ABSTRACT
This chapter will begin with a few simple examples of the mechanics of radial flow to and from wells penetrating a confined aquifer, and will be limited to steady flow. These examples can be applied to in situ solution mining of flooded horizontal ore deposits confined by impermeable strata above and below the ore deposit. Although this is a rather restrictive geometry, it is an adequate approximation for many sedimentary ore deposits that are industrially important. Extensive literature in hydrology, petroleum engineering and porous media flow generally treat many other examples of both steady and unsteady flow. A few of these that are also useful for solution mining wellfield configurations are presented.
