VIRTUAL HERMIT® TUTORIAL
MAY 2010
F
OR BEST RESULTS , PLEASE READ THIS TUTORIAL PRIOR TO USE.
2
Copyright © 2010 by In-Situ Inc. All rights reserved.
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The information in this document is subject to change without notice. In-Situ Inc. has made a reasonable effort to
be sure that the information contained herein is current and accurate as of the date of publication.
In-Situ Inc. makes no warranty of any kind with regard to this material, including, but not limited to, its fitness for
a particular application. In-Situ will not be liable for errors contained herein or for incidental or consequential
damages in connection with the furnishing, performance, or use of this material.
In no event shall In-Situ Inc. be liable for any claim for direct, incidental, or consequential damages arising out of,
or in connection with, the sale, manufacture, delivery, or use of any product.
In-Situ and the In-Situ logo, HERMIT, Win-Situ, TROLL, Baro Merge, BaroTROLL, RDO, RuggedReader, and
RuggedCable are trademarks or registered trademarks of In-Situ Inc. Microsoft and Windows are registered
trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Other brand names and trademarks are property of their respective
owners.
Cat. No. 0070500 Rev. 001
Table of Contents 3
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter 1 Software Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
1.1 HERMIT® 3000 vs. the Virtual HERMIT® Aquifer Testing Kit . . . . . . . . . 5
1.2 Advantages of the Virtual HERMIT Aquifer Testing Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
1.2.1 Disconnecting the Laptop PC, TROLL Net Hub, and Cables During
Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
1.2.2 Alternatives to Long or Awkward Cable Runs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
1.3 Software Concepts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Chapter 2 Getting Started. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
2.1 Making the Physical Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
2.2 Creating a New Pump Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
2.3 Adding a Virtual HERMIT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
2.4 Adding a TROLL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
2.4.1 Search for One or More Level TROLLs on an Existing Network . 12
Chapter 3 Software Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
3.1 Virtual HERMIT Control Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
3.2 Virtual HERMIT Tabs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
3.2.1 Summary Tab (Add/Name/Delete a Level TROLL, Create a Log,
Export Data) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
3.2.2 Real-Time Tab (View Level TROLL Readings) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
3.2.3 Log Graph Tab (Graphical View of Downloaded Data) . . . . . . . . .18
3.2.4 Virtual HERMIT Log Table (Tabular View of Logged Data) . . . . . .19
3.2.5 Notes Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
3.3 Level TROLL View Features. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
3.3.1 Log Status Icons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
3.3.2 Real-Time Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
3.3.3 Log Graph Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
3.3.4 Log Table Tab. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
3.3.5 Log Notes Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
3.3.6 Device Info Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
Chapter 4 Communications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
4.1 Create a New Pump Test Log . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
4.2 Setting Level Reference Reminder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31
4.3 Data Export . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32
4.4 Data Export Wizard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33
4.4.1 Step 1—Choosing the File Name, Path, and Other Options . . . . .33
4.4.2 Step 2—Set the Export Time Intervals, Resolve Time Stamps . . . 34
4.4.3 Step 3—Choose the Parameters to Export. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35
4.4.4 Step 4—Define Column Headers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36
4.4.5 Step 5—Progress Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36
Chapter 5 Drawdown Calculations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
5.1 Using the “Step” Function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39
5.2 Computing Drawdown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41
Software Overview 5
Chapter 1 Software Overview
1.1 HERMIT® 3000 VS. THE VIRTUAL HERMIT® AQUIFER TESTING KIT
Virtual HERMIT software, when combined with Level TROLL
®
700
instruments, mimics the pump test functionality found in the original In-Situ
HERMIT
®
series of loggers. On the original HERMIT platform, up to 16
analog pressure transducers were connected to the HERMIT logger, which
both logged the data and provided the user interface, as shown in Figure 1.
FIGURE 1. HERMIT 3000 logger and well setup
6 Software Overview
Today, the Virtual HERMIT software works with Level TROLL 700
instruments and the Rugged TROLL
®
Net Hub to provide similar functionality
in a different set of tools (Figure 2):
• The Virtual HERMIT software provides the user interface via the laptop
computer.
• The Rugged TROLL Net Hub connects multiple Level TROLL 700
instruments to the laptop.
• The Level TROLL 700 instruments log the data.
