Coupling heat and salt tracer experiment for the estimation of heat transfer and solute transport parameters

Conference (2013, April 22)

Geothermal energy is a promising source of energy in the context of sustainable development. Therefore, very low enthalpy geothermal systems (open or closed) are increasingly considered for heating or ... [more ▼]

Geothermal energy is a promising source of energy in the context of sustainable development. Therefore, very low enthalpy geothermal systems (open or closed) are increasingly considered for heating or cooling houses and offices using groundwater energy. However, prior to the development of such systems, a feasibility study and an impact study of the system on groundwater ressources are required. Thereliability of such studies is highly dependent on the quality of the estimation of heat transfer parameters. This highlights the necessity of estimating properly such parameters. The objective of this study is to combine the use of heat and salt tracers to estimate simultaneously heat transfer and solute transport parameters in an alluvial aquifer. Additionally, coupling heat and salt tracing experiments is particularly useful for comparing heat transfer and solute transport processes occurring in the subsurface. An experimental field site, located near Liege (Belgium), is equipped with 21 piezometers drilled in the alluvial deposits of the Meuse River. These alluvial deposits are composed of a loess layer (3 m) overlying a sand and gravel layer which constitutes the alluvial aquifer (7 m). The coupled tracing experiment consists in injecting simultaneously heated water and salt in a piezometer and monitoring the evolution of groundwater temperature and salt concentration in a series of control panels set perpendicularly to groundwater flow. This coupled tracing experiment is then simulated using a numerical model. The estimation of heat transfer and solute transport parameters is obtained by calibrating this numerical model using inversion tools. The present study proposes a methodology coupling heat and salt tracing experiment for estimating heat transfer parameters at the field scale. Furthermore, this coupled tracing experiment shows that the comportment of heat and solute in the subsurface presents key differences. [less ▲]

Assessing the impacts of technical and structure choices on groundwater model performance using a complex synthetic case

Doctoral thesis (2012)

According to the European Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC) and the specific Groundwater Directive (2006/188/EC), Member States have to manage groundwater at the groundwater body scale and in an ... [more ▼]

According to the European Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC) and the specific Groundwater Directive (2006/188/EC), Member States have to manage groundwater at the groundwater body scale and in an integrated way. Given the objectives of “good quantitative and qualitative status” of groundwater for 2015 stated by the Directive, end-users want to know the quantitative and qualitative evolution of groundwater for several scenarios. Physically-based and spatially-distributed groundwater flow and transport models constitute useful management tools in this context since they take explicitely into account the heterogeneity and the physical processes occuring in the subsurface for predicting system responses to future stress factors. However, at such a scale, groundwater flow and transport modelling is challenging due to (1) the complexity of geological and hydrogeological contexts, (2) the uneven level of characterisation knowledge, and (3) the representativity of measured parameters. Furthermore, such models require long execution times. As a consequence, a series of choices and simplifications are made for dealing with these issues. Therefore, the outstanding question is to know whether endusers’expectations can be met in spite of such choices and simplifications. This work focuses on choices and simplifications related to spatial discretisation and saturation–pressure relations in the unsaturated one. The influence of stress factor time resolution is also tested. Considering this general context, the objective of the present work is to evaluate the influence of some model technical (spatial discretisation) and structure (saturation–pressure relations) uncertainties on model results, parameter sensitivities, and optimisation performance in order to provide guidelines for model development. This is performed using a synthetic case inspired by typical groundwater bodies of Wallonia (Belgium). This synthetic case is used for obtaining reference observations in terms of flow rates and hydraulic heads. These reference observations are then compared with their simulated equivalent produced by simplified models differing by their spatial discretisation, their saturation–pressure relations in the unsaturated zone, or the time resolution of their stress factors. The simplified models are then ranked using several performance criteria measuring the discrepancies between reference observations and their simulated equivalent. This ranking leads to guidelines for large-scale groundwater flow model development with respect to typical end-users’ expectations. Whatever the time resolution of stress factors, the quantitative and qualitative analyses performed indicate that coarsening horizontal spatial discretisation deteriorates mainly the simulation of flow rates, coarsening vertical spatial discretisation deteriorates mainly the simulation of hydraulic heads, and (over)simplifying saturation–pressure relations in the unsaturated zone significantly impair the simulation of both flow rates and hydraulic heads. Although optimisation can compensate for errors induced by model technical and structure uncertainties, the improvement of model fit is limited, especially for the coarsest models. Furthermore, with respect to end-users’ expectations, the weighted least-square objective function is not always the most relevant criteria for optimising models. Therefore, it is essential to use specific performance criteria for evaluating model performance depending on the objectives of the study. The ideal would be to develop an end-users objective function for including such performance criteria in the optimisation process and stop the optimisation process once performance criteria would have reached the values specified by the end-users with respect to the objectives of the study. [less ▲]

