The advantages and considerations of applying dual tracers in SWPP tests

The Single-Well Push-Pull (SWPP) test is a cost-effective tracer test that has been widely used for aquifer characterization. There is an advantage in concurrently utilizing heat and solute tracers for a comprehensive understanding of the hydraulic and thermal characteristics of the aquifer. However, the application of both tracers in SWPP tests has yet to be commonly used due to their particularity in setting experimental conditions such as drift time and the use of chaser. In this research, dual-tracer SWPP tests were conducted in a laboratory scale using sand (d₅₀ = 0.84 mm, U = 2.06) under six different seepage velocities (v_s = 17.5 ― 59.7 m/d), with relative drift time as the variable. As tracers, a sodium chloride solution with a concentration of 1000 ppm and a temperature difference of approximately 6℃ from the background water temperature was employed. Obtained EC and temperature time series data were analyzed by several analytical models. The estimates from analytical models (seepage velocity, porosity, volumetric heat capacity) were compared to those from measurements to evaluate the applicability of a single analytical model on dual-tracer SWPP test. Preliminary experimental results showed that slower velocities and shorter drift times resulted in higher recovery rates but also led to larger error rates in estimates for the solute tracer. Building upon a solute tracer, more accurate analytical models suitable for the current experimental setup were identified, and subsequently extended to the heat tracer for further analysis. Based on the interpretation of both tracers, appropriate test conditions for dual-tracer SWPP tests will be proposed. We anticipate to offer a deeper understanding of the benefits and considerations associated with the combined use of heat and solute tracers for the thorough evaluation of aquifer characteristics during push-pull tests.

Keywords: Single-well push-pull test, Laboratory experiments, Heat tracer, Solute tracer

Acknowledgements : This work was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grant funded by the Korea government (MSIP) (No. 2022R1A2C1006696). This work was also supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grant funded by the Korea government(MSIT) (No. 2022R1A5A1085103). This work was also supported by the Nuclear Research and Development Program of the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF-2021M2E1A1085200).