In the dewatering industry few companies can rival the experience and commitment of Keller North America. Recent winners of the TDI Award for Health & Safety Excellence Company of the Year, Keller has earned recognition not just for their impressive track record but for their unwavering dedication to setting industry benchmarks.
Keller’s roots run deep in North America, with over a century of expertise in designing and executing groundwater control techniques, including dewatering, ground freezing, water treatment, and landfill and mechanical work. This seasoned geotechnical specialty contractor has garnered a reputation for innovative, practical, and cost-effective solutions in diverse markets. By uniting global resources and expertise with localized knowledge and focus, Keller consistently delivers the optimal solutions to meet their clients’ needs.
The Dual Role: Dewatering and Groundwater Treatment
A hallmark of Keller’s comprehensive capabilities lies in their unique ability to seamlessly integrate dewatering and groundwater treatment solutions with a holistic approach. Groundwater lowering and the treatment of contaminated sites are two sides of the same coin, and Keller excels in both areas.
The power of this dual role is evident in the efficiency and cost-effectiveness it brings to projects. With Keller addressing these critical aspects under one roof, clients can expect not only superior service but also significant cost savings and expedited timelines.
The Pinnacle of Health and Safety
Keller North America’s unwavering commitment to health and safety is a beacon of excellence in the industry, and this dedication has earned them the Award for Health & Safety Excellence Company of the Year at the 2023 TDI Awards. It’s an honor well-deserved, given Keller’s relentless focus on the well-being of their teams and all stakeholders involved in their projects.
Keller’s commitment to health and safety is multifaceted. At the core is a comprehensive approach to risk management that extends from meticulous planning to on-site execution. Safety isn’t merely a checklist for Keller; it’s a fundamental principle that informs every decision and action, ensuring a secure environment for their teams and partners.
One notable aspect of Keller’s commitment to health and safety is their safety representative’s role. By actively engaging in constant communication with peers on safety matters, Keller’s team contributes to improving safety not only within their organization but also for the broader dewatering industry.
Innovating for a Sustainable Future
Keller’s dedication to sustainability is another pillar that sets them apart in the industry. They’re not content with merely meeting regulatory standards; they actively seek innovative ways to contribute to a sustainable future. This commitment to sustainable practices underscores their responsibility to the environment and the communities they serve.
The Science of Ground Freezing
Among Keller’s many specialized services, ground freezing stands out as a testament to their technical prowess. Ground freezing is a construction technique with a wide range of applications, primarily used in the construction of shafts, mines, and tunnels. It serves as a vital method for providing temporary earth support and groundwater control when conventional methods such as dewatering, shoring, grouting, or soil mixing are not feasible.
The ground freezing process involves drilling and installing a series of closely spaced pipes and circulating a coolant through these pipes. This refrigerated coolant extracts heat from the ground, converting soil pore water into ice, resulting in an incredibly strong and impermeable material. Unlike some ground improvement methods, ground freezing is entirely chemical-free, utilizing environmentally friendly coolants like glycols, calcium chloride brine, or liquid nitrogen.
Ground freezing for deep shaft excavation
One of the most common applications of ground freezing is in the construction of deep shafts. The freeze pipes are drilled and installed around the proposed shaft’s perimeter to the required depth. Coolant circulation creates a frozen zone that can range from one to ten meters deep, providing the necessary earth support. Once the frozen zone is established, the inside of the shaft can be safely excavated and lined.
Ground freezing in the tunneling industry
Ground freezing also plays a pivotal role in the tunneling industry, with applications that involve drilling freeze pipes around tunnel perimeters, providing earth support, and creating regional groundwater barriers. In tunnel construction, this method is particularly valuable when tunneling beneath roads, railways, or constructing safety cross passages between existing tunnels. Ground freezing is also used in conjunction with Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) to create pre-planned safe havens for tunneling interventions or emergency TBM repairs.
Ground freezing to isolate groundwater from mining operations
Additionally, ground freezing offers an innovative approach to isolating groundwater from mining operations. Instead of large-scale dewatering operations with potential environmental consequences, ground freezing provides a regional groundwater barrier solution, effectively protecting the environment.
Keller’s success in ground freezing is a testament to their extensive experience and advanced engineering capabilities. The process is highly interactive and requires precise drilling and custom-made refrigeration and instrumentation equipment. Keller has demonstrated time and again that their expertise in this field is second to none.
A Visionary Approach to Industry Excellence
Keller North America’s journey to becoming the largest geotechnical specialty contractor in the world has been marked by a visionary approach to excellence. Their impressive presence, with over 65 offices throughout the United States and Canada, is a testament to their commitment to serving local needs with global expertise.
An Asset to The Dewatering Institute
The Dewatering Institute is thrilled to welcome Keller as a Founding Member in 2023. They are a valuable addition to the community with their dedication to creating environmentally responsible solutions and their commitment to sustainability, as well as their mastery of ground freezing techniques.
Greg Ziegler, Keller Vice-President says, “Keller is very proud to become a Founding Member of The Dewatering Institute. We look forward to engaging with other industry leaders and dewatering professionals from around the globe.”
Keller North America isn’t just a leader in their field; they’re a beacon of innovation, safety, and sustainability in the world of dewatering and groundwater control. Their rich history and forward-thinking approach make them a company to watch and learn from in the ever-evolving landscape of environmental engineering.
In the coming years, Keller’s continued dedication to excellence, health, safety, and environmental responsibility will undoubtedly shape the industry and inspire future professionals to follow in their footsteps. As we celebrate their achievements and look forward to their continued contributions, it is clear that Keller North America is a shining example of what can be achieved through unwavering commitment to excellence and a vision for a sustainable future.
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The Dewatering Institute is a platform bringing stakeholders in the global dewatering and groundwater control industry together. TDI’s purpose is to develop the Construction Dewatering, Mine Dewatering and Groundwater Control industry across the entire project life cycle.
The fundamentals of TDI are Education, Knowledge Sharing, Best Practices and Networking, which we bring to live through our website’s knowledge centre, by providing events, webinars and training courses, all backed up by a sophisticated marketing campaign to expand the exposure of TDI and its members.
Join our community today @ The Dewatering Institute. For any further questions you can reach out to riette@dewateringinst.com
