A sampler for taking samples from a molten metal bath includes a carrier tube having an immersion end; sample chamber assembly comprising a cover plate and a housing, wherein the housing comprises an immersion end having an opening; an inflow conduit having a first end for receiving molten metal and a second end, opposite the first end, wherein the second end is in communication with the opening, and the opening is configured to receive the molten metal from the inflow conduit; a measuring head, wherein the sample chamber and the second end of the inflow conduit are at least partly arranged in the measuring head; and a metal bushing, wherein the metal bushing coupling the inflow conduit to the sample chamber.

An apparatus to connect a multi-parameter probe or water sampling vessel to an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), or aerial drone, facilitates the safe collection of samples from various depths in any water body or storage tank. Aspects of the present invention reduce risks to humans, who would, under normal circumstances, be required to be present on the water body surface to carry out sampling. The invention also reduces sampling costs.

An apparatus to connect a multi-parameter probe or water sampling vessel to an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), or aerial drone, facilitates the safe collection of samples from various depths in any water body or storage tank. Aspects of the present invention reduce risks to humans, who would, under normal circumstances, be required to be present on the water body surface to carry out sampling. The invention also reduces sampling costs.

In one embodiment, a sampling device includes: an elongated tubular body having a longitudinal axis and a hollow interior enclosed at a top longitudinal end and a bottom longitudinal end of the body and a particulate matter. One or more mesh bags are disposed in the interior of the body and configured to contain the particulate matter inside a first mesh bag. The first mesh bag is an innermost mesh bag contained inside one or more outer mesh bags in a nested configuration when two or more mesh bags are disposed in the interior of the body. The body includes a plurality of body openings or one half lateral side of the body and no body openings on an opposite half lateral side of the body.

A drifting buoy sampler system for a stormwater discharge plume formed from stormwater discharged into coastal waters. The system compresan electronics sampling pod for collecting integrated water samples within the stormwater plume as the buoy system drifts with the stormwater plume near the water surface as the plume travels out to sea. The pod includes a watertight section including a GPS/radio module for providing GPS (geo-position) location information and a processor for monitoring and controlling the sampling rate, a pump module and a battery module; a passive sampler bag for collecting the integrated water samples; a free flooding section including a composite sample bag module such that the pump module pumps collected samples from the passive sampler bag to the composite sample bag module at a predetermined sampling rate and a ballast module for providing ballast to the system when drifting within the plume.

A drifting buoy sampler system for a stormwater discharge plume formed from stormwater discharged into coastal waters. The system compresan electronics sampling pod for collecting integrated water samples within the stormwater plume as the buoy system drifts with the stormwater plume near the water surface as the plume travels out to sea. The pod includes a watertight section including a GPS/radio module for providing GPS (geo-position) location information and a processor for monitoring and controlling the sampling rate, a pump module and a battery module; a passive sampler bag for collecting the integrated water samples; a free flooding section including a composite sample bag module such that the pump module pumps collected samples from the passive sampler bag to the composite sample bag module at a predetermined sampling rate and a ballast module for providing ballast to the system when drifting within the plume.

A method for in-situ measuring of a liquidus temperature of a supply of the molten salt, includes withdrawing a sample of the molten salt from the supply, placing it into a sample container, and cooling the sample of the molten salt from a first temperature above the liquidus temperature of the molten salt to a second temperature at which at least a portion of the sample of the molten salt solidifies. The method includes taking a plurality of temperature measurements of the sample of the molten salt during cooling of the sample and determining the liquidus temperature of the molten salt from the measurements. The sample of the molten salt is heated from the second temperature to the first temperature and returned to the supply of the molten salt.

A method for in-situ measuring of a liquidus temperature of a supply of the molten salt, includes withdrawing a sample of the molten salt from the supply, placing it into a sample container, and cooling the sample of the molten salt from a first temperature above the liquidus temperature of the molten salt to a second temperature at which at least a portion of the sample of the molten salt solidifies. The method includes taking a plurality of temperature measurements of the sample of the molten salt during cooling of the sample and determining the liquidus temperature of the molten salt from the measurements. The sample of the molten salt is heated from the second temperature to the first temperature and returned to the supply of the molten salt.

Low or no disturbance sampling can be accomplished such as through a single-platform aquatic species and habitat sampling system with data integration and rapid processing capabilities that can address the need for sampling at variable depths over varied habitats, along with the simultaneous collection of linked physical and biological data. The platform may be based on a 24-36 foot boat, and may include a net mouth opener brace for an adjustable concentrator net and smaller drift net which may be attached to an adjustable sample chamber, perhaps containing variable mesh capture nets as well as cameras, water sampling equipment, and water quality sensors integrated with a fish finder, GPS, and other monitoring and data recording equipment. The depth of the net mouth opener brace and sample chamber may be adjustable using a depth control.

Low or no disturbance sampling can be accomplished such as through a single-platform aquatic species and habitat sampling system with data integration and rapid processing capabilities that can address the need for sampling at variable depths over varied habitats, along with the simultaneous collection of linked physical and biological data. The platform may be based on a 24-36 foot boat, and may include a net mouth opener brace for an adjustable concentrator net and smaller drift net which may be attached to an adjustable sample chamber, perhaps containing variable mesh capture nets as well as cameras, water sampling equipment, and water quality sensors integrated with a fish finder, GPS, and other monitoring and data recording equipment. The depth of the net mouth opener brace and sample chamber may be adjustable using a depth control.