Measuring and testing – Volume or rate of flow – By measuring tracer concentration
Reexamination Certificate
2011-01-04
2011-01-04
Thompson, Jewel (Department: 2855)
Measuring and testing
Volume or rate of flow
By measuring tracer concentration
Reexamination Certificate
active
07861601
ABSTRACT:
A natural gradient, single well, tracer dilution non-continuous mixing apparatus and method for measuring flow of liquids through porous media are described. The method has been applied to concentrations of Light Nonaqueous Phase Liquid (LNAPL) in monitoring wells to measure the rate of LNAPL flow through the wells and through the adjacent formation. Similar measurements were made for concentrations of water in other formations. A LNAPL-soluble fluorescing tracer was added to LNAPL in the wells, and a water-soluble fluorescing tracer was added to water in the wells. The tracer is initially uniformly-mixed into the LNAPL or water in the well, and the tracer concentration is measured using a fiber optic cable and a spectrometer. The LNAPL or water with dissolved tracer is then allowed to flow from the well without any mixing. At a later time, the LNAPL or water and tracer in the well are mixed to a uniform tracer concentration, and the tracer concentration is remeasured. Using the initial tracer concentration, the subsequently mixed tracer concentration, the elapsed time, and the well diameter, a LNAPL flow rate is calculated.
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Smith, Timothy J., “Direct Measurement of LNAPL Flow Using Single Well Periodic Mixing Reactor Tracer Tests,” Masters Thesis, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, 2008.
Lyverse Mark
Sale Thomas C.
Smith Timothy J.
Chevron Corporation
Cochran Freund & Young LLC
Colorado State University Research Foundation
Freund Samuel M.
Thompson Jewel
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