Conquering tough soil conditions with StreamDP Technology

Written on the 20 October 2023

Mitch recently travelled to a remote location in central Queensland where he used a state-of-the-art technology called the StreamDP. This location is known for being challenging for ground-penetrating radar (GPR), but Mitch was able to achieve impressive results for the client by combining GPR and EMF utility locating techniques.

Soil conditions around power stations often contain sulfur compounds due to the presence of fly ash, a by-product of coal combustion. When fly ash is mixed with the soil, it can increase the sulfur content, which can have a negative impact on electromagnetic signals.

In particular, fly ash can weaken electromagnetic signals, resulting in a shallower depth of penetration for GPR. This means that radar signals might not penetrate the soil as deeply, leading to less clear and accurate reflections.

However, the StreamDP system, which uses Equalised Scrambled Technology (EST), is able to overcome these challenges. This advanced system maximises the antenna's radiating capabilities and provides exceptional control over the GPR signal. It excels in rejecting noise and can capture a wide range of frequencies, both low and high. As a result, it significantly increases the depth of penetration compared to other solutions on the market, typically by 40% to 60%.

With the StreamDP system, Mitch was able to overcome the GPR nightmare location and deliver excellent results for the client. This innovative technology is a game-changer for anyone working with challenging soil conditions and looking for superior GPR performance.