I= DEVELOPMENT OF FRESH WATER SKIMMING WELL TECHNOLOGY FOR SUSTAINABLE IRRIGATION AND DRAINAGE
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Title of Thesis
DEVELOPMENT OF FRESH WATER SKIMMING WELL TECHNOLOGY FOR SUSTAINABLE IRRIGATION AND DRAINAGE
Author(s)
Allah Bakhsh Sufi
Institute/University/Department Details
University Of Engineering And Technology/ Centre Of Excellence In Water Resources Engineering
Session
1999
Subject
Water Resources Management
Number of Pages
242
Keywords (Extracted from title, table of contents and abstract of thesis)
saline water. immiscible fluids, miscible fluids, well, skimming wells, viscosity, porous media, groundwater intrusion, fresh water, recirculation techniques

Abstract
The problem of saline groundwater intrusion/upcoming is very serious in the central parts of ‘doabs’ in the Indus Basin of Pakistan. Disposal of saline effluent in canals and rivers is even more serious as it deteriorates the quality of water for downstream users. It has been estimated that approximately 200billion cubic meters (bm3) of fresh groundwater exists in the form of thin layers, which is underlain by saline water. These thin layers of fresh water overlying the saline water could be exploited to supplement the deficit irrigation supplies in addition to enhancing the drainage facilities. Therefore, it is absolutely necessary to skim this thin layer of fresh groundwater without disturbing the underlying saline water. The major aim of this study was to identify feasible approach(es) for skimming the thin fresh water layer under the conditions prevailing in the Indus Basin.

A density dependent three-dimensional finite element groundwater model, VDGWRN was selected and applied for this purpose and modified by including viscosity parameter to study the behaviour of different skimming well designs i.e. single, multi-strainer, radial collector, recirculation and compound or scavenger wells. From regression analysis of observed viscosity, density and temperature data of saline water, an empirical relationship/equation for calculating viscosity of saline water was developed. The newly developed equation was used to update hydraulic conductivity of the saline layer. The computer model VDGWTRN was also modified by introducing this equation. The modified model is called as VDVGWT. The model solves continuity equation for the fluid pressure using Darcy’s law for the three velocity components (Vx, Vy and Vz). These velocities were used to solve the advection dispersion equation to find out the concentration and this information was used to update the density of the profile in the flow equation. The viscosity computed using the empirical relationship developed during the present study was used to update the hydraulic conductivity to be used in the flow equation of the model’s control algorithm. Physical modeling of skimming wells was undertaken, which resulted in establishing promising basis for evaluation in the subsequent stages. The numerical model was calibrated using results yielded by the physical models. The numerical model was applied for different parameters like discharge, penetration depth, application of aquitard and intermittent pumping. Results of the study reveal that multi-strainer, radial and recirculation techniques for skimming fresh water are better alternatives as compared to compound or scavenger wells. Though scavenger well technique could suppress saline water upcoming in a better way, yet in has severe problem of saline effluent disposal and environmental hazards. Keeping in view the overall performance of various skimming configurations, the 2-strainers well (15 m apart) performed better than all other suggested techniques, evaluated for this purpose. The radial collector wells with 30% penetration provided usable groundwater (1126 ppm). These wells may relatively be easy to install at shallower depths, which can further improve their efficiency. The recirculation technique of fresh water skimming well having recharge of 80% of main well discharge under gravity pressure and recharging near abstraction and showed worthwhile results as the pumped water quality was 858 ppm.

Based on the results of this study, it is recommended that radial collector and recirculation wells being recently introduced should be tested in the field for their performance evaluation under field conditions. It has been observed that introduction of an aquitard plays an important role in controlling upcoming of saline water. The present study shows that presence of an aquitard improved the water quality by about 26%. It is recommended to carry out a survey in the Indus Basin for delineating the areas having aquitards separating fresh water and saline water layers.

The intermittent pumping having fifty percent utilization efficiency showed good results by improving water quality about 20%. The physical and numerical model results of proposed skimming well configurations are attractive, however, an economic analysis is necessary in order to establish their economic viability.
Download Full Thesis
3759.18 KB
S. No. Chapter Title of the Chapters Page Size (KB)
1 Contents
KB
2 1 Introduction 1
134.69 KB
  1.1 Background 1
  1.2 Constraints Imposed By Saline Water Mounding 4
  1.3 Scope And Practical Utility 4
  1.4 Present Study 7
  1.5 Objectives 8
3 2 Review Of Literature 9
761.5 KB
  2.1 General 9
  2.2 Immiscible Fluids Theory 9
  2.3 Miscible Fluids Theory 10
  2.4 Theoretical Analysis 11
  2.5 Physical And Analog Models 15
  2.6 Mathematical Models 22
  2.7 Field Experiments 50
  2.8 Comments 51
4 3 Model Selection And Verification 55
115.73 KB
  3.1 Selection Of Model 55
  3.2 Verification Of The Model 57
5 4 Experimental Setup And Methodology 63
762.81 KB
  4.1 Single Well 63
  4.2 Multi-Strainer Wells 64
  4.3 Radial Collector Wells 66
  4.4 Dual Screen/Recirculation Wells 67
  4.5 Compound/Scavenger Wells 69
  4.6 Physical Modeling Of Skimming Wells 70
  4.7 Effect Of Temperature And Density On Viscosity Of Saline Water 101
  4.8 Aquifer Parameters And Domain Information For Calibration Of Numerical Model 105
  4.9 Application Of Model Using Field Information On Skimming Well Installations 108
  4.10 Irrigation Water Quality Criteria 108
6 5 Results And Discussion 113
589.54 KB
  5.1 Results Of The Physical Models 113
  5.2 Effect Of Viscosity Of Saline Water On Its Movement In Porous Media 129
  5.3 Results Of The Numerical Model 134
  5.4 Application Of The Numerical Model (VDVGWT) In Field Experiments 144
  5.5 Overall Discussion On Performance 148
7 6 Conclusions And Recommendations 149
50.85 KB
  6.1 Conclusions 149
  6.2 Recommendations 151
8 7 References 153
165.98 KB
9 8 Appendices
1182.93 KB
  8.1 Background And Description Of The Model (VDGWTRN/VDVGWT) 162
  8.2 Computer Programme 175
  8.3 Definition Of Programme Variables 210
  8.4 Input Data Deck Instructions 212
  8.5 Finite Element Modeling For Flow And Solute Transport 219
  8.6 Multi Regression Analysis Of Viscosity Of Saline Water In Relation To Density And Temperature. 242