Monitoring probe for groundwater flow

Patent · Sat Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1994

OSTI ID:869457

Looney, Brian B ^[1]; Ballard, Sanford ^[2]

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1. Aiken, SC
2. Albuquerque, NM

A monitoring probe for detecting groundwater migration. The monitor features a cylinder made of a permeable membrane carrying an array of electrical conductivity sensors on its outer surface. The cylinder is filled with a fluid that has a conductivity different than the groundwater. The probe is placed in the ground at an area of interest to be monitored. The fluid, typically saltwater, diffuses through the permeable membrane into the groundwater. The flow of groundwater passing around the permeable membrane walls of the cylinder carries the conductive fluid in the same general direction and distorts the conductivity field measured by the sensors. The degree of distortion from top to bottom and around the probe is precisely related to the vertical and horizontal flow rates, respectively. The electrical conductivities measured by the sensors about the outer surface of the probe are analyzed to determine the rate and direction of the groundwater flow.

• Research Organization: Savannah River Site (SRS), Aiken, SC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC09-89SR18035
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 5339694
• OSTI ID: 869457
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

monitoring
probe
groundwater
flow
detecting
migration
monitor
features
cylinder
permeable
membrane
carrying
array
electrical
conductivity
sensors
outer
surface
filled
fluid
placed
ground
monitored
typically
saltwater
diffuses
passing
walls
carries
conductive
direction
distorts
field
measured
degree
distortion
top
bottom
precisely
related
vertical
horizontal
rates
respectively
conductivities
analyzed
determine
rate
conductive fluid
water flow
permeable membrane
flow rates
flow rate
outer surface
electrical conductivity
monitoring probe
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