# US 2013/0239666 A1 · Systems and Methods for the Detection of Low-Level Harmful Substances in a Large Volume of Fluid > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2013/0239666 A1 - Document ID: US20130239666A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/607,921 - Filed: 2012-09-10 - Published: 2013-09-19 - Earliest claimed: 2007-04-02 - Assignees: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency - Inventors: Michael Vance Carpenter; Lyle Gene Roybal; Alan Lindquist; Vincente Gallardo - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130239666A1 ## CPC - G01N 33/1866: {using microorganisms} - B01D 61/147: {Microfiltration} - B01D 63/02: Hollow fibre modules - G01N 1/14: Suction devices, e.g. pumps; Ejector devices - G01N 1/4005: {by transferring a selected component through a membrane} - G01N 15/0618: {of the filter type (G01N15/0643 takes precedence)} - G01N 15/01: specially adapted for biological cells, e.g. blood cells (investigating sedimentation of particle suspensions in blood G01N15/05) - G01N 2001/4088: {filtration} - G01N 2015/0046: {in gas, e.g. smoke} - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) - B01D: SEPARATION (separating solids from solids by wet methods B03B, B03D; by pneumatic jigs or tables B03B; by other dry methods B07; magnetic or electrostatic separation of solid materials from solid materials or fluids, separation by high-voltage electric fields B03C; centrifuges, vortex apparatus B04; presses per se for squeezing-out liquid from liquid-containing material B30B9/02; treatment of water C02F, e.g. softening by ion-exchange C02F1/42; {arrangements of air intake cleaners in gas turbine plants F02C7/05} ; arrangements or mounting of filters in air-conditioning, air-humidification or ventilation F24F13/28) ## Abstract A method and device for the detection of low-level harmful substances in a large volume of fluid comprising using a concentrator system to produce a retentate and analyzing the retantate for the presence of at one harmful substance. The concentrator system performs a method comprising pumping at least 10 liters of fluid from a sample source through a filter While pumping, the concentrator system diverts retentate from the filter into a container. The concentrator system also recirculates at least part of the retentate in the container again through the filter. The concentrator system controls the speed of the pump with a control system thereby maintaining a fluid pressure less than 25 psi during the pumping of the fluid; monitors the quantity of retentate within the container with a control system, and maintains a reduced volume level of retentate and a target volume of retentate. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for the detection of low-level harmful substances in a large volume of fluid comprising: a) using a concentrator system to perform a method comprising: i) pumping at least 10 liters of fluid from a sample source through a filter and back into said sample source; said filter preventing the passage of at least one harmful substance; ii) diverting retentate from said filter into a container; iii) recirculating at least part of said retentate in said container again through said filter; iv) venting air to and from said container through an air filter; v) preventing the release of said retentate out of said concentrator system; vi) controlling the speed of said pump with a control system thereby maintaining a fluid pressure less than 25 PSI during said pumping of said fluid; vii) monitoring the quantity of retentate within said container with a control system and maintaining a reduced volume level of retentate and a target volume of retentate comprising: (1) detecting a value at least relating to the volume or weight of said retentate; and (2) controlling the amount of retenate diverted in said step of diverting retentate; and b) analyzing said retentate for the presence of at least one harmful substance. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method for the detection of low-level harmful substances in a large volume of fluid of claim 1 further comprising monitoring for leaks within said concentrator system. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method for the detection of low-level harmful substances in a large volume of fluid of claim 1: a) further comprising transporting said container to a location different from said sample source; and b) whereby said step of analyzing said retentate comprises analyzing said retentate at said remote location. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method for the detection of low-level harmful substances in a large volume of fluid of claim 1 whereby said step of analyzing said retentate comprises analyzing said retentate with one or more analyzers within said concentrator system notifying a user of the results. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method for the detection of low-level harmful substances in a large volume of fluid of claim 1 whereby said filter comprises a blocking solution. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method for the detection of low-level harmful substances in a large volume of fluid of claim 1 whereby said filter comprises a blocking solution consisting essentially of water, polysorbate 80, Antifoam A, and sodium polyphosphate. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method for the detection of low-level harmful substances in a large volume of fluid of claim 1 further comprising after said step of pumping fluid from said sample source pumping an elution solution. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method for the detection of low-level harmful substances in a large volume of fluid of claim 1 further comprising after said step of pumping fluid from said sample source pumping an elution solution consisting essentially of water and 0.001% polysorbate 80. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method for the detection of low-level harmful substances in a large volume of fluid of claim 1 whereby said step of pumping fluid from said sample source comprises pumping fluid from said sample source using a single pump. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method for the detection of low-level harmful substances in a large volume of fluid of claim 1 whereby said step of pumping fluid comprising pumping at least 100 liters of fluid. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method for the detection of low-level harmful substances in a large volume of fluid of claim 1 whereby said step of pumping fluid comprising pumping 100 liters of fluid. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The method for the detection of low-level harmful substances in a large volume of fluid of claim 1 whereby said step of pumping fluid comprising pumping less than 2.9 liters per minute of fluid. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The method for the detection of low-level harmful substances in a large volume of fluid of claim 1 whereby said step of controlling the amount of retentate diverted produces less than 500 ml of retentate per 100 liters of fluid from said sample source. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The method for the detection of low-level harmful substances in a large volume of fluid of claim 1 whereby said step of controlling the amount of retentate diverted produces less than 250 ml of retentate per 100 liters of fluid from said sample source. