INTERMEDIATE STORAGE DOSING UNIT AND SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TAKING SAMPLES OF A FLUID

Abstract

An intermediate storage dosing unit for taking samples of a fluid. The intermediate storage dosing unit includes a container with an inlet and a two-way outlet. The two-way outlet has a riser as a first outlet and a drain as a second outlet. A system and a method for taking samples of a fluid. In particular, the system includes a sample acquisition unit and at least one sample vessel, the sample acquisition unit is configured to provide a fluid and the at least one sample vessel is configured to receive and store a fluid. A fluid transfer is also possible between the sample acquisition unit and the at least one sample vessel. The intermediate storage dosing unit of the type mentioned is connected between the sample acquisition unit and the at least one sample vessel.

Claims

1. An intermediate storage dosing unit (1) for taking samples of a fluid, comprising a container (10) with an inlet (12) and a two-way outlet, wherein the two-way outlet comprises a riser (5) as a first outlet and a drain (7) as a second outlet.

2. The intermediate storage dosing unit (1) of claim 1 characterized in that the drain (7) of the two-way outlet and/or the inlet (12) can be closed by a respective valve.

3. The intermediate storage dosing unit (1) of claim 1 characterized in that the intermediate storage dosing unit (1) has a filter unit (11) which comprises a filter support and a filter substrate; wherein the filter support is designed as a grid insert (13) with a wall (15) and a mounting element (17); wherein a channel (19) which acts as an overflow and/or for venting the container is arranged in the wall (15) and in the mounting element (17), wherein the filter substrate rests on the grid insert (13).

4. A system for taking samples of a fluid comprising a sample acquisition unit (2) configured to provide a fluid; at least one sample vessel (3), which is configured to contain and store a fluid; wherein a fluid transfer is possible between the sample acquisition unit (2) and the at least one sample vessel (3); characterized in that an intermediate storage dosing unit (1) of claim 1 is interposed between the sample acquisition unit (2) and the at least one sample vessel (3).

5. The system of claim 4 characterized in that the system comprises a conduit system (23) connected to the intermediate storage dosing unit (1), in particular to the riser (5) as a second outlet of the intermediate storage dosing unit (1), and the at least one sample vessel (3) can be connected to or disconnected from the conduit system (23), wherein when a sample vessel (3) is connected to the conduit system (23) a fluid transfer between the intermediate storage dosing unit (1) and the at least one sample vessel (3) is possible.

6. The system of claim 4 characterized in that the system comprises a data processing unit and an identification number, a control unit (21) and a valve are assigned to the at least one sample vessel (3), wherein the control unit (21) is in data communication with the data processing unit and is configured to open and/or close the valve; wherein the data processing unit is configured to generate fill level-dependent and/or sample vessel-dependent control commands and to address, by means of the identification number, the control unit (21) and to transmit the control commands to the control unit (21); wherein the sample vessel (3) is connected to the conduit system (23) when the valve is open and the sample vessel (3) is disconnected from the conduit system (23) when the valve is closed.

7. The system of claim 6 characterized in that the conduit system (23) comprises an inline pump which is configured to produce a fluid flow between the intermediate storage dosing unit (1) and a sample vessel (3) connected to the conduit system; the control unit (21) is configured to control the valve via an actuator.

8. The system of claim 6 characterized in that the valve is designed as a ball valve; the intermediate storage dosing unit (1) comprises a fluid level sensor which is configured to monitor the fill level of the fluid in the container (10), wherein the fluid level sensor is in data communication with the data processing unit and provides a fill level-related parameter to the latter; the data processing unit is configured to generate fill level-dependent control commands on the basis of the fill level-related parameter.

9. The system of claim 5 characterized in that the system comprises at least two sample vessels (3) and the sample vessels (3) within the conduit system (23) can be filled one after the other.

