The Vadose zone
Monitoring System
VMS
The Vadose zone Monitoring System VMS
Sensoil’s Vadose zone Monitoring System™ enables continuous monitoring and water sample collection directly from the unsaturated zone. The patented Vadose-zone Monitoring System (VMS) provides real-time, continuous tracking of water percolation and contaminant transport across the vadose zone, from land surface to groundwater. Once installed, the VMS forms an accessible monitoring station (or network of stations) of the vadose zone, also termed unsaturated zone.
The VMS is equipped with the most advanced sampling units and data collection instrumentation from the unsaturated zone. Real time critical information on the hydrological and chemical conditions in the vadose zone, enable direct assessment of water percolation velocities and contamination migration fluxes in the subsurface. With data and analyses constantly on vadose zone hydrology available via Sensoil’s cloud-based application, VMS facilitates Decision Support Solutions (DSS) in varied environments.
Real-time Data and Sampling from the Unsaturated Zone
The Vadose zone Monitoring System (VMS) is composed of flexible sleeves (1) implemented in uncased, slanted boreholes. The flexible sleeves host multiple advanced monitoring units, distributed along its length. Each monitoring unit is comprised of: water content sensors, vadose zone pore-water sampling ports and gas sampling ports for frequent sampling of the unsaturated zone and monitoring of vadose zone hydrology. VMS data collection and water sampling is managed through Sensoil’s unique VMS control panel, installed on-site (2). Full access to VMS’ real-time data is available from anywhere, via Sensoil’s cloud-based SaaS (3). Data and analysis access is dedicated and customised to each customer (4).
Stretching to lengths of up to 100 meters, the VMS sleeve with integrally embedded monitoring units along its length, is made of chemically resistant thin flexible liner. All monitoring units are connected to a control panel which is installed on the land surface. It is adapted for installation in 6″ diameter borehole drilled at 35o (to vertical), 55o (to horizon). Flexible Time Domain Reflectometry (FTDR) probes for monitoring of the sediment enable continuous measurement of water content and temperature of the sediment. Each and every FTDR sensor is rigorously tested for quality and performance and pre-calibrated for permittivity measurement in test medium of known dielectric properties.
Sampling of the vadose-zone pore water by the VSP is based on the physical mechanism which allows creating of hydraulic continuity between the sediment pore water and a sampling cell. Similar to standard tensiometers and suction cups, the hydraulic continuity is achieved via fine flexible porous medium. Technically the VSP operates through a set of small diameter access pipes and control valves. The VSP is installed on the VMS sleeve together with the FTDR. The gas sampling probe (GSP) enables collection of the gas phase from the vicinity of the VSP. As such, comparison of the contaminant’s content in the water and gas phase may be achieved across the entire vadose zone.
The control panel is encased in a standard weather protected closet (IP65). A set of pressure manifolds valves and pressure gauges in the control panel allow direct access to each of the monitoring units for frequent sampling and regular maintenance. A data-logger is used to collect data on water content, temperature and pressure measurements. Utilizing cellular or satellite communications, the data is then sent to Sensoil’s VMS SaaS cyber-secure cloud network.
Sensoil offers innovative, customisable SaaS solutions. This provides the ability to access end-to-end solutions from anywhere, without the client to needing to undertake any installation, maintenance, software upgrades, backups, security updates, scalability or integration. Providing real-time continuous data and advance warnings, VMS SaaS creates the ideal platform for decision support solutions (DSS).
It sophisticatedly handles our and our customers’ data: receiving, storing, data-logging, processing, producing graphic charts, sending and accessing the raw and processed data. Access is dedicated and customised per customer. All data is protected by high-end security standards and under required privacy policy.
Sensoil’s data systems are designed according to the NIST Cybersecurity Framework (U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology).
All VMS components are manufactured under rigorous quality assurance and control processes, in a dedicated facility.
Sensoil’s data systems are designed according to the NIST Cybersecurity Framework (U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology).
VMS Implementations
Over 170 Vadose-zone Monitoring Systems, containing thousands of sensors have been installed around the globe since Sensoil’s inception. Aquifer, groundwater and natural water source pollution occurrences have been avoided, remediation processes have been optimised, and scientific research has flourished.
VMS can be installed in a range of applications, where monitoring of the vadose (unsaturated) zone is important.
The patented VMS technology is based on over 25 years of research lead by Professor Ofer Dahan, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, (Israel) and University of Nevada, Reno (USA).