Anisotropic Effects on Flow from a Recirculation Well

by Thomas R. MacDonald, Stanford Univ, Stanford, United States,
Peter K. Kitanidis, Stanford Univ, Stanford, United States,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Engineering Hydrology

Abstract:

We examined flow in an unconfined aquifer near a recirculation well, which consists of a source and a sink of equal strength, with emphasis on understanding the effects of anisotropy. The well is vertical with a pump located between an outlet above and an inlet below to induce recirculation of ground water and thus enhance mixing. The boundary element method is used to model the flow with the free-surface boundary condition. Determining the breakthrough curves and the portion of the aquifer that is affected by flow from the well is important in designing a bioremediation scheme. We examined the effects of anisotropy on these quantities. We found that while the effect on the radius of influence was predictably moderate, more important changes were seen on the breakthrough behavior.

Subject Headings: Boundary element method | Wells (water) | Anisotropy | Water treatment | Hydration | Water circulation | Free surfaces

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