10. A method for taking samples of a fluid characterized in that a fluid is provided by a sample acquisition unit to an intermediate storage dosing unit (1) of claim 1; a fluid level sensor continuously detects a fill level of the fluid in the container (10) of the intermediate storage dosing unit (1) and provides a fill level-related parameter to a data processing unit; the data processing unit generates sample vessel-dependent and fill level-dependent control commands; the control commands are transmitted to a control unit (21) assigned to a sample vessel (3); the control unit (21) opens a valve assigned to the sample vessel (3) via an actuator, a fluid transfer takes place between the intermediate storage dosing unit (1) and the sample vessel (3), in that an inline pump generates a fluid flow; the sample vessel (3) receives and stores the fluid and seals it hermetically, wherein the inline pump preferably runs in reverse before the sample vessel is hermetically sealed in order to draw off the air contained in the sample vessel and in the conduit.

11. The intermediate storage dosing unit (1) of claim 1 wherein the respective valve in at least one instance is a ball valve (9).

12. The intermediate storage dosing unit (1) of claim 3 wherein the filter substrate comprises a fleece.

13. The system of claim 4 wherein the fluid is water.

14. The system of claim 5 characterized in that the system comprises a data processing unit and an identification number, a control unit (21) and a valve are assigned to the at least one sample vessel (3), wherein the control unit (21) is in data communication with the data processing unit and is configured to open and/or close the valve; wherein the data processing unit is configured to generate fill level-dependent and/or sample vessel-dependent control commands and to address, by means of the identification number, the control unit (21) and to transmit the control commands to the control unit (21); wherein the sample vessel (3) is connected to the conduit system (23) when the valve is open and the sample vessel (3) is disconnected from the conduit system (23) when the valve is closed.

15. The system of claim 6 wherein the valve is a three-way valve.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0093] FIG. 1 shows a sectional view of a preferred container with a preferred filter unit for a preferred intermediate storage dosing unit

[0094] FIG. 2 shows a representation of a preferred grid insert

[0095] FIG. 3 shows a sectional view of a preferred intermediate storage dosing unit

[0096] FIG. 4 shows a representation of a preferred conduit system with eight sample vessels that can be connected and disconnected

[0097] FIG. 5 shows a sectional view of a preferred sample vessel and the connection to a preferred conduit system

[0098] FIG. 6 shows a schematic representation of a preferred system

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0099] FIG. 1 shows a sectional view of a preferred container 10 with a preferred filter unit 11 for a preferred intermediate storage dosing unit 1. The container 10 is preferably to be divided into two portions, namely an upper cylindrical portion and a lower portion that tapers conically in the direction of an outlet. The upper cylindrical portion has an overhang which can be placed on a container holder 16. The filter unit 11 is preferably provided inside the container 10 in the upper cylindrical portion. The filter unit 11 preferably comprises a wall 15 with a mounting element 17, wherein the wall 15 is ring-shaped, namely it forms a closed ring, and has a shoulder at its upper edge, which is referred to as a mounting element 17. The ring-shaped wall 15 is placed inside the container 10 and placed on the upper edge of the container, in particular on the overhang of the container, via the mounting element 17. Within the annular wall 15, a grid insert 13 is preferably inserted. The wall preferably has a clamping element 15 in which the grid insert 13 can be clamped in a fixed position. A cover element 18 is preferably placed on the upper cylindrical portion of the container 10, wherein the mounting element 17 is positioned between the cover element 18 and the edge of the container 10. The cover element 18 preferably comprises two tall knurled screws 20, diagonally opposite one another when viewed from above, which can be screwed into the container holder 16, wherein it is possible for the overhang of the container edge and the mounting element 17 to be clamped in a non-positive manner between the holder 16 and the cover element 18 (Only one of the two can be seen in FIG. 1 due to the sectional view at the top left). In the wall 15 there are preferably grooves for two O-rings, which contribute to holding the filter unit 11 in a fixed position. The O-rings, as seals, along with a preferred third seal at the top under the cover element 18 are required for sealing to the outside. The filter unit 11 and the grid insert 13 can preferably be removed manually without the use of tools, for example for cleaning. The entire intermediate storage dosing unit 1, in particular the container 10, can also be removed without tools after loosening said two knurled screws 20 for cleaning or replacement. The ring-shaped wall 15 also preferably has an outside diameter which is essentially as large as the inside diameter of the container 10 in the upper cylindrical portion.

