Steady-State Approximate Freshwater–Saltwater Interface in a Two-Horizontal-Well Scavenging System
Publication: Journal of Hydrologic Engineering
Volume 24, Issue 10
Abstract
In this study, an approximate mathematical formulation is derived to delineate a steady-state freshwater–saltwater interface by a horizontal scavenger well system in a confined aquifer that consists of two horizontal pumping wells. One horizontal well is above the freshwater–saltwater interface to recover freshwater. The other horizontal well is below the interface to extract saltwater. A set of dimensionless variables are introduced to facilitate solution derivations. Critical pumping rates that correspond to critical upconing and downconing interfaces are then derived for two different interface extents. Finally, the horizontal scavenger well system is applied to a real-world case, the 1,500-foot sand in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and is compared to the current vertical scavenger well system, where the Field-Critchley analytical solution is adopted. The real-world case study demonstrates that among many advantages, the horizontal scavenger well system can recover more freshwater and extract less saltwater than the vertical scavenger well system. The study also indicates that the current freshwater and saltwater pumping rates are far below the safe zone and that freshwater is pulled into the saltwater well.
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Acknowledgments
This study was supported in part by USGS through the Louisiana Water Resources Research Institute (G16AP00056) and Louisiana Board of Regents Industrial Ties Research Subprogram (ITRS) [LEQSF (2015-18)-RD-B-03]. The authors acknowledge the Baton Rouge Water Company and Owen and White, Inc. for providing pertinent data of the vertical scavenger well system that were implemented in the 1,500-foot sand of the Baton Rogue, Louisiana, area.
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Published In
Journal of Hydrologic Engineering
Volume 24 • Issue 10 • October 2019
Copyright
©2019 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Dec 16, 2018
Accepted: May 9, 2019
Published online: Aug 8, 2019
Published in print: Oct 1, 2019
Discussion open until: Jan 8, 2020
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