FIGURE 2. Virtual HERMIT with Level TROLL 700 instruments and the Rugged TROLL
Net Hub
In the configuration above, the Level TROLL instruments are connected to
the hub, which is connected to the laptop running Virtual HERMIT software.
The software provides logging configuration and control such as “stepping
the test”. Additionally, as the Level TROLL instruments log data, users can
view tabular and graphical water levels and drawdown in real-time.
1.2 ADVANTAGES OF THE VIRTUAL HERMIT AQUIFER TESTING KIT
1.2.1 Disconnecting the Laptop PC, TROLL Net Hub, and Cables During Recovery
One major advantage of the Virtual HERMIT kit is that previously, during the
recovery phase, the old-style HERMIT loggers had to remain in the field
connected to the pressure transducers. Now, during the aquifer recovery
phase, the cables, Rugged TROLL Net Hub, and laptop can be taken out of
the field. The Level TROLL instruments can be locked inside the well caps
and can continue to log data. The recovery data can later be downloaded
well-by-well using a RuggedReader
®
handheld PC, and Win-Situ® Mobile
software or by reconnecting the instruments to the TROLL Net Hub and PC
Software Overview 7
and downloading all the data sets simultaneously using the Virtual HERMIT
software.
When using the RuggedReader and Win-Situ Mobile to collect data, the data
logs are synchronized back to the laptop using Win-Situ
®
Sync. Virtual
HERMIT software automatically imports the data.
1.2.2 Alternatives to Long or Awkward Cable Runs
Virtual HERMIT software can also be used in a “disconnected” scenario
where the cable lengths required to connect the observation wells are
prohibitive, or physical barriers such as roads or buildings prevent having all
the Level TROLL instruments networked into the laptop. In this situation, the
Level TROLL 700s are all configured while connected to the Virtual HERMIT
using short cables and a scheduled start time. They are then deployed
individually using a RuggedReader handheld PC loaded with Win-Situ
Mobile software to set level references for each observation well (Figure 3).
FIGURE 3. Virtual HERMIT configuration with disconnected Level TROLL instruments
At the scheduled start time, all the Level TROLL instruments start logging
data and the pump test begins. The Rugged Reader can be used to collect
observation well data at any time during the test. Then the user may upload
the data to the PC and synchronize the files with the data from the Virtual
HERMIT software.
8 Software Overview
1.3 SOFTWARE CONCEPTS
The Virtual HERMIT software organizes a named “Pump Test” into one or
more “Virtual HERMITs”. Each “Virtual HERMIT” may have between
1 and 16 Level TROLL instruments (Figure 4). Each Level TROLL will have a
standard Win-Situ data log associated with it.
FIGURE 4. Configuration of pump tests, “HERMITS”, and “TROLLS”
All Level TROLL instruments on a given HERMIT get the same log
configuration (type, sample interval, units of measure, scheduled start, etc.).
However, the software allows the user to configure individual level
references for each Level TROLL.
For example, on Virtual HERMIT 1 we could configure a Step Linear log type
on the Level TROLL instruments. On Virtual HERMIT 2 we could configure a
Simple Linear log type on the remaining Level TROLL instruments.
After data collection begins, the logged data will always be linked to this
Pump Test. When the pump test is complete, the same Level TROLL
instruments can be used on a new pump test with a different name.
Pump test
Virtual HERMIT 1
Virtual HERMIT 2
Level TROLLs 1
through 16, if
desired
Level TROLLs 1
through 16, if
desired
Getting Started 9
Chapter 2 Getting Started
Each Level TROLL used with the Virtual HERMIT software must be
configured to a unique network address. When ordering from In-Situ Rentals,
the Level TROLL instruments will arrive pre-configured and ready to use with
the software.
After initially installing and opening the software, the list of named pump tests
will be empty. When creating subsequent pump tests, you will see a list of the
pump tests that have already been created.
Each time you create a new Pump Test and collect data, the software will
remember which data logs were created with that particular Pump Test.
At any time after the logged data is created and downloaded to the computer,
the software will allow you to open the Pump Test, and view or export the
data.
The data logs created by Virtual HERMIT software are identical to
Win-Situ
®
5 data logs, except that two special tags are added to the header
of each log: the Pump Test name and Virtual HERMIT ID for that log. All of
the Virtual HERMIT logs can be opened by Win-Situ 5 and the In-Situ
®
Software Developer’s Kit (SDK).
