Abstract: An apparatus and method for discrete soil gas and saturated liquid permeability measurements with direct push emplacement systems (such as a cone penetrometer rod). A modified direct push emplacement system having at least one injection port and at least two measurement ports is first engaged to penetrate the soil to a predetermined depth. Gas or liquid is then injected into the soil at a predetermined location on the penetrometer rod. Next, a pressure response is recorded from each measurement port, which is at a known distance from the injection port (on the same penetrometer rod). This differential pressure response data allows calculation of the soil permeability directly by using a one-dimensional, spherical, steady state, porous flow model to measure the effective permeability of the soil, without substantial disturbance of the surrounding soil. The present invention minimizes false indications of reduced permeability as a result of soil compaction during the penetrometer emplacement.

Abstract: The present invention integrates an inverse modeling technique and a field measurement system. The system uses inexpensive and non-hazardous gaseous tracers injected inside the contained volume of a barrier to quantify the location and size of any leaks in the barrier. The vapor sampling point installation, which allows the collection of soil gas samples from multiple points around the barrier installation, can be accomplished with conventional drilling or direct push techniques. The system uses a field-proven soil gas analyzer, incorporated in a sampling system capable of monitoring many sample points with relatively high time resolution. A rigorous inverse modeling technology is integrated with the data system for real time analysis.