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U.S. Department of Energy
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Electrical Resistance Tomography for Subsurface Imaging. Innovative Technology Summary Report

S&T Accomplishment Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/768919· OSTI ID:768919

Electrical Resistance Tomography (ERT) noninvasively maps the 3-D resistivity field in the subsurface. It can be used on a scale from feet to kilometers. The 3-D resistivity field can be used to infer subsurface hydrogeological features and provides good resolution mapping of confining layers of various types. ERT imaging has been used for real-time monitoring and process control of remediation processes such as soil heating, pump and treat, steam injection, electrokinetics, Dynamic Underground Stripping (TechID 7), Hydrous Pyrolysis/Oxidation (TechID 1519) and more. ERT can be deployed via rapid and inexpensive installation of electrodes using a Cone Penetrometer (TechID 243). Additional applications are described under TechID 140 (Tanks) and TechID 2120 (Injected Subsurface Barriers); see also the related technology TechID 2121 (EIT).

Research Organization:
Lawrence Livermore National Lab., CA (US); Savannah River Site, Aiken, SC (US)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Science and Technology (OST) (EM-50) (US)
OSTI ID:
768919
Report Number(s):
DOE/EM-0538; OST/TMS ID 17; OST/TMS ID 17
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English