Measuring and testing – Sampler – sample handling – etc. – With constituent separation
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-07
2001-08-14
Williams, Hezron (Department: 2856)
Measuring and testing
Sampler, sample handling, etc.
With constituent separation
C073S863210, C073S863560, C073S864510
Reexamination Certificate
active
06272938
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to an in-situ sampling device for monitoring compounds. In particular, the invention relates to a method and device for monitoring of volatile organic compounds in groundwater wells.
Presently, large amounts of time, energy, and money are spent monitoring groundwater, for example monitoring groundwater at remediation sites. In recent years, attempts have been made to develop in-situ samplers that can passively sample volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in groundwater wells. Diffusive vapor samplers with sorbent tube and water samplers, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,481,927 and 5,804,743, provide passive in-situ methods for monitoring VOCs in groundwater and unsaturated soils (vadose) zones.
The diffusive vapor sampler of U.S. Pat. No. 5,804,743, assigned to the assignee of this invention, comprises a diffusion membrane that has a high permeability rate for organic vapors and is impermeable to water. Upon retrieval from the well, the samples are sent to a laboratory for analysis or analyzed by gas chromatography on site.
Diffusive vapor samplers provide advantages over traditional groundwater sampling methods because these samplers do not need purging of groundwater wells in order to collect representative water samples. Purging can increase project costs because removal of water from each well results in large amounts of contaminated purge water that must be disposed. Moreover, purging potentially confounds analytical results by creating sediments, particulates, and erroneous concentration readings. Although in-situ diffusive vapor samplers promote minimization of wastes, they may not provide yield real-time monitoring of groundwater wells.
Therefore, a need exists for methods to monitor groundwater and remediation processes. Further, a need exists for an in-situ device that can be used to monitor volatile organic compounds (VOCs) continuously in groundwater.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An aspect of the invention provides a sampling device that can monitor contaminants in groundwater. The sampling device comprises a semi-permeable membrane for contact with groundwater, in which the semi-permeable membrane is permeable to contaminants and impermeable to groundwater; an inner chamber formed by the semi-permeable membrane for containing the contaminants from the groundwater that diffuse through the semi-permeable membrane; and a sensor device communicating with the inner chamber. The sensor device is in contact with the contaminants contained within the inner chamber for monitoring the contaminants.
Further, the invention provides a method for the monitoring of contaminants in ground water. The method comprises steps of: providing a semi-permeable membrane, the membrane being permeable only to the contaminants in groundwater; forming an inner chamber with the semi-permeable membrane for containing the contaminants that diffuse into the chamber; disposing the semi-permeable membrane within the groundwater; and detecting the contaminants with a sensor device. The sensor device is in communication with the inner chamber of the semi-permeable membrane for the monitoring of contaminants in groundwater.
Yet another aspect of the invention sets forth a sampling system for the monitoring of contaminants in groundwater and transmission of information from the monitoring. The sampling system comprises a sampling device and a data receiving and transmission system. The sampling device comprises a semi-permeable membrane for contact with groundwater, the semi-permeable membrane being permeable to contaminants and impermeable to groundwater; an inner chamber formed by the semi-permeable membrane for containing the contaminants from the groundwater that diffuse through the semi-permeable membrane; and a sensor device communicating with the inner chamber, the sensor device being in contact with the contaminants contained within the inner chamber. The data receiving and transmission system communicates monitored information from the sampling system.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5010776 (1991-04-01), Lucero et al.
patent: 5059790 (1991-10-01), Klainer et al.
patent: 5481927 (1996-01-01), Hubbell et al.
patent: 5804743 (1998-09-01), Vroblesky et al.
patent: 5996423 (1999-12-01), Baghel et al.
Baghel Sunita Singh
Bracco Angelo Anthony
Mackenzie Patricia Denise
Salvo Joseph James
Sivavec Timothy Mark
Bennett Bernadette M.
General Electric Company
Johnson Noreen C.
Loo Dennis
Williams Hezron
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