Laboratory investigation of petroleum migration under actual aquifer conditions

An experimental study of the behavior of petroleum in an aquifer with static and changing water depths were studied. The experimental apparatus consisted of plexiglass tanks filled with sand. Screened wells cut in half lengthwise and attached to the sides of the tanks were used to determine the product thickness. The spill was simulated by a point source injection into the sand and a continuous release of petroleum (kerosene) over the top surface of the soil. Measured volumes of the petroleum were added, and aquifer and well product thicknesses were determined periodically. Photographic techniques were used to record the physical processes in the experiments and groundwater flows were modeled to study actual aquifer conditions.; The results of this investigation revealed an approximate thickness factor (well product thickness divided by aquifer product thickness) in the range of 1-2 for all cases where the groundwater flow was minimal (less than or equal to 0.5 liters/min). These results are in conflict with prior studies. For larger groundwater flow rates (0.6 liters/min to 1.1 liters/min), an inverse relationship with decreasing thickness factors ({dollar}>{dollar}10 to 1) accompanying increasing flows were determined.; The measured thickness of the product layer in a monitoring well alone may not yield reliable estimates of the amount of contaminant in an aquifer and other methods of estimating actual product thickness must be pursued.