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The method for the detection of low-level harmful substances in a large volume of fluid of claim 1 whereby said step of analyzing said transported retentate comprises: a) detecting the amount of one or more harmful substances in said transported retentate; b) determining the concentration factor of said retentate from the ratio of said pumped fluid to said electrically monitored quantity of retentate; and c) multiplying each said detected said one or more harmful substances in said transported retentate by said determined concentration factor thereby producing the number of harmful substances in said pumped fluid. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The method for the detection of low-level harmful substances in a large volume of fluid of claim 1 whereby said step diverting retentate from said filter into a container comprises directing said retentate along the inner walls of said container. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The method for the detection of low-level harmful substances in a large volume of fluid of claim 1 whereby: a) said step of detecting a value at least relating to the volume or weight of said retentate comprises a measuring device connected to said container; and b) said step of diverting retentate from said filter comprises diverting retentate from said filter into a container perpendicular to said measuring device. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The method for the detection of low-level harmful substances in a large volume of fluid of claim 1 whereby said step of venting air to and from said container through an air filter comprises venting air to and from said container through a HEPA filter. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The method for the detection of low-level harmful substances in a large volume of fluid of claim 1 whereby said filter comprises a plurality of hollow fibers extending through the body of said filter. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The method for the detection of low-level harmful substances in a large volume of fluid of claim 1 whereby said filter comprises a longitudinally extending central lumen surrounded by a porous wall, said porous wall comprising a plurality of pores having an average pore size selected to prevent said at least one harmful substances from passing through said plurality of pores. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The method for the detection of low-level harmful substances in a large volume of fluid of claim 20 whereby said porous walls of said hollow fibers of said plurality of hollow fibers have an average pore size of between about fifty nanometers (50 nm) and about two microns (2 μm). ### Claim 22 (depends on 1) The method for the detection of low-level harmful substances in a large volume of fluid of claim 1 whereby: a) said reduced volume level of retentate is 250 ml; and b) said target volume of retentate is 750 ml. ### Claim 23 (depends on 1) The method for the detection of low-level harmful substances in a large volume of fluid of claim 1 whereby said step of pumping fluid from a sample source through a filter and back to said sample source comprises pumping fluid through at least one loop of conduit and then through a filter. ### Claim 24 (depends on 1) The method for the detection of low-level harmful substances in a large volume of fluid of claim 1 further comprising: a) monitoring for leaks within said concentrator system; b) after said step of pumping fluid from said sample source pumping an elution solution; and whereby c) said filter comprises a blocking solution; d) said step of pumping fluid comprising pumping at least 100 liters of fluid; e) said step of controlling the amount of retentate diverted produces less than 500 ml of retentate per 100 liters of fluid from said sample source; f) said step diverting retentate from said filter into a container comprises directing said retentate along the inner walls of said container; and g) said step of venting air to and from said container through an air filter comprises venting air to and from said container through a HEPA filter. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The method for the detection of low-level harmful substances in a large volume of fluid of claim 24 further comprising: a) said step of pumping fluid from said sample source comprises pumping fluid from said sample source using a single pump; b) said step of pumping fluid comprising pumping less than 2.9 liters per minute of fluid; c) said step of controlling the amount of retentate diverted produces less than 250 ml of retentate per 100 liters of fluid from said sample source; d) said step of analyzing said transported retentate comprises: i) detecting the amount of one or more harmful substances in said transported retentate; ii) determining the concentration factor of said retentate from the ratio of said pumped fluid to said electrically monitored quantity of retentate; and iii) multiplying each said detected said one or more harmful substances in said transported retentate by said determined concentration factor thereby producing the number of harmful substances in said pumped fluid; e) said step of detecting a value at least relating to the volume or weight of said retentate comprises a measuring device connected to said container; f) said step of diverting retentate from said filter comprises diverting retentate from said filter into a container perpendicular to said measuring device; and g) said step of pumping fluid from a sample source through a filter and back to said sample source comprises pumping fluid through at least one loop of conduit and then through a filter. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) The method for the detection of low-level harmful substances in a large volume of fluid of claim 25 whereby: a) said elution solution consisting essentially of water and polysorbate 80; b) said filter comprises a blocking solution consisting essentially of water, polysorbate 80, Antifoam A, and sodium polyphosphate; c) said step of pumping fluid comprising pumping 100 liters of fluid; d) said reduced volume level of retentate is 250 ml; e) said target volume of retentate is 750 ml; f) said filter comprises a longitudinally extending central lumen surrounded by a porous wall, said porous wall comprising a plurality of pores having an average pore size selected to prevent said at least one harmful substances from passing through said plurality of pores; and g) said porous walls of said hollow fibers of said plurality of hollow fibers have an average pore size of between about fifty nanometers (50 nm) and about two microns (2 μm). ### Claim 27 (depends on 26) The method for the detection of low-level harmful substances in a large volume of fluid of claim 26 further comprising: a) transporting said container to a location different from said sample source; and whereby b) said step of analyzing said retentate comprises analyzing said retentate at said remote location. ### Claim 28 (depends on 26) The method for the detection of low-level harmful substances in a large volume of fluid of claim 26 further comprising said step of analyzing said retentate comprises analyzing said retentate with one or more analyzers within said concentrator system notifying a user of the results.