Controls on induced polarization in sandy unconsolidated sediments and application to aquifer characterization

Geophysics ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 68 (5) ◽  
pp. 1547-1558 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. D. Slater ◽  
D. R. Glaser
Keyword(s):  
Grain Size ◽  
Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Internal Surface ◽  
Ionic Mobility ◽  
Induced Polarization ◽  
Hysteretic Behavior ◽  
Degree Of Saturation ◽  
Unconsolidated Sediments ◽  
Fluid Conductivity ◽  
Grain Diameter

Resistivity and induced polarization (IP) measurements (0.1–1000 Hz) were made on clay‐free unconsolidated sediments from a sandy, alluvial aquifer in the Kansas River floodplain. The sensitivity of imaginary conductivity σ″, a fundamental IP measurement, to lithological parameters, fluid conductivity, and degree of saturation was assessed. The previously reported power law dependence of IP on surface area and grain size is clearly observed despite the narrow lithologic range encountered in this unconsolidated sedimentary sequence. The grain‐size σ″ relationship is effectively frequency independent between 0.1 and 100 Hz but depends on the representative grain diameter used. For the sediments examined here, d90, the grain diameter of the coarsest sediments in a sample, is well correlated with σ″. The distribution of the internal surface in the well‐sorted, sandy sediments investigated here is such that most of the sample weight is likely required to account for the majority of the internal surface. We find the predictive capability of the Börner model for hydraulic conductivity (K)estimation from IP measurements is limited when applied to this narrow lithologic range. The relatively weak dependence of σ″ on fluid conductivity (σw) observed for these sediments when saturated with an NaCl solution (0.06–10 S/m) is consistent with competing effects of surface charge density and surface ionic mobility on σ″ as previously inferred for sandstone. Importantly, IP parameters are a function of saturation and exhibit hysteretic behavior over a drainage and imbibition cycle. However, σ″ is less dependent than the real conductivity σ′ on saturation. In the case of evaporative drying, the σ″ saturation exponent is approximately half of the σ′ exponent. Crosshole IP imaging illustrates the potential for lithologic discrimination of unconsolidated sediments. A fining‐upward sequence correlates with an upward increase in normalized chargeability Mn, a field IP parameter proportional to σ″. The hydraulic conductivity distribution obtained from the Börner model discriminates a hydraulically conductive sand–gravel from overlying medium sand.

The effect of filter cake deposition on the hydraulic conductivity of boreholes

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rein Nijhof ◽  
Jan van Lopik ◽  
Martin Bloemendal
Keyword(s):  
Grain Size ◽  
Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Filter Cake ◽  
Drilling Fluid ◽  
Short Circuit ◽  
Small Diameter ◽  
Unconsolidated Sediments ◽  
Direct Result ◽  
Sealing Capacity ◽  
Cake Formation

<p>Efficient construction and operation of borehole heat exchangers (BHEs) are essential in its contribution to the energy transition. In practice, implementation of BHE at larger scale requires low construction costs and high production rates. This requires small diameter drillings to reduce drilling and backfilling material costs, in which achieving a proper backfilling is a challenge. At present, there is an urgent need to improve the available techniques with more effectively and efficiently backfill methods for BHEs. In current Dutch practice, sealing (to prevent short-circuit flow between penetrated aquifers) is achieved by using either clay or grouts as backfilling materials, both have their pro’s and con’s. In optimisation of applying backfilling materials and methods, the filter cake, formed during the drilling procedure, also has a sealing capacity and is overlooked in addressing the sealing of the borehole.</p><p> </p><p>In this study the effect of filter cake formation on sealing capacity in unconsolidated sediments is quantified. Filter cake formation in unconsolidated porous formations (aquifers) is a complex process, which is affected by pressure differences between the borehole and the aquifer, aquifer characteristics (e.g. grain size distribution, porosity and permeability) and drilling mud/fluid properties.</p><p>A laboratory configuration is designed to stimulate different scenarios during the construction of a BHE. Consequently, the effectiveness, in terms of hydraulic conductivity, of the formed filter cake is determined by falling head tests.</p><p>Uniform aquifers with the smallest grain size tested (D50 = 0.22 mm) show a two order of magnitude reduction in hydraulic conductivity, as a direct result of filter cake formation. In contrast, filter cake formation is absent in uniform more coarse sands (D50 ≥ 0.65 mm). This demonstrates that filter cake deposition is highly variable with the grain size of the aquifer penetrated. Moreover, the experiments performed indicate that the deposition of a filter cake is not limited by additive concentrations in the drilling fluid or the duration of drilling fluid exposure to the formation.</p><p>This preliminary study creates the foundation for further research, since the experiments demonstrate the potential of filter cakes to significantly contribute to the sealing capacity within a borehole.</p>

scholarly journals Impact of controlled changes in grain size and pore space characteristics on the hydraulic conductivity and spectral induced polarization response of "proxies" of saturated alluvial sediments

