Abstract

There have been continuing efforts to decrease silt deposits due to interstitial blockage in sand-filled reservoirs. However, estimating weir height to allow for deposition of required grain sizes is difficult. This paper presents a numerical process-imitating model aimed at improving water storage potential in sand filled reservoirs. The technique uses a finite difference (FD) numerical model to numerically solve mass balance continuity equation built upon the conservative laws of solid-fluid mixture hydrodynamics. Present investigation shows that barrier height used in sand-filled reservoirs determines the grade quality of deposited sands. The predictions of the model compared with laboratory measurements show agreement between computational and experimental results. The study could provide economic and suitability data for increasing water supplies to a small community through determination of appropriate weir height that will increase subsurface water storage potential.

Key words: Groundwater, water supply, solid-fluid mixture, aquifer storage, numerical method.