10 Get t ing S ta rt ed
All the Pump Test log files are downloaded to the Win-Situ 5 working
directory’s “Site Data” directory—just like in Win-Situ 5. Also note:
• Delete—Be careful! If you “Delete” a Pump Test, the Pump Test
configuration and the data logs associated with it are also deleted
from your hard drive.
• Discover—If you install the Virtual HERMIT software on a computer other
than the one used to create the Pump Test, you can discover the Pump
Test with this button. The Pump Test information can be located from
existing log files on the hard drive or by connecting to the Level TROLLs
in the field and downloading their Pump Test data logs.
2.1 MAKING THE PHYSICAL CONNECTIONS
Note: If you have trouble
removing the port bulkheads,
stick a screwdriver through
the bulkhead for added
torque.
Connect the Level TROLL 700 instruments to the side ports on the Rugged
TROLL Net Hub using the RuggedCable. Connect the single top port on the
Rugged TROLL Net Hub to the laptop with the USB TROLL Com in the kit.
2.2 CREATING A NEW PUMP TEST
From the main window shown on page 9, click the “Create New” button. This
will create a new Pump Test and open the empty configuration shown below:
Click the “Edit” button next to name the pump test. In the example below, the
pump test is named “Ground Hog Meadows”.
Getting Started 11
2.3 ADDING A VIRTUAL HERMIT
Next Add a Virtual HERMIT by clicking the “Add Hermit” button. You can add
any number of Virtual HERMITs to the Pump Test.
Select the Virtual HERMIT icon on the left window. This will activate the
Virtual HERMIT windows on the right as shown below. By default, the
Summary screen is the first selected tab.
2.4 ADDING A TROLL
Note: Always use the “Add/
Find TROLLs” button before
the “Connect” button. “Add/
Find” will populate a HERMIT
with Level TROLLs.
“Connect” will establish a
software connection with the
TROLLs and allow you to
configure your pump test. It is
always best to physically
connect all the TROLLs to the
hub before establishing a
software connection.
Select the Virtual HERMIT added in the previous step (on the left window
pane). From the Summary screen, click the “Add/Find TROLLs” button.
12 Ge t t i n g S t a r t e d
The Add Wizard will be activated. The Add/Find wizard has three different
modes as follows:
• Search for one or more Level TROLLs on an existing network
• Build a new network using a TROLL Net
• Add a new Level TROLL to an existing network
2.4.1 Search for One or More Level TROLLs on an Existing Network
This is the option you will use for the Level TROLLs provided from
In-Situ Rentals.
Use this option when the TROLLs you are searching for have already been
configured for use with the network – that is, they all have unique device
addresses and have been configured with the correct baud rate settings for
the Virtual HERMIT software. This configuration will be complete when you
receive your order.
Getting Started 13
1. After selecting the Search option, click the Next (arrow) button. The wizard will
prompt you for the serial port and the number of TROLLs to configure.
• If you do not know the serial port that the TROLL Net Hub is plugged into,
then use the first option to search on all ports. This can take some time.
• If you do know the serial port that the TROLL Net Hub is plugged into, then
select it to reduce the search time.
• Tell the software how many Level TROLL 700s to search for so that it knows
when to stop searching.
2. Click Next to activate the search window and automatically start searching for
your connected TROLLs.
14 G e t t in g S t ar t e d
3. After all of the TROLLs have been found, the wizard will activate the OK button
(the check mark). Click OK.
4. You will be prompted to select one of the TROLLs as the “Pump Well TROLL”.
This TROLL will be used as the reference for step times and drawdown
calculations. Click OK.
5. You will be prompted to connect to the TROLLs that were found. If you click Yes,
the TROLLs will be connected and become active. If you click No, you can
connect later, either with the Virtual HERMIT software or Win-Situ Mobile
software on the RuggedReader handheld PC.
Software Features 15
Chapter 3 Software Features
The Virtual HERMIT screen has five tabs across the top that activate different
views of the pump test information. The views are as follows:
• Summary—general information and functions for adding Level TROLL
instruments and exporting data.
• Real-Time—shows the real-time readings of the connected Level TROLL
instruments.
• Log Graph—shows a chart of the downloaded logged data.
• Log Table—shows a tabular view of the logged data.
• Notes—allows users to enter and edit notes for the Pump Test.