Assessing the impacts of technical uncertainty on coupled surface/subsurface flow model predictions using a complex synthetic case

Poster (2011, September)

According to the EU Water Framework Directive, Member States have to manage surface water and groundwater at the water body scale and in an integrated way. Flow and transport models constitute useful ... [more ▼]

According to the EU Water Framework Directive, Member States have to manage surface water and groundwater at the water body scale and in an integrated way. Flow and transport models constitute useful management tools in this context since they can predict system responses to future stresses. However, numerical modelling at such a scale faces specific issues linked to (1) the representation of the geological and hydrogeological complexity, (2) the uneven level of characterisation knowledge, (3) the representativity of measured parameters and variables in the field, and (4) the CPU time needed for solving the numerical problem. Assumptions and simplifications made for dealing with these issues can lead to a series of models differing by their complexity and by the reliability of their predictions. Consequently, modellers have to find a compromise between complexity and reliability. The main objective of this research is to estimate the impacts of technical uncertainty, which is the uncertainty related to the numerical implementation, on groundwater flow model predictions. To reach that objective, the methodology consists in comparing reference predictions (hydraulic heads and flow rates) of a complex and close to reality synthetic case with the predictions provided by a series of simplified models (coarse spatial discretisation, coarse time discretisation, simplified law in the unsaturated zone). The synthetic case reflects the main characteristics found in groundwater bodies of South Belgium (Condroz region of Wallonia), characterised by a succession of limestone synclines and sandstone anticlines. The numerical model is developed with the fully-integrated surface/subsurface flow and transport code HydroGeoSphere using a mesh refined along the surface water network (153027 nodes and 269872 elements). A 5-year reference transient simulation, with daily stress factors is performed. The simulated hydraulic heads and flow rates constitute the reference observations and predictions for the comparison with the simplified models. The simplified models tested differ by their horizontal (500 m vs. 1000 m element size) and vertical (8 layers vs. 3 layers) spatial discretisations, their time discretisation (daily vs. monthly stress factors), and the type of constitutive law used for simulating the unsaturated flow (linear vs. van Genuchten). The models are run with the same parameter values than those used in the reference model to evaluate the deterioration in model predictions due to technical uncertainty. Additionally, some of the models are calibrated with the inverse modelling code PEST to distinguish how far a model calibration can possibly compensate for technical uncertainty. Then, predictions from each simplified model are compared with the reference predictions of the synthetic case. Then, the simplified models are ranked using several model performance criteria. Results of this research provide guidelines for the numerical implementation of groundwater flow models at the water body scale with respect to specific groundwater management objectives. [less ▲]

Uncertainty of climate change impact on groundwater resources considering various uncertainty sources

in Abesser, C.; Nutzmann, G.; Hill, M. (Eds.) et al Conceptual and Modelling Studies of Integrated Groundwater, Surface Water, and Ecological Systems (2011, July)

Many studies have highlighted that climate change will have a negative impact on groundwater. However, in previous studies, the estimation of uncertainty around projections was very limited. In this study ... [more ▼]

