Round empty core infiltration and anti-filtration recharge wells and laboratory recharge tests

Abstract

Anti-filtration recharge wells are commonly installed in river channels and irrigation canals on the Shandong Peninsula, China, and can be used as an important recharge facility for underground reservoirs. However, during recharge, as the running time increases, the recharge capacity gradually decreases. This study was undertaken to develop a new recharge well and mitigate this deficiency. A round empty core infiltration and anti-filtration recharge well and laboratory recharge test equipment were developed. Subsequently, 1:25 models of the recharge pond, a round empty core recharge wellhead, and an artificial recharge well were prepared. Using equal recharge levels and ambient groundwater levels, laboratory steady-flow recharge tests on the existing anti-filtration recharge well, the new round empty core infiltration and anti-filtration recharge well, and an artificial recharge well were carried out. Experimental data on the measured groundwater table and single-well recharge quantity were also collected and analyzed. The results showed that compared with the existing anti-filtration recharge well, the new round empty core infiltration and anti-filtration recharge well had stronger anti-deposition and anti-scouring properties, and the single-well recharge quantity increased by 403%. With an increase in the number of recharge tests, the single-well recharge quantity gradually decreased and tended to stabilize as a whole.