2010 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 6057-6080 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Koch ◽  
A. Kemna ◽  
J. Irving ◽  
K. Holliger
Keyword(s):  
Grain Size ◽  
Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Pore Space ◽  
Groundwater Resources ◽  
Fine Sand ◽  
Induced Polarization ◽  
Alluvial Deposits ◽  
Spectral Induced Polarization ◽  
Industrial Grade ◽  
Granulometric Characteristics

Abstract. Understanding the influence of pore space characteristics on the hydraulic conductivity and spectral induced polarization (SIP) response is critical for establishing relationships between the electrical and hydrological properties of surficial unconsolidated sedimentary deposits, which host the bulk of the world's readily accessible groundwater resources. Here, we present the results of laboratory SIP measurements on industrial-grade, saturated quartz samples with granulometric characteristics ranging from fine sand to fine gravel, which can be regarded as proxies for widespread alluvial deposits. We altered the pore space characteristics by changing (i) the grain size spectra, (ii) the degree of compaction, and (iii) the level of sorting. We then examined how these changes affect the SIP response, the hydraulic conductivity, and the specific surface area of the considered samples. In general, the results indicate a clear connection between the SIP response and the granulometric as well as pore space characteristics. In particular, we observe a systematic correlation between the hydraulic conductivity and the relaxation time of the Cole-Cole model describing the observed SIP effect for the entire range of considered grain sizes. The results do, however, also indicate that the detailed nature of these relations depends strongly on variations in the pore space characteristics, such as, for example, the degree of compaction. The results of this study underline the complexity of the origin of the SIP signal as well as the difficulty to relate it to a single structural factor of a studied sample, and hence raise some fundamental questions with regard to the practical use of SIP measurements as site- and/or sample-independent predictors of the hydraulic conductivity.

scholarly journals The Application of Spectral Induced Polarization to Determination of Hydraulic Conductivity

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Sheen Joseph
Keyword(s):  
Grain Size ◽  
Relaxation Time ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Time Constant ◽  
Coastal Aquifers ◽  
Induced Polarization ◽  
Pore Fluid ◽  
Relaxation Time Constant ◽  
Spectral Induced Polarization

<p>Spectral Induced Polarization (SIP) is a geophysical technique that measures the frequency dependence of the electrical conductivity of a material. This thesis is an attempt to investigate the potential of using SIP as a proxy to predict the hydraulic conductivity of New Zealand shallow coastal aquifers. SIP measurements were made on sand samples that are typical of New Zealand coastal aquifers with a custom built impedance spectrometer and sample holder allowing the measurement of a phase difference as small a milliradian.  Even though the relaxation time shows a small dependence on pore fluid conductivity, especially at lower pore fluid conductivities, this variation is not serious enough to affect the hydraulic conductivity estimation at the field scale, but could be significant in the investigation of mechanisms that cause polarization in porous media.  Measurements on sieved fractions of sand established that there is an excellent correlation between the Cole-Cole relaxation time constant and grain size. The Cole-Cole relaxation time constant is very sensitive to the grain size distribution. Hydraulic conductivity predictions were attempted using various existing models. While the results are encouraging, it looks like there may not be a single universal model to predict hydraulic conductivity using SIP response.  When a correction term in the form of a multiplication constant is used, all the tested models seem to make very good predictions. But the constants calculated by fitting to the measured data could be applicable only to the type of materials studied. The dependence of the existing models on quantities like counterion diffusion coefficient, electrical formation factor and porosity makes hydraulic conductivity prediction challenging as these quantities are difficult to measure accurately in a field setting. Nevertheless it is concluded that SIP can be successfully applied to study hydraulic conductivity of New Zealand shallow coastal aquifers.</p>

scholarly journals Impact of changes in grain size and pore space on the hydraulic conductivity and spectral induced polarization response of sand

2011 ◽  
Vol 15 (6) ◽  
pp. 1785-1794 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Koch ◽  
A. Kemna ◽  
J. Irving ◽  
K. Holliger
Keyword(s):  
Grain Size ◽  
Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Pore Space ◽  
Groundwater Resources ◽  
Fine Sand ◽  
Induced Polarization ◽  
Spectral Induced Polarization ◽  
Industrial Grade ◽  
Granulometric Characteristics ◽  
Cole Model

