Use of computer simulations for data interpretation and design of the FLUTe® Activated Carbon Technique (FACT)

In investigation and monitoring of contaminated sites and delineation of contamination plumes and flow paths in groundwater aquifers, the ability to adequately determine the inherent hydrogeological heterogeneities (different geological settings and fractures) is essential prior to choosing and designed remedial actions. The FLUTe Activated Carbon Technique® (FACT®) is a new way to do multi-level sampling (measurements from different depths using the same borehole) which has shown to have great potential (Cherry, Parker & Keller, 2007). The method seems to be cost-effective, versatile, have low detection limits, and have other advantages over the currently preferred methods. At this time, there is a lack of knowledge and approaches to interpret obtained data and this is an obstacle to the widespread adoption of the technology. Moreover, there is ample room for improvement and optimisation of the system design. In this project, the limitations and possibilities of data interpretation were evaluated using a simple 2D model in COMSOL Multiphysics®. Field monitoring data obtained at a field site in Denmark were interpreted using the model and used to benchmark the method.