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Time domain reflectometry for measuring volumetric water content in processed oil shale waste
Author(s) -
Reeves T. L.,
Elgezawi S. M.
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
water resources research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.863
H-Index - 217
eISSN - 1944-7973
pISSN - 0043-1397
DOI - 10.1029/91wr02895
Subject(s) - reflectometry , smoothing , oil shale , environmental science , petroleum engineering , time domain , waste management , soil science , geology , engineering , computer science , computer vision
Time domain reflectometry (TDR) was evaluated and developed to monitor volumetric water content ( θ υ ) in oil shale solid waste retorted and combusted by the Lurgi‐Ruhrgas process. A TDR probe was designed and tested that could be buried and compacted in waste embankments and provide in situ measurements for θ υ in the high‐saline and high‐alkaline conditions exhibited by this waste. TDR was found to be accurate for measurement of θ υ across a broad range of water contents in the processed oil shale waste. A computer algorithm to automate the analysis of TDR traces to determine θ υ , was developed and tested. A sensitivity test was performed to analyze differences between three smoothing algorithms on the measurement. No significant differences were found between smoothing algorithms or between the number of points applied for smoothing.