Abstract. Understanding the influence of pore space characteristics on the hydraulic conductivity and spectral induced polarization (SIP) response is critical for establishing relationships between the electrical and hydrological properties of surficial unconsolidated sedimentary deposits, which host the bulk of the world's readily accessible groundwater resources. Here, we present the results of laboratory SIP measurements on industrial-grade, saturated quartz samples with granulometric characteristics ranging from fine sand to fine gravel. We altered the pore space characteristics by changing (i) the grain size spectra, (ii) the degree of compaction, and (iii) the level of sorting. We then examined how these changes affect the SIP response, the hydraulic conductivity, and the specific surface area of the considered samples. In general, the results indicate a clear connection between the SIP response and the granulometric as well as pore space characteristics. In particular, we observe a systematic correlation between the hydraulic conductivity and the relaxation time of the Cole-Cole model describing the observed SIP effect for the entire range of considered grain sizes. The results do, however, also indicate that the detailed nature of these relations depends strongly on variations in the pore space characteristics, such as, for example, the degree of compaction. This underlines the complexity of the origin of the SIP signal as well as the difficulty to relate it to a single structural factor of a studied sample, and hence raises some fundamental questions with regard to the practical use of SIP measurements as site- and/or sample-independent predictors of the hydraulic conductivity.

scholarly journals The Application of Spectral Induced Polarization to Determination of Hydraulic Conductivity

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Sheen Joseph
Keyword(s):  
Grain Size ◽  
Relaxation Time ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Time Constant ◽  
Coastal Aquifers ◽  
Induced Polarization ◽  
Pore Fluid ◽  
Relaxation Time Constant ◽  
Spectral Induced Polarization

<p>Spectral Induced Polarization (SIP) is a geophysical technique that measures the frequency dependence of the electrical conductivity of a material. This thesis is an attempt to investigate the potential of using SIP as a proxy to predict the hydraulic conductivity of New Zealand shallow coastal aquifers. SIP measurements were made on sand samples that are typical of New Zealand coastal aquifers with a custom built impedance spectrometer and sample holder allowing the measurement of a phase difference as small a milliradian.  Even though the relaxation time shows a small dependence on pore fluid conductivity, especially at lower pore fluid conductivities, this variation is not serious enough to affect the hydraulic conductivity estimation at the field scale, but could be significant in the investigation of mechanisms that cause polarization in porous media.  Measurements on sieved fractions of sand established that there is an excellent correlation between the Cole-Cole relaxation time constant and grain size. The Cole-Cole relaxation time constant is very sensitive to the grain size distribution. Hydraulic conductivity predictions were attempted using various existing models. While the results are encouraging, it looks like there may not be a single universal model to predict hydraulic conductivity using SIP response.  When a correction term in the form of a multiplication constant is used, all the tested models seem to make very good predictions. But the constants calculated by fitting to the measured data could be applicable only to the type of materials studied. The dependence of the existing models on quantities like counterion diffusion coefficient, electrical formation factor and porosity makes hydraulic conductivity prediction challenging as these quantities are difficult to measure accurately in a field setting. Nevertheless it is concluded that SIP can be successfully applied to study hydraulic conductivity of New Zealand shallow coastal aquifers.</p>

Monoclinic morphotropic phase and grain size-induced polarization rotation in Pb(Mg1∕3Nb2∕3)O3–PbTiO3

2006 ◽  
Vol 89 (25) ◽  
pp. 252906 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Carreaud ◽  
J. M. Kiat ◽  
B. Dkhil ◽  
M. Algueró ◽  
J. Ricote ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Grain Size ◽  
Induced Polarization ◽  
Polarization Rotation

Study of a Novel Honeycomb Continuous Flocculator

2014 ◽  
Vol 1033-1034 ◽  
pp. 435-438
Author(s):  
Ming Dong ◽  
Qiong Fang Shao
Keyword(s):  
Surface Roughness ◽  
Grain Size ◽  
Flow Resistance ◽  
Separation Efficiency ◽  
Sewage Treatment ◽  
Internal Surface ◽  
Industrial Fermentation ◽  
Fermentation Liquid ◽  
Solid Liquid ◽  
Solid Liquid Separation

