Remote electrochemical sensor
AssigneeNew Mexico State University Technology Transfer Corporation
InventorsJoseph Wang, Khris Olsen, David Larson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An electrochemical sensor for remote detection, particularly useful for metal contaminants and organic or other compounds. The sensor circumvents technical difficulties that previously prevented in-situ remote operations. The microelectrode, connected to a long communications cable, allows convenient measurements of the element or compound at timed and frequent intervals and instrument/sample distances of ten feet to more than 100 feet. The sensor is useful for both downhole groundwater monitoring and in-situ water (e.g., shipboard seawater) analysis.
Claims24
A field environmental analysis apparatus for determining the presence of pollutants in a natural environmental matrix comprising:
- a sensor assembly housed within an environmentally sealed connector including multiple electrodes submerged in the natural environmental matrix, one of said electrodes sensitive to the presence of a pollutant;
- a battery-powered analytical device;
- a cable interconnecting said sensor assembly and said analytical device;
- and
- said analytical device including means for applying a periodic voltage to the sensor assembly, means for receiving a response from said sensor assembly, and means for converting, in real time, the measured response to determine the presence of a pollutant.
A method for on-site in situ environmental analysis utilizing potentiometric stripping analysis to determine the presence of pollutants comprising the steps of:
- temporarily depositing a sensor assembly housed within an environmentally sealed connector including multiple electrodes, one of which is a pollution sensitive electrode, into a natural environmental matrix at a depth below the surface of the matrix;
- locating a portable, battery-powered environmental analytical device on the surface of the matrix;
- connecting the electrodes of the sensor assembly through a multiple conductor cable to the analytical device;
- periodically applying a low-voltage signal from the analytical device to the sensor assembly;
- measuring the response to said signal from the electrode assembly;
- and
- continuously converting, in real time, the measured response to determine the presence of a pollutant.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.