Understanding Water Level Transducers Texas Groundwater Summit San Antonio, TX 2018
Presented by Raymond L Straub Jr., P.G.
Raymond L Straub Jr., P.G. Licensed Professional Geoscientist President of Straub Corporation Public Offices: Current Secretary of the Executive Board and GMA 2 voting member Region F Water Planning Group - 32 county Texas regional water planning Current Secretary on Board of Directors - Permian Basin Underground Water Conservation District Courses: Independent Coursework Midwest Geoscience Group - Aquifer Testing for Improved Hydrogeological Site Characterization Petroleum Professional Development Center - Introduction to Log Analysis and Petrophysics Estimating Rates of Groundwater Recharge - NGWA Groundwater Summit 2015 Deep Karst 2016 Hypogene Karst 2016 Texas Hydro-Geo Workshop 2016 ASU/AGI Electro-Resistivity Imaging Workshop Hydrogeology short course A Day with the Edwards-Trinity Aquifer 2017 Texas Hydro-Geo Workshop Professional Exams: ASBOG - Association of State Board of Geology - National Professional Geology Exam Certifications: Licensed Professional Geoscientist - State of Texas, License 11070 Master Driller - State of Texas, License 4456AI Master Driller - State of New Mexico, License WD1478 Master Pump Installer - State of Texas, License 4456AI Speaking/Lectures Middle Pecos Groundwater Conservation District Oil & Gas Environmental Issues in the Permian Basin and Pecos County Seminar Presenter; Investigative Methods for Determining Soil and Groundwater Contamination. Permian Land Girl Radio Show KWEL Radio, West Texas Groundwater Panel Broadcast 2015 KWEL Radio West Texas Groundwater and Hydrogeology Interview 2015 Angelo State University Department of Geosciences 2015 Guest Lecturer; Drill Site Geology, Outcrop Geology on a Smaller Scale. Permian Basin Oil and Gas Magazine Interview 2016 Texas Hydro-Geo Workshop - Talk on Southern Delaware Groundwater Flow Systems - 2016 Angelo State University Department of Geosciences 2016 Guest Lecturer; Drill Site Geology, Outcrop Geology on a Smaller Scale. Texas Hydro-Geo Workshop - Talk on Southern Delaware Basin Groundwater Flow Systems 2017 TAGD Mobile Leadership Training Fort Stockton, Texas - 2017 Research Glass Mountain Recharge Research Project An ongoing research project to monitor precipitation and runoff from an ephemeral stream channel to develop local recharge estimations utilizing precipitation monitoring and thermal infiltration arrays. In addition, develop and understand the underlying structural and flow mechanism for groundwater within the Glass Mountains area. Angelo State University Big Bend Summer Geology Field Camp; Volunteer at the Big Bend Geology Field Camp at Persimmon and Dog Canyon. Publications: Field Notes: Following the Isotope Identifying groundwater systems through stable isotopes of deuterium and oxygen Water Well Journal - National Ground Water Association July 2017 Field Notes: Electrical Resistivity Imaging Water Well Journal - National Ground Water Association February 2017 Field Notes: Faults, Fractures, and Joints Water Well Geologic Hazards Water Well Journal - National Ground Water Association November 2016 Field Notes: Solving the Three-Point Problem Water Well Journal - National Ground Water Association August 2016 Field Notes: Teaching the Next Generation Water Well Journal - National Ground Water Association February 2016 No Water No Life Foundation Map of the Surface Geology and Hydrology of the Lake Turkana Area of Kenya and Ethiopia, Africa. Smithsonian Institution and Carnegie Institute of Science. November 2015 Field Notes: Introduction to Basic Field Methods for Carbonate and Sulfate Rock Identification Water Well Journal - National Ground Water Association - November 2015 Field Notes: Retaining Geologic Samples Water Well Journal - National Ground Water Association - July 2015 Field Notes: Aquifer/Pumping Tests Water Well Journal - National Ground Water Association - May 2015 Field Notes: Measuring Geologic Features with the Pocket Transit Water Well Journal - National Ground Water Association - March 2015 Field Notes- Introduction to borehole geophysical logging Water Well Journal, National Ground Water Association - November 2014 Field Notes - Overview of Standardized Geologic Well Logs using the USCS Water Well Journal, National Ground Water Association - August 2014 Field Notes - Understanding Driller Geology Water Well Journal, National Ground Water Association - May 2014 Field Notes - Introduction to geologic maps Water Well Journal - National Ground Water Association - February 2014 Field Notes - Basic Groundwater Hydrology Water Well Journal - National Ground Water Association - November 2013 Field Notes - Introduction to basic drill site geology and borehole sample logging for groundwater professional Aquifer Types - Water Well Journal National Ground Water Association - August 2013 Field Notes - Introduction to basic drill site geology and borehole sample logging for groundwater professionals Water Well Journal National Groundwater Association - May 2013
Transducers Vented and Non-Vented Sensors In-Situ 3-2016 In-Situ 3-2016
In-Situ 2017 In-Situ 3-2016
Absolute (non-vented) Pressure Transducers: Absolute pressure transducers have to be compensated for changes in barometric pressure Post-correction of data introduces cumulative errors Easier to deploy Less expense on cabling Gauged (vented) Pressure Transducers: Do not have to be compensated for changes in barometric pressure More expensive cabling with vent tube which is susceptible to crushing Senor is susceptible to moisture damage from vented cable
Smart Transducer Dataloggers versus Level Sensors In-situ 2018 Datalogger Transducers have battery, processor, and memory built into the transducer. The downhole component is typically more expensive. Sutron 2018 Level sensors are either 0-5 VDC, 4-20 ma, SDI-12, or MODBUS slave components. They are sensors that must have an external source to provide power and to collect and store data. Some dataloggers can be utilized to collect downhole temperature and other water quality parameters. Dataloggers and level sensors, with the right components, can be connected to off site networks for additional data monitoring and storage.
Prior to Deployment 1. Inspect transducers for damage, clean, and inspect sensor element. 2. Check battery, memory, and logging cycles 3. Perform open-air test to ensure proper measurement and calibration of transducer. 4. Apply proper correction value for weight of water. 5. Calibrate water quality sensors 6. Ensure desiccant is sufficient for duration of deployment. 7. Collect static water level and measuring point measurements prior to deployment. 8. Ensure transducer is secure and protected after deployment.
Barometric and Precipitation Charts Off-Site Barometer On-Site Instrumentation Off-Site Precipitation Events
Barometric Efficiency
Manual Barometric Efficiency Calculation A quite data segment is important to calculate proper efficiency.
Pumping Curve with Barometric Efficiency Correction
Train Effect or compression effect of heavy objects moving across site compressing the aquifer structure. Time of train passing on track ~1,000 ft away
Transient Signals Monitor the system for transient signals
Transient Signal from off site pumping of well field approximately 1 mile away Pumping Cycle Recovery Cycle Off Site Pumping
Noise and Data Errors Transducer data error was Transducer malfunctioned and a new instrument was installed without cable calibration. Unknown if aquifer had declined or cable length was out of adjustment.
Hydrogeological Considerations Lithology Comingling Confined, Leaky, and Unconfined Aquifers
Combining multiple data sets to help understand aquifer characteristics Fining Upward Aquifer 72-Hour Pumping Test On Semi-log Plot @ 25 GPM Potentially Leaky semi-confined Aquifer
Thank You Questions?