Open AccessGas‐Phase Partitioning Tracer Test Method for Water Content Measurement: Evaluating Efficacy for a Range of Porous‐Medium Textures
Author(s) -
Peng Sheng,
Brusseau Mark L.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
vadose zone journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.036
H-Index - 81
ISSN - 1539-1663
DOI - 10.2136/vzj2004.0159
Subject(s) - tracer , difluoromethane , porous medium , porosity , particle (ecology) , range (aeronautics) , phase (matter) , methane , water content , chemistry , materials science , geotechnical engineering , geology , composite material , refrigerant , thermodynamics , nuclear physics , physics , organic chemistry , oceanography , gas compressor
Gas‐phase partitioning tracer tests were conducted to measure water content for several porous media with different mean particle diameters and particle‐size distributions. Methane was used as the nonreactive tracer and difluoromethane was used as the water‐partitioning tracer. Water contents determined from the tracer‐test results were similar to values measured gravimetrically. These results support the utility of the gas‐phase tracer method for measuring water content in a variety of porous media.