The three dimensional groundwater flow detection method using ultrasonic reflection ec h o

Abstract

Groundwater flow velocity in deep geolog ical formation is estimated in the range of 10^-10-10^-8m/s of which lowest case is several orders of magnitude less than that measured by the conventional techniques. The situation implies the underestimation of the confinement performance of the geosphere particularly for the radioactive waste disposal. The objective of this study is thus to propose the flow rate measurement method in the deep geologic environment by using a new concept; the solid particle tracer coupled with the ultrasonic detection sensors which are installed in a single borehole. The system enables to measure the flow vector in the range of 10^-10-10^-5m/s and the performance of this new system has been validated by both the laboratory tests and insitu measurements.