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US 10,591,389 B2Granted
Systems and methods for automation of low-flow groundwater sampling
AssigneeIn-Situ, Inc.
InventorsMatthew Trumbo, Benjamin Kimbell
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Provided are low flow groundwater fluid sampling systems and related methods of collecting fluid samples, including a low flow pump, flow cell, waste container and a communication device in communication with those components. In this manner, the low flow pump may be controlled to ensure a desired constant flow-rate is achieved, and a remote operator may monitor the status of fluid being pumped to the flow cell with the communication device, such as with a portable electronic device, including a smart phone. The system may alert the operator that fluid is ready to be collected for sampling, including at an off-site laboratory. Particularly useful applications are for monitoring groundwater quality and contamination.
Claims47
A low flow groundwater fluid sampling system comprising:
- a low flow pump;
- a flow cell in fluid communication with said low flow pump, wherein said flow cell comprises one or more fluid quality sensors;
- a waste container in fluid communication with said flow cell for collecting a waste fluid, wherein said waste container comprises a level sensor for measuring a waste fluid depth in said waste container;
- a communication device in wireless communication with each of said low flow pump, flow cell and waste container, wherein:
- said low flow pump has an adjustable pump power to provide a desired constant flow-rate to said flow cell from an electronic communication between said low flow pump and said level sensor, and said at least one fluid quality sensor measures one or more fluid parameters over a time course to assess a fluid stabilization status;
- upon fluid stabilization said communication device indicates an affirmative fluid stabilization condition and that a fluid sample may be collected;
- and
- all fluid provided to said flow cell by said low flow pump is either collected in a fluid sample or directed to said waste container and collected as said waste fluid.
5 more elements
A method for collecting low flow fluid samples from groundwater, the method comprising the steps of:
- continuously pumping a flow of groundwater fluid to a flow cell at a substantially constant flow-rate;
- measuring a fluid quality parameter time course with a fluid sensor in said flow cell;
- identifying a positive fluid quality stabilization status for said measured fluid quality parameter that reaches a steady-state value;
- and
- wirelessly transmitting a signal to a communication device indicating a fluid sample is ready to be collected from said flow of groundwater fluid;
- collecting a waste fluid that exits said flow cell in a waste container;
- and
- monitoring a waste fluid level with a level sensor connected to said waste container.
5 more elements
A system for sampling or monitoring groundwater, comprising:
- a flow cell including at least one fluid quality sensor;
- a pump in flow communication with the flow cell;
- a flow sensor in flow communication with the flow cell;
- a pump controller for regulating a fluid flow-rate from a groundwater source to the flow cell, the pump controller operatively coupled to the pump;
- a sampling controller for implementing a control scheme for the groundwater sampling system, the sampling controller communicatively coupled to:
- the flow sensor, the at least one fluid quality sensor and the pump controller;
- the control scheme including:
- (a) transmitting a control signal to the pump controller in response to signals received from the flow sensor to facilitate maintaining a substantially constant fluid flow-rate from the groundwater source to the flow cell;
- (b) determining one or more fluid parameters over a time course based on signals received from the at least one fluid quality sensor;
- (c) determining a fluid stabilization status of groundwater flowed to the flow cell by the pump based on the one or more fluid parameters determined in (b);
- and
- (d) in response to an affirmative fluid stabilization condition being determined in (c), initiating collection of at least one fluid sample of the groundwater under test.
9 more elements
A method for monitoring groundwater, comprising:
- (A) flowing, by a pump operatively coupled to a pump controller, groundwater under test from a groundwater source to a flow cell in flow communication with the pump, the flow cell including at least one fluid quality sensor;
- (B) collecting at least one fluid sample of the groundwater under test from an output flow of the flow cell;
- (C) controlling, by a sampling controller, the pump controller to facilitate regulating a fluid flow-rate from the groundwater source to the flow cell, wherein the sampling controller is communicatively coupled to the pump controller and communicatively coupled to a flow sensor, the controlling step comprising:
- (i) transmitting, by the sampling controller, a control signal to a pump controller in response to signals received from the flow sensor to facilitate maintaining a substantially constant fluid flow-rate from the groundwater source to the flow cell;
- (ii) determining one or more fluid parameters of the groundwater under test over a time course based on signals received from the at least one fluid quality sensor;
- (iii) determining a fluid stabilization status of the groundwater under test based on the one or more fluid stabilization parameters determined in (ii);
- and
- (iv) in response to an affirmative fluid stabilization condition being determined in (iii), initiating a collection of at least one fluid sample of the groundwater under test.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.