A new solution and data analysis for gas flow to a barometric pumping well

When an open well is installed in an unsaturated zone, gas will flow to/from the well depending on the pressure difference between the well and the surrounding media. This process is called barometric pumping and the well is called a barometric pumping well (BPW). Understanding subsurface gas pressure distribution and gas flow rate to/from a BPW is indispensable to optimize passive soil vapor extraction. This study presents a 2-D semi-analytical solution to calculate the subsurface gas pressure and gas flow rate to/from a BPW with and without a check valve. The problem is conceptualized as a mixed-type boundary value problem. The solution for pumping without a check valve is used to analyze the behavior of the radius of influence (ROI). Results show that ROI is time-dependent. It increases with radial gas permeability and decreases with vertical gas permeability. Field application of the solution without a check valve demonstrates the high accuracy of the developed solution.