Case Studies - AL003 - Pneumatic Fracturing

Field Application - Northern Alabama

Project Summary

A Pneumatic Fracturing (PF) field application was conducted at an asphalt parking area at a facility in Alabama to evaluate the effectiveness of the technology to increase the permeability of the tight clay soils at the site.

Outcome

ARS was tasked to evaluate the performance of the technology in a "clean" or uncontaminated area of the site. Two PF injection wells were fractured from 15 - 20ft bgs. Prior to and after fracturing, soil permeability was measured using extracted air (vacuum influence) and injected air/w tracer (pressure influence). Prior to the fracturing an effective radii of influence less than 5 feet was measured and pre-fracture permeability was calculated to be 7.96 x 10-10 cm2. After fracturing the effective radii of influence was observed to be 29 feet and post-fracture permeability was calculated to be 1.04 x 10-8cm2.

Vacuum Influence Testing Pre and Post-Fracture
Alabama (Clay) Interval: 15 to 20 ft bgs (90” H20 vacuum)


 

back