Apparatus for the rapid automated measurement of unsaturated soil transport properties

Journal Article · Sat Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1994 · Water Resources Research; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/94WR01495· OSTI ID:6794243

Salehzadeh, A; Demond, A H ^[1]

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1. Univ. of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI (United States)

To describe the flow of water in unsaturated soils, the constitutive relationships of capillary pressure and relative permeability are necessary. To measure these relationships using traditional methods may require different experimental apparatuses and can be time-consuming, particularly for multiple drainage and inbibition relationships for systems containing surfactants at various concentrations. Thus a critical need exists for an apparatus that can make rapid measurements. This paper outlines the design of an automated apparatus that can produce both capillary pressure and relative permeability relationships simultaneously and rapidly. The rapidity of the measurements is based on the use of a thin soil sample, a highly conductive capillary barrier, and stripper tensiometers. The capillary pressure is changed externally, with the change within the sample monitored through the use of tensiometers. Saturation is determined by monitoring the cumulative effluent, with the accuracy of the mass balance enhanced through the active removal of air bubbles from beneath the capillary barrier. A comparison of capillary pressure relationships for a fine-grained sandy porous medium produced with this apparatus with those produced with a Tempe cell shows that this apparatus yields comparable measurements in about 2% of the time. Thus the burden of making multiple transport property measurements can be reduced considerably through the use of this apparatus. 22 refs., 13 figs.

• DOE Contract Number: FG02-89ER60820
• OSTI ID: 6794243
• Journal Information: Water Resources Research; (United States), Journal Name: Water Resources Research; (United States) Vol. 30:10; ISSN WRERAQ; ISSN 0043-1397
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

440700 -- Geophysical & Meteorological Instrumentation-- (1990-)
47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540220* -- Environment
Terrestrial-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
CAPILLARY FLOW
FEASIBILITY STUDIES
FLOW RATE
FLUID FLOW
GROUND WATER
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
INTERSTITIAL WATER
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PORE PRESSURE
SOILS
TENSIOMETERS
WATER