Calibration and Reliability in Groundwater Modelling: Credibility of Modelling

(Proceedings of ModelCARE 2007 Conference, held in Denmark, September 2007). IAHS Publ. 320, 2008, 257-261.

Heat transport in a push–pull test: parameter identification and sensitivity analyses

A. VANDENBOHEDE, A. LOUWYCK & L. LEBBE

Research Unit Groundwater Modelling, Dept Geology and Soil Science, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281 (S8),
B-9000 Gent, Belgium

alexander.vandenbohede@ugent.be

Abstract The use of heat as a tracer has received renewed interest. This results in the need for reliable parameter values to describe this type of transport. Relevant parameters are thermal diffusivity, thermal retardation and effective porosity. Here, the possibilities are explored to derive these parameters from the interpretation of data collected during push–pull tests. A push–pull test performed in a deep aquifer in Belgium is used as an example. Sensitivity analyses and collinear diagnostics are applied to determine which parameters are identifiable and what their reliability is. The conclusion from the test is that thermal diffusivity and retardation can be derived from a push–pull test; the former parameter with the largest reliability.

Key words heat transport; push–pull test; modelling; parameter identification; collinear diagnostic