The continuous flocculator described in this article refers to a kind of continuous flocculation device designed to flocculate fermentation liquid. The honeycomb continuous flocculator is composed of a vessel and built-in trapezoid subassemblies, which divide the space within the vessel into multiple honeycomb channels. The length ratio between the longest diagonal of the regular hexagon and the axial length of the channel is within the range 0.01–0.04; and the internal surface roughness (Ra) of the channels should be 0 < Ra ≤ 0.2 μm. In contrast to current flocculator designs, the channels of the honeycomb continuous flocculator could control the floc grain size, grain fineness distribution in the fermentation liquid and flocculating time and decrease the flow resistance of the flocculating fermentation liquid and increase handling capacity. These capabilities improve solid-liquid separation efficiency for fermentation liquids. The flocculator could be used either for purification of industrial fermentation liquids or sewage treatment.

scholarly journals Marine substrate response from the analysis of seismic attributes in CHIRP sub-bottom profiles

2017 ◽  
Vol 65 (3) ◽  
pp. 332-345 ◽  
Author(s):  
Larissa Felicidade Werkhauser Demarco ◽  
Antonio Henrique da Fontoura Klein ◽  
Jorge Antonio Guimarães de Souza
Keyword(s):  
Grain Size ◽  
Seismic Reflection ◽  
Ground Truth ◽  
Fine Sand ◽  
Seismic Attributes ◽  
Coarse Sand ◽  
Unconsolidated Sediments ◽  
Shallow Gas ◽  
Size Classes ◽  
Seismic Reflection Profiles

Abstract This paper presents an evaluation of the response of seismic reflection attributes in different types of marine substrate (rock, shallow gas, sediments) using seafloor samples for ground-truth statistical comparisons. The data analyzed include seismic reflection profiles collected using two CHIRP subbottom profilers (Edgetech Model 3100 SB-216S), with frequency ranging between 2 and 16 kHz, and a number (38) of sediment samples collected from the seafloor. The statistical method used to discriminate between different substratum responses was the non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis analysis, carried out in two steps: 1) comparison of Seismic Attributes between different marine substrates (unconsolidated sediments, rock and shallow gas); 2) comparison of Seismic Attributes between different sediment classes in seafloors characterized by unconsolidated sediments (subdivided according to sorting). These analyses suggest that amplitude-related attributes were effective in discriminating between sediment and gassy/rocky substratum, but did not differentiate between rocks and shallow gas. On the other hand, the Instantaneous Frequency attribute was effective in differentiating sediments, rocks and shallow gas, with sediment showing higher frequency range, rock an intermediate range, and shallow gas the lowest response. Regarding grain-size classes and sorting, statistical analysis discriminated between two distinct groups of samples, the SVFS (silt and very fine sand) and the SFMC (fine, medium and coarse sand) groups. Using a Spearman coefficient, it was found that the Instantaneous Amplitude was more efficient in distinguishing between the two groups. None of the attributes was able to distinguish between the closest grain size classes such as those of silt and very fine sand.

scholarly journals The referential grain size and effective porosity in the Kozeny–Carman model

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Urumović ◽  
K. Urumović Sr.
Keyword(s):  
Grain Size ◽  
Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Specific Surface ◽  
Surface Area ◽  
Specific Surface Area ◽  
Effective Porosity ◽  
Critical Conditions ◽  
Saturated Porous Media ◽  
New Developments ◽  
Mean Grain Size

Abstract. In this paper, the results of permeability and specific surface area analyses as functions of granulometric composition of various sediments (from silty clays to very well-graded gravels) are presented. The effective porosity and the referential grain size are presented as fundamental granulometric parameters expressing an effect of the forces operating on fluid movement through the saturated porous media. This paper suggests procedures for calculating referential grain size and determining effective (flow) porosity, which result in parameters that reliably determine the specific surface area and permeability. These procedures ensure the successful application of the Kozeny–Carman model up to the limits of validity of Darcy’s law. The value of effective porosity in the referential mean grain size function was calibrated within the range of 1.5 μm to 6.0 mm. The reliability of the parameters applied in the KC model was confirmed by a very high correlation between the predicted and tested hydraulic conductivity values (R2=0.99 for sandy and gravelly materials; R2=0.70 for clayey-silty materials). The group representation of hydraulic conductivity (ranging from 10–12 m/s up to 10–2 m/s) presents a coefficient of correlation of R2=0.97 for a total of 175 samples of various deposits. These results present new developments in the research of the effective porosity, the permeability and the specific surface area distributions of porous materials. This is important because these three parameters are critical conditions for successful groundwater flow modeling and contaminant transport. Additionally, from a practical viewpoint, it is very important to identify these parameters swiftly and very accurately.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document