[0100] FIG. 2 shows a representation of a preferred grid insert 13. The grid insert 13 is preferably configured to be introduced into a wall 15 designed as a ring, wherein the diameter of the grid insert 13 essentially corresponds to the inside diameter of the annular wall 15. The grid insert 13 can preferably be introduced into the ring-shaped wall 15 by means of a press fit, so that the transition between the wall 15 and the grid insert 13 is water-impermeable and thus tight. The grid insert 13 is also configured to accommodate a filter substrate on grid elements. The filter substrate can comprise a fleece, for example.

[0101] The preferred grid insert 13 is intended on the one hand to create an optimal support (evenly distributed support points) and support for the very filigree and fine filter fleece (preferably 105 μm mesh size, more preferably 300 μm, in particular a maximum of 500 μm). On the other hand, the grid insert 13 should retain as little as possible sample fluid when wetted with the sample fluid. For this reason, the grid insert 13 preferably comprises small columns on which the fleece rests (filter fleece and grid insert 13 are preferably glued to one another on the outer circumference). This achieves the lowest possible retention when a film of fluid forms droplets which follow a trajectory, then coalesce and become a large droplet heavy enough to fall into the vessel. The grid webs between the drip columns are preferably narrow and kept as small as possible in terms of number and only have the task of holding the aforementioned columns. In a further step, the columns can comprise drip tips in a lower portion. All inner crossing points or inner edges of the grid webs are preferably rounded with small radii in order to minimize adhesions.

[0102] FIG. 3 shows a sectional view of a preferred intermediate storage dosing unit 1. In particular, the preferred intermediate storage dosing unit 1 comprises a container 10 with an inlet 12 and a two-way outlet. The container 10 tapers conically in the direction of the two-way outlet. The two-way outlet has a riser 5 as a first outlet and a drain 7 as a second outlet. The drain 7 of the two-way outlet and the inlet 12 can preferably be closed by a ball valve 9. In addition, the intermediate storage dosing unit 1 has a filter unit 11. The filter unit 11 preferably consists of a ring-shaped wall 15 with a mounting element 17, the ring-shaped wall 15 having an outer diameter which is essentially as large as the inner diameter of the container 10. The filter unit 11 is preferably sealed with the container 10 by two circumferential O Rings (made of EPDM or NBR). The mounting element 17 of the wall 15 is preferably placed on the upper edge of the container 10. The wall 15 designed as a ring also has a shape that allows a grid insert 13 to be accommodated and clamped inside the same. Preferably, in the wall 15 and in the mounting element 17 a channel 19 is introduced which is acting as an overflow and/or for venting the container 10. Furthermore, a filter substrate preferably rests on the grid insert 13, wherein the filter substrate preferably comprises a fleece. The channel 19 allows for pressure equalization, wherein no free surfaces of a collected fluid are in direct contact with the outside of the container 10. As a result, this arrangement counteracts evaporation. A free flow or evaporation is advantageously prevented via a hose connection leading downward to the atmosphere when the inlet valve 9 is closed. However, as long as the inlet valve 9 is open, a gas exchange of the container 10 with the atmosphere is possible.

[0103] FIG. 4 shows a preferred conduit system 23 with eight sample vessels 3 that can be connected and disconnected. Each sample vessel 3 is preferably assigned an identification number, a control unit 21 and a valve. Preferably, each control unit 21 is in data communication with a central data processing unit. The data processing unit is in particular configured to generate fill level-dependent and/or sample vessel-dependent control commands and to address by means of the identification number, a control unit 21 and to transmit the control commands to the selected control unit 21. The control unit 21, on the other hand, is set up to control the valve via an actuator, taking into account the control commands, and to open and/or close the valve assigned to a sample vessel 3.

[0104] In the present case, the sample vessels preferably consist of groups of four, which are arranged on mounting profiles with slot nuts so that they can be moved and positioned freely. A universal arrangement in all spatial directions and for all vessel sizes can thus be implemented. The concept is therefore also suitable for laboratory structures, measuring hut installations and equipment box installations. The drives of the three-way valves are preferably provided via servo drives with feedback of the valve position.

