An Inexpensive, Multi‐Use, Dedicated Pump for Ground Water Monitoring Wells

Abstract

AbstractA simple, inexpensive sampling pump has lately come into use in ground water monitoring. The pump is referred to as an inertial pump; its only downhole components are a foot valve connected to a length of tubing or pipe. The operating principle of the pump is based on the inertia of a column of water within the riser tubing. Ground water is drawn through the foot valve and up the riser tubing by rapid up and down movements of the tubing. This pumping method is not new, but has only recently been applied to monitoring wells. Foot valves are available in a variety of materials and sizes and can be used in monitoring wells as small as 19mm (3/4 inch) I.D. Flexible polyethylene or Teflon® tubing, and in some cases stainless steel tubing or rigid PVC pipe, is used as the riser. The inertial pump satisfies most of the criteria normally cited for an “ideal” sampling device. The pump is easy to operate, reliable, durable, portable, and virtually maintenance‐free. It can be operated manually from as deep as 40m or from as deep as 60m using a motor drive. The pump is inexpensive, and therefore suitable for use as a dedicated sampling pump. Recent tests have shown the pump to be suitable for sampling volatile organics. The inertial pump has a high flow capacity and performs well in silty/sandy environments, which makes it useful for developing and purging monitoring wells. It may also be used to perform field hydraulic conductivity tests.