Many studies have highlighted that climate change will have a negative impact on groundwater. However, in previous studies, the estimation of uncertainty around projections was very limited. In this study, the impact of climate change on groundwater resources is estimated for the Geer basin using a surface–subsurface integrated model. The uncertainties around impact projections are evaluated from three different sources. The uncertainty linked to the climate model is assessed with six contrasted RCMs and two GCMs. The uncertainty linked to the natural variability of the weather is evaluated thanks to a weather generator which enables production of a large number of equiprobable climatic scenarios. The uncertainty linked to the calibration of the hydrological model is assessed by a coupling with UCODE_2005 and by performing a complete linear uncertainty analysis on predictions. A linear analysis is approximate for this nonlinear system, but provides some measure of uncertainty for this computationally demanding model. Results for this study show that the uncertainty linked to the hydrological model is the most important. [less ▲]

Towards a better understanding of the Oulmes hydrogeological system (Mid-Atlas, Morocco)

in Environmental Earth Sciences (2010), 60(8), 1753-1769

Located in the Mid-Atlas (Morocco), the Oulmes plateau is famous for its mineral water springs “Sidi Ali” and “Lalla Haya” commercialised by the company “Les Eaux minérales d’Oulmès S.A”. Additionally ... [more ▼]

Located in the Mid-Atlas (Morocco), the Oulmes plateau is famous for its mineral water springs “Sidi Ali” and “Lalla Haya” commercialised by the company “Les Eaux minérales d’Oulmès S.A”. Additionally, groundwater of the Oulmes plateau is intensively exploited for irrigation. The objective of this study, essentially performed from data collected during isotopic (summer 2004) and piezometric and hydrogeochemical field campaigns (spring 2007), is to improve the understanding of the Oulmes hydrogeological system. Analyses and interpretation of these data lead to the statement that this system is constituted by a main deep aquifer of large extension and by minor aquifers in a perched position. However, these aquifers interact enough to be in total equilibrium during the cold and wet period. As highlighted by isotopes, the origin of groundwater is mainly infiltration water except a small part of old groundwater with dissolved gas rising up from the granite through the schists. [less ▲]

Application of the HFEMC method to an abandoned coalfield in Belgium: From conceptualisation to scenario simulations

Conference (2009, October 20)

The Hybrid Finite Element Mixing Cell (HFEMC) method is a flexible modelling technique particularly suited to mining context (Brouyère et al., 2009). The principle of this method is to subdivide the ... [more ▼]

The Hybrid Finite Element Mixing Cell (HFEMC) method is a flexible modelling technique particularly suited to mining context (Brouyère et al., 2009). The principle of this method is to subdivide the modelled zone into several subdomains and to select a specific equation, ranging from the simple linear reservoir equation to the groundwater flow in porous media equation, to model groundwater flow in each subdomain. The model can be run in transient conditions, which makes it a useful tool for managing mine closure post-issues such as groundwater rebound and water inrushes. An application of the HFEMC method to an abandoned underground coal mine near the city of Liège (Belgium) is presented. The case study zone has been discretized taking advantage of the flexibility of the method. Then, the model has been calibrated in both steady-state and transient flow regimes based on hydraulic head and water discharge rate observations. Finally, the calibrated model has been used to run several scenarios in order to assess the impacts of possible future phenomena on the hydraulic heads and the water discharge rates. Among others, the simulation of a strong rainfall event shows a quick and strong increase in hydraulic heads in some exploited zones coupled with a strong increase in associated water discharge rates. This could lead to stability problems in the hill slopes near the exploited zones. This kind of predictions can greatly help managing and predicting mine water problems in this particularly complex mining system. [less ▲]

Ground water flow simulation in mining works: Application of the Hybrid Finite Element Mixing Cell method

Conference (2009, April 22)

Hydrogeological models can greatly help simulating groundwater flow in the particular context of mining works. However, classical modeling techniques are not so suited in this context because the medium ... [more ▼]

