leak
testing equipment and electronically controlling
our maximum pressures, we can document that
we have not over pressurized the piping system,
thereby effectively eliminating the risk of rupture
and replacement.
Enhanced peace of mind and
improved system integrity
through trusted third party
confirmation of construction
quality.
That’s Braun Intertec Geothermal.
8
Braun Intertec Geothermal HydrocommissioningTM and Hydronic System
Preparation Services:
Computer-automated, high-velocity air/debris removal utilizing patent-pending process
Site water demineralization, heat transfer solution blending and installation
Preparation of interior and exterior piping systems
Analytical testing of water and blended heat transfer solution quality
Hydronic system remediation and fine filtration of contaminated heat transfer solution
Heat transfer solution chemical supplier
Hydrocommissioning™ & Hydronic System Preparation
Hydrocommissioning™ and Hydronic System Preparation
Hydronic system preparation using our
patent-pending flushing and fluid
treatment technology improves HVAC
system dependability.
Dependable HVAC operation is subject to effective
geothermal hydronic system preparation. Air
trapped in the ground heat exchanger during
installation is exceedingly difficult to evacuate and
may permanently degrade the capacity of the HVAC
system. Soils and other trapped debris will plug
strainers and increase maintenance costs. Poor
heat transfer fluid preparation may shorten the life
of hydronic system components.
High-velocity pumping with careful control is
required to evacuate debris and air from hydronic
piping systems while preventing damage caused by
ineffective control of pressure during flushing. Our
patent-pending HydrocommissioningTM
technology
evacuates air and construction debris under high
velocity, yet protects the hydronic system from
harmful pressure waves through computerized
automation, variable frequency pumping and
redundant pressure relief.
High-capacity, continuously self-cleaning filtration
prevents reintroduction of debris to the piping
system, and air is safely and efficiently vented to
the atmosphere.
Preparing a geothermal hydronic system for
service is a complex process. Interior piping
requires chemical treatment that must not
contaminate buried piping systems. Yet, dissimilar
treatment of interior and buried systems may
degrade the overall hydronic system prematurely.
Proper geothermal hydronic preparation involves
carefully isolated treatment of interior piping, site
water demineralization, homogenized heat transfer
solution preparation, and compliant disposal of
waste. Braun Intertec Geothermal Hydronic System
Preparation services determine that interior and
exterior piping systems are properly prepared,
while our analytical laboratory testing helps
determine regulatory compliance, water quality,
inhibitor levels and freeze protection. Wasted
chemical product is minimized, captured and
transported off-site for proper disposal.
Hydrocommissioning™ services help:
Improve heat transfer
Lower system maintenance
Extend life of hydronic system
components
Reduce chemical treatment costs
9
Contact Us
Considering a Geothermal HVAC system on your next project? Let’s talk.
With our comprehensive offering of geothermal
design and consulting services, our consultants can
guide you through the entire process, minimize risk,
and help you achieve the most from your client’s
geothermal HVAC investment. Contact us to
discover how a ground heat exchanger system is a
viable option for your next project.
Braun Intertec Geothermal, LLC
16744 11th Street NE
Little Falls, MN 56345
320.632.1081
Braun Intertec Corporate Office
11001 Hampshire Ave S
Minneapolis, MN 55438
800.279.2000
www.braunintertec.com
We understand how the earth works™