16 S of t w ar e Fe a t u re s
3.1 VIRTUAL HERMIT CONTROL PANEL
The bottom panel on the Virtual HERMIT screen displays the buttons for
controlling the logging states of the connected Level TROLL instruments and
for connecting/disconnecting from the network. The bottom panel also shows
the current download activity and the current Draw Down values in the units
of measure chosen for the Level/Depth parameter.
Regardless of which Tab is selected, the bottom control panel remains fixed.
3.2 VIRTUAL HERMIT TABS
3.2.1 Summary Tab (Add/Name/Delete a Level TROLL, Create a Log, Export Data)
The Summary view allows users to edit the HERMIT name, add or delete
Level TROLL instruments, create a new log, and export data.
Drawdown and current step from Level
TROLL in pumping well
Communication status
Software Features 17
3.2.2 Real-Time Tab (View Level TROLL Readings)
When connected, the real-time view will show the current readings from all of
the connected Level TROLL instruments in one screen.
The Depth and the Level values are shown on the real-time screen. This can
help operators ensure that the Level TROLL instruments are still under water
as the water level drops.
18 So f t w ar e F e a t u r e s
3.2.3 Log Graph Tab (Graphical View of Downloaded Data)
This view shows a graph of the logged data for all the downloaded log files.
The data is always displayed, even if no active connection exists, because
this view shows logged data that has been downloaded into the Win-Situ
working directory.
(Note: Not real pump test data.)
Software Features 19
3.2.4 Virtual HERMIT Log Table (Tabular View of Logged Data)
The log table view will show the logged data in tabular format.
The user has the option of selecting the time units for the data rows. The
actual time stamps of the logged data files are not used for this window since
each Level TROLL might have logged data at different times. The first time
value is determined by the first logged data point of all TROLLs. For TROLLs
that do not have a matching logged record, the last known value is displayed.
20 Software Features
3.2.5 Notes Tab
The notes view allows the user to enter, edit, and delete notes regarding the
pump test. For example, you may want to record the pumping rate here,
rather than on paper.
Notes added to this window are saved to the configuration file on the
computer’s hard drive. These are different from log notes written into the
Level TROLL logs while they run.
Software Features 21
3.3 LEVEL TROLL VIEW FEATURES
Like the Virtual HERMIT screen, the TROLL view has tabs that enable
different views of the Level TROLL information. The views are as follows:
• Real-Time—shows the real-time readings of the connected TROLL.
• Log Graph—shows a chart of the downloaded logged data.
• Log Table—shows a tabular view of the logged data.
• Log Notes—shows actions and status of the individual Level TROLL
• Device Info—displays general information and control functions for the
specific TROLL.
3.3.1 Log Status Icons
Current log status
No Log or Error Suspended/Paused
Pending – Manual Start Stopped
Pending – Scheduled Start Deleted
Running
22 Software Features
3.3.2 Real-Time Tab
Shows the real-time readings for the selected Level TROLL instrument.
Software Features 23
3.3.3 Log Graph Tab
Shows a graph of the logged data for the selected TROLL instrument.
24 Soft ware Features
3.3.4 Log Table Tab
Shows a table of the logged data for the selected Level TROLL instrument.
The times shown are the actual time stamps of the logged data for this Level
TROLL.
Software Features 25
3.3.5 Log Notes Tab
Shows device specific notes for the selected Level TROLL instrument.
26 Soft ware Features
3.3.6 Device Info Tab
Shows device specific information and some control functions for the
selected Level TROLL instrument.
Communications 27
Chapter 4 Communications
Select the Virtual HERMIT on the tree in the left pane and select the
“Summary” tab in the right pane. If you do not have an open communication
session (not connected) then click the “Connect” button.
When you click the “Connect” button, the software will attempt to establish
communication with each of the Level TROLL instruments that have been
added to the Virtual HERMIT. The instruments can be on the same or
different serial ports. A status window will show you the connect sequence as
it progresses.
Communication Connect
28 Communications
When you connect, the newest data will be downloaded automatically if a log
is running on the Level TROLL. In some cases, the download may take a
significant amount of time. The automatic downloads can be cancelled to
speed up the connect process. Once connected, new data will be
downloaded in the background.
4.1 CREATE A NEW PUMP TEST LOG
If communications are established and there is no log running, you can
create a new log on the connected Level TROLL instruments. You cannot
create a new log unless one or more Level TROLL instruments are
connected—and they all must be connected at the same time because they
will all get the same log type (i.e. Step Linear, True Logarithmic, etc.)
