Design of tracer tests equipment for the El Berrocal site, Spain

This Topical Report contains the information concerning the design and manufacture of the instrumentation used for the large scale tracer tests performed at El Berrocal; as well as about the support infrastructure needed for the proper performance of the tests. One of the main objectives of the large scale Tracer Test was the design and development of an instrumentation and data acquisition equipment; that would allow the automatic and precise measurement and record of all the physical parameters important for this type of essays. This approach has represented a great change concerning the classical methodology used in this type of tests. Three boreholes from El Berrocal experimental site have been instrumented for this essay. Boreholes S-13 and S-15 for the tracer injections and boreholes S-2 for tracer recovery. In Pictures 1 and 2 can be observed the tripods installed on top of boreholes S-13 and S-15, both inclined (the first 30 degree and the second 20 degree). From the tripods' capstans hangs all the instrumentation placed inside the boreholes. For each boreholes there are sensors to be measured on the surface equipment, associated to magnitudes registered in the tracer injection or recirculation circuits; and a second group of sensors placed in depth and associated to each one of the packered isolated sections in which the borehole has been physically divided. Picture 3 shows the mine shaft. At the end of the gallery is placed borehole S-2, Picture 4. In this Topical Report will be separately detailed the development performed for the mechanical instrumentation inside the boreholes, the design concerning the electronic for measurement and automatic data recording, and the surface instrumentation for tracer injection and control. (Author)