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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Evaluation of sampling equipment for RCRA (Resource Conservation and Recovery Act) monitoring in a deep unconfined aquifer

Conference ·
OSTI ID:5881822
Acceptable sampling devices identified include gas-operated bladder pumps and bailers constructed of nonreactive materials. In arid portions of the western United States, depths to ground water, which are often greater than 100 feet, make the use of bailers extremely time consuming. The efficiency of gas-operated bladder pumps decreases with depth, and special design and construction is often needed to accommodate higher gas pressures. Commercially available sampling pumps were evaluated for their suitability as sampling and purging equipment for installation in monitoring wells in a deep, unconfined aquifer. The test was conducted in a well where the depth to ground water was 340 feet. The objective was to identify equipment capable of discharge rates suitable for sampling (/approximately/0.025 gpm) and, if possible, for purging (>1 gpm). The potential for physical or chemical alteration of the water sample was evaluated from literature sources and not specifically tested. Four positive-displacement pumps were tested, consisting of two bladder pumps, a gas-driven piston pump, and a mechanically-driven pump. All pumps could be installed in a 2-inch diameter well, although this was not important for the planned application. 4 refs., 1 tab.
Research Organization:
Westinghouse Hanford Co., Richland, WA (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
AC06-87RL10930
OSTI ID:
5881822
Report Number(s):
WHC-SA-0174; CONF-8805312-1; ON: DE89014947
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English