Well Loss Estimation: Variable Pumping Replacing Step Drawdown Test
Publication: Journal of Hydraulic Engineering
Volume 128, Issue 3
Abstract
An optimization method is presented for simultaneous estimation of aquifer parameters and well loss parameters utilizing all the drawdowns observed during a variable rate pumping or multiple step pumping test. The proposed method does not require any graphical analysis. It is shown that a variable rate pumping test is a better substitute for the conventional step drawdown test to estimate well loss parameters. It suggests that the pumping rate may be changed frequently without waiting for a near steady state to be reached (or a selected duration, say 60 min) in each step of a conventional step drawdown test. This can result in a substantial saving of time and money involved in conducting a step drawdown test with a view to estimate well loss parameters. This gives a greater number of distinct discharges, which improves the estimates of the well loss parameters. Application of the method is demonstrated on published data sets, the results of which show that the parameters estimated using the new method are more reliable as compared to those obtained using prior methods.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Hydraulic Engineering
Volume 128 • Issue 3 • March 2002
Pages: 343 - 348
Copyright
Copyright © 2002 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jun 6, 2000
Accepted: Aug 22, 2001
Published online: Mar 1, 2002
Published in print: Mar 2002
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