Hydrogeological models can greatly help simulating groundwater flow in the particular context of mining works. However, classical modeling techniques are not so suited in this context because the medium is strongly disturbed by shafts and networks of galleries. Consequently, specific modeling techniques have been developed. Box model techniques require only few parameters but they calculate only mean water levels in exploited zones and do not consider interactions between exploited and unexploited zones. Conversely, physically-based and spatially-distributed techniques represent explicitly both exploited and unexploited zones and take into account interactions between them but they require a lot of parameters sometimes difficult to estimate. The Hybrid Finite Element Mixing Cell (HFEMC) method is a new modeling technique constituting a compromise between simple and complex techniques used in mining context. The principle of this method is to fully couple a representation of exploited zones by a group of mixing cells possibly interconnected by pipes and a representation of unexploited zones by classical finite elements. Interactions between mixing cells and finite elements of the mesh are taken into account through 3rd type (Fourier) internal boundary conditions. With this method, exploited zones are characterized by mean water levels while spatially-distributed hydraulic heads are calculated for the entire adjacent and overlaying unexploited zones. Additionally, thanks to the coupling between mixing cells and finite elements, water exchanges between exploited and unexploited zones are explicitly taken into account. The HFEMC method allows also simulating groundwater rebound following mine closure and associated phenomena such as water inrushes. Concepts and equations of the HFEMC method are presented and illustrated using test cases. First results of an application on an abandoned coalfield in the region of Liege (Belgium) are also proposed. [less ▲]

The Hybrid Finite Element Mixing Cell Method: A New Flexible Method for Modelling Mine Ground Water Problems

in Mine Water & the Environment (2009), 28(2), 102-114

Dewatering operations often stop at mine closure. The ground water rebound can have undesirable consequences, which numerical models can help one understand and manage. However, classical modelling ... [more ▼]

Dewatering operations often stop at mine closure. The ground water rebound can have undesirable consequences, which numerical models can help one understand and manage. However, classical modelling techniques are relatively unsuitable to these contexts. While spatially-distributed and physically-based models suffer difficulties due to the lack of data and the complexity of geological and hydrogeological conditions, black-box models are too simple to deal with the problems effectively. A new modelling method is proposed to simulate ground water environments in which water flows through mined (exploited) and unmined (unexploited) areas. Exploited zones are simulated using a group of mixing cells possibly interconnected by pipes. Unexploited zones are simultaneously simulated using classical finite elements. This combined approach allows explicit calculation of ground water flows around the mine and mean water levels in the exploited zones. Water exchanges between exploited zones and unexploited zones are simulated in the model using specifically-defined internal boundary conditions. The method is tested on synthetic cases of increasing complexity, and first results from a real case study are presented. [less ▲]

The Hybrid Finite-Element Mixing-Cell method: a new flexible method for large scale groundwater modelling

Conference (2008)

Interest of end-users and policy makers for understanding and managing water systems at the regional scale has increased for years. At this scale, groundwater models of different complexity ranging from ... [more ▼]

Interest of end-users and policy makers for understanding and managing water systems at the regional scale has increased for years. At this scale, groundwater models of different complexity ranging from black-box models to physically based distributed models have been used in various hydrogeological conditions. Black-box models, such as transfer functions, have been applied for example to model groundwater in large scale hydrological models, to model karstic systems, in particular for the interpretation of isotopic data. Their concepts are simple and attractive because they require relatively few data. The main drawbacks are however that modelling results are not spatially distributed and their predictive capability is questionable due to the semi-empirical nature of process descriptions. On the contrary, due to a more advanced description of ongoing processes, physically-based distributed models are expected to have better predictive capabilities than black-box models. However, because such models require more data, they are generally applied for case studies that are better characterized from a hydrogeological point of view, for which the distribution of water levels or solute concentrations in the groundwater systems are needed. For large-scale modelling purposes, black-box models and physically-based distributed models have both proved their utilities and have their own justifications, advantages and disadvantages. However, few attempts have been made to combine the advantages of these two categories of approaches in a unified modelling application. A new flexible modelling approach, the Hybrid Finite-Element Mixing-Cell method (HFEMC), has been developed that allows combining in a single model, and in a fully integrated way, different mathematical approaches of various complexities for groundwater modelling in complex and large scale environments. This method has been implemented in the groundwater flow and solute transport numerical code SUFT3D. The approach has been first tested and illustrated using basic and advanced “synthetic” examples that allow validating and discussing its advantages over existing modelling concepts. The HFEMC approach is now applied for the development of a large scale groundwater flow and solute transport model in different groundwater basins in Belgium. [less ▲]