To create a new log, click the “Create New Log…” button. Any active logs on
the Level TROLL instruments will be stopped automatically. You will be
prompted to delete any logs that are already on the instrument in order to
free up memory for the new pump test.
If you click “Yes”, then any logs on the Level TROLLs will be
permanently deleted, the data cannot be recovered.
If the pump test already has log files associated with it, you will be prompted
to archive those files or delete them. A pump test can have only one set of
log data associated with it. If you want to run a second pump test at the same
site, create a new pump test at the main window.
The logging wizard will walk you through the setup of the new logs. The user
will be required to log all parameters (Temp, Pressure, Depth/Level). All
Level TROLL instruments will get the same logging parameter order, the
same parameter units and the same Depth/Level mode. Of course, each well
can still have its level reference set independently and the “Remind Me
Communications 29
Later” option will allow you to configure the Level TROLL instruments and set
the level references upon deployment.
At the end of the log wizard, the log will be written to each of the connected
Level TROLL instruments.
30 Communications
After the log configuration has been successfully programmed, the log status
on the tree will update and the log summary will be shown in the Virtual
HERMIT summary screen. This example uses the “Remind Me Later” level
reference value.
In this example, the Level Reference was not set in the Log Wizard. The
buttons to start the log are disabled and will remain that way until all of the
Level TROLL instruments have their level reference set or their
communication session is dropped (they are disconnected and deployed). If
the user operates the observation wells in disconnected mode, they can now
deploy the instruments in the observation wells and configure their level
reference using a RuggedReader handheld PC and Win-Situ Mobile.
Updated log status
Log summary
Level reminder
Set pump well to get drawdown
Set pump well to get drawdown
Communications 31
4.2 SETTING LEVEL REFERENCE REMINDER
When using the level reference reminder, the level reference can be set after
the logs have been programmed into the Level TROLL instruments. To set a
level reference on a TROLL that has the reminder flag set, select the TROLL
on the tree and then click the “Set” button for the reference.
32 Communications
4.3 DATA EXPORT
The Virtual HERMIT allows you to export logged data from one or more Level
TROLLs to a single time-synchronized text file. To begin export of logged
data, select the Virtual HERMIT on the left window pane, select the
“Summary” tab and click the “Export Data” button.
This will launch the export wizard that will walk you through the export
options. At the end of the wizard, the data will be exported, and the exported
file will be loaded into the tree on the left window pane for viewing.
Communications 33
4.4 DATA EXPORT WIZARD
4.4.1 Step 1—Choosing the File Name, Path, and Other Options
The first screen as shown below, allows you to enter an export file name,
select the export directory, and check or uncheck several options.
Export File Name—if the file name you type in ends with the “.csv”
extension, the file will be in comma separated value format. Any other file
extension will result in a tab delimited formatted file.
Export Path—by default, the export path will be the normal Win-Situ export
directory. You may click the “Browse” button to change this directory as
desired.
Other Options:
• Export Report Date and Time—the current time on your computer when
file created.
• Export Report User Name—the logon user name performing the export.
• Export Computer Name—the name of the computer performing the
export.
• Export Pump Test Name—the name of the Pump Test to export.
• Export Hermit Name—the name of the Virtual HERMIT.
• Export Pump Test Date and Time—the date and time the pump data was
collected.
• Export Step Time Section Break—when the data is transferred to the text
file, at each step time a section break will be inserted into the data
indicating a step occurred.
• Export Configuration Selections—the export wizard options selected will
be written to the export file.
34 Communications
• Export HERMIT notes—the notes added to the Virtual HERMIT screen,
those notes saved on the hard drive (not the notes in the log files), will be
exported to the text file.
4.4.2 Step 2—Set the Export Time Intervals, Resolve Time Stamps
The second export wizard screen shown below allows you to choose the
export time and data processing methods used to generate the export file.
Export by Time Interval or Export by Step
• When you choose to export by interval, you can select the start and stop
time of the exported data.
• When you choose to export by step, select which step of the pump test
you want to export. The steps are determined by the step times of the
TROLL designated as the Pump Well TROLL.
• Use UTC—tells the software to display the interval and exported times
in UTC.
• Ignore DST—tells the software to ignore Daylight Savings Time offsets
when exporting or displaying time. This eliminates the backward/
forward jumps in time values when data crosses a daylight/standard
time boundary.
