Abstract
Numerical simulation indicated that secondary water recovery by air injection could be technically feasible in aquifers with thick unsaturated zones, confining top layers, high ratio of horizontal‐to‐vertical permeability, and low intrinsic permeability, and high irreducible air saturations, i.e., clayey textures. Injection at the top of the unsaturated zone, venting the well to the atmosphere immediately after the end of air injection, low‐to‐moderate injection rates and large volumes of injected air seemed to enhance water recovery. Simulated water recovery volumes were significantly lower than the recovery estimates based on water level elevations in observation wells during field tests. The model helped interpret some of the observations made during the field tests of secondary water recovery and helped identify areas of inadequacy in available information needed for representative numerical simulations.
Published Version
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