[0105] FIG. 5 illustrates a sectional view of a preferred sample vessel 3 and its connection to a preferred conduit system 23. The sample vessel 3 is preferably designed as a commercially available syringe which includes a moveable, sealed plunger that provides a variable, but nevertheless closed sample volume. The system preferably includes an inline pump which is configured to produce a fluid flow between the intermediate storage dosing unit 1 (not shown in FIG. 5) and a sample vessel 3 connected to the conduit system 23. The conduit system 23 preferably comprises the material FEP (tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene copolymer), which has only an extremely low permeability to diffusion and thus brings about good long-term storage conditions for sample storage. The sample vessel 3 is preferably associated with a valve, which can be switched via a control unit 21 using an actuator in an open and/or closed position.

[0106] The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5A shows a disconnected sample vessel 3, wherein the valve is a ball valve 9 (T-valve) and is in a closed position. Correspondingly, the fluid cannot be introduced into the sample vessel 3 and is passed through the ball valve 9 (T-valve) beyond the sample vessel 3. In the closed position of the valve 9, the sample vessel 3 is hermetically sealed.

[0107] In contrast, the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5B shows a sample vessel 3 connected to the conduit system 23 in that a ball valve 9 (T-valve) is switched to an open position. The sample can be filled into the sample vessel 3 in this open position. The fluid is fed into the sample vessel 3 through the ball valve 9 (T-valve).

[0108] FIG. 6 shows a schematic representation of a preferred system for taking samples of a fluid, preferably water. The preferred system comprises in particular a sample acquisition unit 2 and eight sample vessels 3, wherein the sample acquisition unit 2 is configured to provide a fluid and the respective sample vessels 3 are configured to receive and store a fluid. A fluid transfer is preferably possible between the sample acquisition unit 2 and the respective sample vessels 3. In addition, an intermediate storage dosing unit 1 is connected between the sample acquisition unit 2 and the sample, vessels 3.

[0109] The sample acquisition unit 2 can be designed, for example, as a rain collection funnel, a pump, a suction cup, or a gravitational inflow or a lysimeter. In the case of heavy rain events, for example, larger volumes can be collected first, from which one or more small samples can then be taken.

[0110] In this case, a sample is first transferred via the sample acquisition unit 2 into the intermediate storage dosing unit 1. The intermediate storage dosing unit 1 preferably comprises an inlet 12 which can preferably be closed by a motor-controlled ball valve 9. Furthermore, the intermediate storage dosing unit 1 has a container 10 and a filter unit 11 (not shown in FIG. 6) in order to be able to filter and collect the sample provided. Furthermore, a two-way outlet is designed in the intermediate storage dosing unit 1, namely a riser 5 as a first outlet and a drain 7 as a second outlet. The riser 5 is used to take samples from a water column in order to prevent the system from being contaminated by suspended solids and sediment. The drain 7, on the other hand, serves to remove excess sample fluid by gravity after a filling process. The drain 7 is preferably also closed by a motor-driven ball valve 9.

[0111] The sample is then conveyed into a preferred conduit system 23 via the riser 5, preferably with a peristaltic pump 25. Before each filling process, the entire conduit system 23 is flushed with the sample in order to prevent a previous sample from being carried over. A valve is preferably assigned to the sample vessels 3, which valve in each case can be switched to an open and/or dosed position via control units 21 by means of an actuator. As a result, the sample vessels 3 can be individually connected to the conduit system 23 so that they can be filled with the sample.

[0112] In the course of a flushing process, all sample vessels 3 in the conduit system 23 are disconnected, wherein the conduit system 23 preferably has a further outlet at its conduit end. The sample vessels 3 are preferably hermetically sealed and accordingly ensure long-term preservation of the sample without exchange with the environment. Before the sample vessel 3 is hermetically sealed, the peristaltic pump 25 preferably runs in reverse in order to skim off the air contained in the sample vessel 3 and in the conduit

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0113] 1 Intermediate storage dosing unit [0114] 2 sample acquisition unit [0115] 3 sample vessel [0116] 5 riser [0117] 7 drain [0118] 9 ball valve [0119] 10 container [0120] 11 filter unit [0121] 12 inlet [0122] 13 grid insert [0123] 15 wall [0124] 16 container holder [0125] 17 mounting element [0126] 18 cover element [0127] 19 channel (venting/overflow) [0128] 20 knurled screw [0129] 21 control unit [0130] 23 conduit system [0131] 25 peristaltic pump