• Available Interval—displays the time of the first and last available data
values for export.
Exported Time Stamps/Resolve Non-Matching Time Stamps
The time stamp values exported into the text file can be at a fixed interval or
can be the actual logged time stamps of records from a selected Level
TROLL. By default, the Pump Well TROLL is selected.
• Use Fixed Interval—starting from the first data point, the time stamp
values for the exported data will be at the fixed interval selected. For time
values that do not match exactly the times of the logged data, the data
Communications 35
values presented will be either “Last Logged Value” or an “Interpolated
Value” as per the selection in the section “Resolve non-matching
timestamps”.
• Use Time Stamps from a TROLL Log as Reference—the time stamps
of the logged records from the selected TROLL will be used. This ensures
that the data records for that TROLL are the exact values that were
logged. Data from other TROLLs that do not have identical matching time
stamps will be shown as either “Last Logged Value” or an “Interpolated
Value” as per the selection in the section “Resolve non-matching time
stamps”.
Show Elapsed Time
A column showing the elapsed time from the first data point or the start of the
step will be inserted next to the timestamp column.
4.4.3 Step 3—Choose the Parameters to Export
The third export wizard screen shown below allows you to choose which
logged parameters are exported and their order. Any or all of the parameters
can be selected.
36 Communications
4.4.4 Step 4—Define Column Headers
The fourth export wizard screen allows the user to define the header on top
of each column of data exported. This allows the columns of exported text
data to be traced back to the original TROLL, log file, and site.
4.4.5 Step 5—Progress Screen
The last export wizard screen shows the progress of the export process.
Communications 37
If the export file is locked by another application, for example Excel, then the
software will generate an error message and you can try to re-export the
data.
Once the exported file is written to the hard drive, the wizard will close
automatically and your exported file will be available in the Pump Test tree for
viewing.
Drawdown Calculations 39
Chapter 5 Drawdown Calculations
One of the key measurements in a pump test is the drawdown of the well for
each pumping rate. During the test, the aquifer level changes shape—from
having a flat water level to a cone-shaped level as the pump removes water
from the aquifer. The drawdown is the difference between the water depth
before pumping and the depth after pumping at a known pumping rate.
5.1 USING THE “STEP” FUNCTION
During the pump test, the pump will be run at a steady rate until the
drawdown stabilizes. After stabilization occurs, the hydrologist may need to
determine if the aquifer or well can sustain a higher rate of pumping, so the
pumping rate is increased, or “stepped”. Each period of data collection at
different pumping rates is called a “Step”.
By graphing the data collected from a Level TROLL during the first step, the
graph will typically show the falling water level, then a transition to a steady
state as shown in the example below.
Click the Step button
when you increase the
pumping rate to create
a second “step”. The
soft ware will make
note of the time that
the new step began.
This option is most
useful for a
logarithmic data
collection schedule
where you wish to
begin collecting data
rapidly without
configuring and
starting a new log. If
you have a linear data
collection schedule set
up, the data will still
continue to be
collected in a linear
time frame, but you
will know the time at
which the pumping
rate changed.
40 Drawdown Calculations
After increasing the pumping rate for a period of time, a second plateau will
emerge. This is the second step.
These steps will also be apparent in the observation wells.
Drawdown Calculations 41
5.2 COMPUTING DRAWDOWN
The Virtual HERMIT software will also compute the drawdown while the
pump test is running. The drawdown is computed using the Level TROLL
that is in the pumping well (not the observation wells), which was selected
during the configuration of the HERMIT and Level TROLL instruments.
After the pump well TROLL is designated, the drawdown (how much the
water level has dropped from the start of data collection) is computed and
displayed on the screen for both the pump test (since start of test) and the
current step (since the last pump rate change).
The hydrologist can then see the drawdown values and the graphical
representation of what is happening in the pump well while performing the
test, allowing the hydrologist to determine when the next step should occur.
Level reminder
Set pump well to get drawdown
Set pump well to get drawdown
Drawdown and current step
Communication status
42 Drawdown Calculations
In the chart below, the white line indicates the drawdown for the entire test
and the first step. These values are the same for step 1. The yellow line
indicates the drawdown for the test, and step 2 (total drawdown minus step 1
drawdown).
Test 01 Step 01
Test 01 Step 02
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