Continuous Flow Measurements
to determine flow changes, hydraulic influences and to increase result accuracy.
Vertical Flow Measurements
Locating inflow and outflow zones and quantifying in-well groundwater transport.
Horizontal Flow Measurements
Horizontal groundwater flow in the aquifer profile in detail by multilevel flow measurements.
Resolving Complex Flow Conditions
Characterization of Flow Dynamics and Fine-Particle Redistribution in the vicinity of tunnels, construction dewatering systems, and groundwater remediation sites
Hydraulic Interactions
Transient Groundwater Flow Responses to Pumping, Tides and Traffic. Identify causes, understand impacts.
Areas of application
Whether in open excavation pits, in flood control structures or at sensitive sites
Our many years of operational experience make us well-suited to carrying out measurements in complex aquifers and under difficult site conditions
Research
Together with our research partners, we are investigating what is happening in Brunnen.
This is to understand what we are measuring and to draw the right conclusions.
Development
From design to trade fair use:
We develop and manufacture our systems based on 25 years of practical experience and technical expertise.
Service packages
From the upgrading and suitability testing of groundwater monitoring points to the recording of vertical and horizontal flow movements.
A comprehensive source of information.
International
We operate throughout Europe on behalf of our customers.
But also in California, Mexico, Georgia and the Azores.
Our transport logistics are geared towards this.
PHREALOG - we make groundwater flow visible
Precise.
Continuous.
Robust.
Do you need a detailed understanding of your aquifer system in order to protect, use or remediate it?
Are you planning or managing construction dewatering and need insight into groundwater flow at your construction site?
Are you designing a borehole heat exchanger field and need to avoid thermal interference due to cold plumes?
With our innovative in-situ flow measurement system and hydrogeological expertise, we provide reliable data for safe project planning.
Benefit from our 25 years of expertise in vertical and horizontal in-situ groundwater flow measurements in monitoring wells and boreholes.
We provide an integrated service solution combining vertical and horizontal in-situ groundwater flow measurements with high-resolution borehole camera inspections
This unique combination delivers comprehensive, quality-assured data for on-site hydrogeological analysis - unlocking more data for smarter groundwater exploration
Precise knowledge of groundwater flow is essential for understanding site-specific hydraulic conditions and groundwater flow dynamics. It provides the basis for detailed flow models, the design of groundwater remediation strategies, and the management of groundwater extraction. And it plays a key role in geotechnical applications such as dewatering, hydraulic barriers, ground freezing, cutoff walls, and geothermal exploration.
Our work begins where conventional approaches reach their limits and high-resolution, site-specific hydrogeological insights are required. Our flow measurements provide answers regarding groundwater flow and particle transport in the aquifer profile, supporting planning and validation whenever groundwater is involved.
Our measurement campaigns start with the evaluation of site information and bore profiles. On-site we start with a well inspection, followed by vertical and horizontal flow measurements. This guarantees quality-assured, high-resolution data for analyzing even complex groundwater flow.
We measure groundwater flow velocities down to 0.1 m/day, using natural suspended particles carried by groundwater as flow markers. Continuous, free of artificial tracers, robust and reliable.
Horizontal flow is measured simultaneously at multiple depths in real-time. This secures results, provides more data for evaluation, helps to identify flow changes in real-time and reduces operational costs.
With over 25 years of experience as specialists in in-situ groundwater flow measurements and based on our reliable laser-optical measurement method, we provide a high level of expertise for field operations and data analysis.
We equip our clients with the insights they need to make their projects more cost-effective, provide proof of concept and increase planning reliability.
Our Expanded Service Portfolio
Multilevel Groundwater Flow Measurements
To determine horizontal groundwater flow direction and velocity, we perform multilevel flow measurements with flow stabilization devices.
Multilevel flow measurements reduce field operation time and provide additional flow information for cross-checking measurement results, increasing spatial resolution, and reliably identifying temporal changes in flow conditions.
To realize flow stabilization, we use newly developed flow-guiding devices tailored to all common well diameters. These devices ensure optimal adaptation to the flow conditions in the surrounding aquifer.
Within the measurement section, a uniform flow field is achieved while vertical flow components are simultaneously bypassed. This improves the hydraulic connection to the aquifer, decouples the flow movements within the measurement section, and enables the collection of reliable flow data.
Our newly developed well inspection system PHREACAM® supports the quality assurance of flow measurements by documenting well construction and condition. This helps assess well suitability and select suitable measurement positions. The self-contained PHREACAM® provides high-resolution video recordings of the well interior down to 250 m without the need for continuous operator supervision. Camera inspections can therefore be carried out alongside preparations for geohydraulic investigations or groundwater sampling.
Services
Well Inspection
A well inspection with PHREACAM® supports flow measurements by providing detailed information on well construction, the position of pipe junctions and the well condition.
Vertical flow measurements
Vertical flow measurements reveal hydraulic short-circuits and preferential active flow zones in the aquifer profile. They serve to calculate the vertical groundwater mass transport through the well at flow rates as low as 0.01 mm/s
Horizontal flow measurements
Horizontal multilevel flow measurements deliver real-time data on groundwater flow direction, velocity, and particle load - simultaneously at multiple depths
Our Workflow
Based on many years of experience, we have developed practice-proven measurement standards and routines that help us determine where to measure and how to interpret what we measure. This allows us to obtain quality-assured, meaningful results.
Areas of application
Contaminated Sites
A detailed hydrogeological understanding is essential for effective remediation strategies. In-situ flow measurements support site investigations prior to restoration and provide proof of concept once remediation is in progress
Water Supply
Detailed flow information in groundwater catchment areas and within an aquifer profile helps to identify competing withdrawals, watershed areas, and the risk of saltwater intrusion. This supports the design of protection zones and provides data for groundwater management.
Civil Engineering and Tunneling
For geohydraulic site investigations and ongoing construction dewatering operations, our in-situ flow measurements detect and monitor groundwater flow as well as fine-particle redistribution around tunnels, artificial ground-freezing bodies and excavation pits, in real time.
Geothermal Energy Exploration
In-well flow measurements provide valuable information for the design of Borehole Heat Exchanger (BHE) fields and assessing aquifers for geothermal use.
Monitoring of Flow Dynamics
Long-term measurements help detect, explain and assess changes in groundwater flow dynamics and particle transport in time. They provide valuable information where flow conditions are influenced by changes in groundwater abstraction rates, river water levels, tides, traffic, or construction activities.
Flooded Mines, Shafts and Tunnels
In-situ flow measurements in flooded underground structures provide valuable insights into contaminant transport and geothermal potential. In backfilled open-pit mines, they support flow modelling in the vicinity of former pit margins.
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
Research
Reliable analysis of in-situ flow measurement data requires a thorough understanding of flow behaviour around and within wells, as well as well-specific boundary conditions.
Developement
From design over construction to field application: based on our field experiences we develop task-tailored measurement devices and solutions to ensure reliable and meaningful flow data. Therefore, they are among the most reliable and accurate measurement methods for in-well groundwater flow measurements.