Case Study: University of Göttingen achieves optimized single-borehole dewatering and reduced drawdown with COMSOL Multiphysics

University of Göttingen - Customer Case Study

The University of Göttingen investigated Düsensauginfiltration (DSI) — a novel dewatering method that pumps and reinjects groundwater within a single borehole — to understand when and how it works and where it can replace conventional pumping. To support field experiments and quantify the method’s limits, the University used Comsol’s COMSOL Multiphysics for coupled hydro‑mechanical modeling and parametric studies, partnering with industry and funded research bodies.

Using Comsol’s COMSOL Multiphysics, the team built 2D and 3D models (including parametric sweeps) that matched field data and revealed key performance metrics: when abstraction and infiltration rates are equal, DSI yields roughly half the drawdown of conventional pumping, while remaining effective only in permeable sand/gravel aquifers with sufficient regional groundwater and attention to anisotropy to avoid short‑circuiting. Comsol’s modeling enabled optimization and the development of specific guidelines to cut days of on‑site trial-and-error, saving time and improving reproducibility of the DSI technique.

University of Göttingen

Ekkehard Holzbecher

Assoc. Prof.