Multi-Sensor Probe for Groundwater Surface Water Interaction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for monitoring surface water and groundwater interactions, such as flux chambers and vertical temperature arrays, are limited in providing comprehensive information on pore velocity, residence time, and total mass flux, failing to offer a complete understanding of ecological functions and contaminant transport in riverine and lacustrine systems.
Innovation Solution
The development of multi-sensor probes and methods that continuously monitor spatial distribution of pore fluid conductivity, temperature, and pressure, combined with bulk electrical conductivity, to estimate porosity and permeability, allowing for the calculation of dynamic pore fluid velocity and mass flux, and utilizing geophysical measurements to convert pore fluid velocity to mass flux.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If flux chambers are used to monitor surface water flux, then total mass flux information is provided, but pore velocity and residence time information is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring system is segmented into multiple independent sensor components, each measuring a specific parameter (pressure, temperature, conductivity). This segmentation allows simultaneous measurement of multiple parameters that together provide complete information about mass flux, pore velocity, and residence time without the information loss inherent in single-method approaches like flux chambers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple measurement methods into a single integrated probe system. By combining pressure sensors, temperature sensors, and conductivity sensors into one multi-functional device, the system simultaneously obtains total mass flux (from pressure), pore velocity (from temperature gradients), and residence time (from conductivity tracking), eliminating the information loss problem of using flux chambers alone.
2Loss of information
If vertical temperature arrays are used to monitor pore velocity and residence time, then this information is provided, but total mass flux information is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges temperature measurement (for pore velocity and residence time) with pressure measurement (for total mass flux) into a single integrated probe. This combination allows simultaneous acquisition of both types of information that were previously obtained by separate methods, with each method preserving its unique information without loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring probe is designed as a universal multi-functional device that can simultaneously perform multiple measurement functions: measuring pressure for mass flux, temperature gradients for pore velocity, and conductivity changes for residence time. This multi-functionality eliminates the need to choose between different specialized methods.
3Device complexity
If traditional monitoring methods are used, then simpler equipment is required, but comprehensive understanding of ecological functions and contaminant transport is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The comprehensive monitoring capability is achieved by segmenting the measurement function into multiple specialized sensors (pressure, temperature, conductivity) that work together. Each sensor provides specific information, and their combination delivers comprehensive understanding of ecological functions and contaminant transport without requiring overly complex single-method systems.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the simultaneous monitoring of dynamic pore fluid velocity, residence time, and total mass flux, providing detailed insights into ecological functions and contaminant transport, while estimating in situ porosity and hydraulic conductivity, thus overcoming the limitations of existing monitoring techniques.
Implementation Method 1
a first sensor of the group of sensors configured to sense a pressure differential across the sensor assembly
Implementation Method 2
a second sensor of the group of sensors configured to sense a temperature gradient in the pore fluid... calculating a pore fluid velocity based on the temperature gradient
Implementation Method 3
a third sensor of the group of sensors configured to sense an electrical conductivity of the pore fluid
Implementation Method 4
introducing a tracer substance into the surface water... detecting the tracer substance in the groundwater
Data Source
AI summary
Systems for determining GW/SW interaction are provided. The systems can include: a sensing assembly comprising sensors for pressure, fluid conductivity, temperature, and transfer resistance; processing circuitry operatively coupled to the sensing assembly and configured to receive data from the sensing assembly and process the data to provide a GW/SW interaction, wherein the data includes pressure, fluid conductivity, temperature, transfer resistance data. Methods for determining GW/SW interaction are provided. The methods can include: receiving real time data including pressure, fluid conductivity, temperature, and transfer resistance; from at least some of the data received simulating the SW/GW interaction; and fitting the real time data with the simulated data to provide actual SW/GW interaction.