Multilayer Analytic Element Modeling of Radial Collector Wells

Abstract

A new multilayer approach is presented for the modeling of ground water flow to radial collector wells. The approach allows for the inclusion of all aspects of the unique boundary condition along the lateral arms of a collector well, including skin effect and internal friction losses due to flow in the arms. The hydraulic conductivity may differ between horizontal layers within the aquifer, and vertical anisotropy can be taken into account. The approach is based on the multilayer analytic element method, such that regional flow and local three-dimensional detail may be simulated simultaneously and accurately within one regional model. Horizontal flow inside a layer is computed analytically, while vertical flow is approximated with a standard finite-difference scheme. Results obtained with the proposed approach compare well to results obtained with three-dimensional analytic element solutions for flow in unconfined aquifers. The presented approach may be applied to predict the yield of a collector well in a regional setting and to compute the origin and residence time, and thus the quality, of water pumped by the collector well. As an example, the addition of three lateral arms to a collector well that already has three laterals is investigated. The new arms are added at an elevation of 2 m above the existing laterals. The yield increase of the collector well is computed as a function of the lengths of the three new arms.

Hydrodynamic simulation and analysis of groundwater regime as impacted by radial collector wells: A case study of Belgrade's water supply source

“…U poslednjih 15-tak godina se za simulaciju BHD u svetu uspešno primenjuju različiti višeslojeviti, trodimenzionalni numerički modeli analitičkih elemenata [10][11][12]. Ova metoda, međutim, nije našla primenu u detaljnoj analizi bunara na beogradskom izvorištu.…”

Numerical modeling of groundwater flow into a radial collector well with horizontal arms

“…1). Radial collector wells have the following advantages over vertical wells: the drawdown is lower, groundwater tends to enter the wells at low velocities, the wells do not need frequent cleaning, and the operating cost of the wells tends to be low (Bakker et al, 2005). Owing to these benefits, in recent years, radial collector wells have attracted considerable attention as groundwater supply wells.…”

“…Although the significance of collector wells is well recognized, few studies have involved investigations of the groundwater flow into a radial collector well in aquifers, because of the complexity of radial-well hydraulics (Hantush and Papadupolus, 1962;Zhan Zlotnik, 2002;Bakker et al, 2005). The influx distribution along each horizontal arm of a collector well is non-uniform and nonlinear.…”

Hydraulic analysis of a radial collector well for riverbank filtration near Nakdong River, South Korea

“…Although the significance of collector wells is well recognized, few studies have involved investigations of the groundwater flow into a radial collector well in aquifers, because of the complexity of radial-well hydraulics (Hantush and Papadupolus 1962;Zhan and Zlotnik 2002;Bakker et al 2005). Recently, several numerical studies on collector wells have been carried out.…”

“…Recently, several numerical studies on collector wells have been carried out. Bakker et al (2005) used a multilayered analytic element method to simulate the groundwater flow into a collector well. Mohamed and Rushton (2006) also presented a numerical method for modeling groundwater flow into a horizontal well in a shallow aquifer.…”