The Analytical Model of Capture Zone of a Multi-well System in Bounded Aquifers

In this paper the capture zone equations of a well field in a bounded confined and unconfined aquifer is developed. The aquifer is rectangular-shaped in plan view and bounded along all four sides. The boundaries are constant head (in-flow) or impervious (barrier) or a combination of both so that six boundary configurations are formed. Using the method of images the flow field in the bounded aquifer is first transformed to its equivalent in extensive aquifers and then the complex velocity potential theory is applied for the generation of stream function delineating the capture envelope. Our solution is flexible in terms of well number, well location, well type, injection/extraction rate, uniform regional flow direction and rate and number of boundaries. The derived equations are presented in form of capture type curves that may be used for the remediation of contaminated groundwater project design, containment of contaminant plumes and the evaluation of surface-subsurface water interaction.