DE102016124857A1 - Device for taking a water sample and a method for determining a distribution of the water content - Google Patents

Abstract

A device for taking water samples for taking samples of water (60) in a well (50) is disclosed. The device comprises a tubular body (110) of flexible material adapted to be inserted into the well (50) and a check valve (120) located at one end of the tubular body (110). The check valve (120) is configured to allow water to flow into the tubular body (110) and to inhibit reverse water flow when the tubular body (110) is lifted, such that a depth-dependent distribution of the water content in the tubular body (110). is maintained when the tubular body (110) is removed from the well (50).

Description

The present invention relates to a device for taking a water sample and a method for determining a distribution of the water content, and more particularly to an interval sampler of groundwater for use in a well.

background

There is an increasing need to obtain regular samples from wells or wells that are located in remote areas and are only small in diameter. In general, it is very difficult to get the water samples from these wells. For example, a drilled well may have a depth of up to 150 m or more, may have a diameter of only 5 cm (or a maximum of 10 cm), and the water level may be at a depth of 25 m. In such situations, there is no satisfactory solution based on pumps for sampling groundwater. For example, a floor level suction pump can not be used because the water level is too low. But even a conventional sampling by means of a retractable pump can be used only as long as the diameter of the well is sufficiently large, so that the pump can be introduced into the well and lowered. However, if the diameter is small (for example, only 5 cm or less), a lowerable pump may not fit into the well. Therefore, according to the conventional sampling method, the diameter of the well should be sufficiently large to introduce a small submersible pump, for example, like battery powered pumps.

Another obstacle during sampling refers to the purging procedure required in conventional procedures prior to the start of sampling. The groundwater is usually under a certain pressure (in particular, the deeper water layers) and the water level in the well is thus above the level for which you want to take samples. Therefore, the volume of water in the well or in the pipe must first be exchanged - usually at least twice, until the sample can be taken, and it may therefore be necessary to first pump through a considerable volume of water (for example about 250 l). The mentioned small pumps that fit into the small wells, however, can only pump a few liters per minute, so that rinsing can take between 2 to 3 hours, which is unacceptable in many situations.

Another conventional sampling method is so-called in-situ sampling, either with a very low flow pump to avoid mixing of the water in the well, or with a scoop. However, a scoop can only take a certain depth and a certain gap (between 1 m to 2 m) with a sampling, although no rinsing before sampling is required.

Thus, all available conventional methods of sampling are not suitable for small drilled wells extending to a high depth and therefore there is a need for alternative solutions.

Overview of the invention

The present invention solves at least some of the above-mentioned problems by a water sample taking apparatus according to claim 1, a water distribution determining method according to claim 9 and the use of a flat tube for taking water samples according to claim 11. The dependent claims refer to Particular to advantageous implementations of the subject-matter of the independent claims.

The present invention relates to a device for taking water samples for taking water samples. The device comprises: a tubular body of flexible material adapted to be introduced into water and a check valve disposed at one end of the tubular body and adapted to allow water flow into the tubular body and an opposite one To prevent water flow when lifting the tubular body, so that a depth-dependent distribution of the water content in the tubular body is maintained when the tubular body is removed from the well. The water can be in a well or in a water reservoir or can be a lake.

Optionally, the tubular body comprises a plastic material that is laid flat when there is no water in the tubular body. The flexible material of the tubular body may be any material that is malleable such that even a very long tubular body (for example over 100 meters) can be rolled up in a compact manner to be used in remote locations on site for sampling water become. It will be appreciated that the property of the flats does not necessarily imply that the tubular body becomes completely flat, but only to a certain degree, to allow the tubular body to roll up on a reel even for deeper wells or lakes to enable. However, it is advantageous that the tubular body is as flat as possible. This simplifies handling and transportation.

The apparatus may further comprise at least one float adapted to subsequently open the cross-section of the portions of the tubular body before the portions are immersed in the water. This has the advantage that water turbulence in the tubular body can be prevented so that the water from different depths does not mix. The float (s) may be light enough to open the tubular body and may have a diameter slightly below a diameter of the water-filled tubular body. Optionally, the at least one float has a plastic tube or one or more swimming balls.

The flow in the tubular body may be subject to flow resistance. The check valve may be configured to provide a valve resistance for the flow of water that is less than or equal to the flow resistance of the tubular body. This can be accomplished, for example, by selecting the diameter of the flow path accordingly (for example, a larger diameter in the check valve) or by selecting appropriate materials. This feature has the effect that the water can easily flow into the tubular body without causing turbulence, which can lead to undesirable mixing of the water. Therefore, the layered water content can be maintained.

The tubular body may be further configured to be clamped and cut when the tubular body is outside the water. Optionally, the tubular body comprises a polymeric material, in particular a polyethylene or polyethene plastic material (transparent or non-transparent). In addition, the check valve may include a material (for example, metal) that is sufficiently heavy to draw the tubular body into the water. The check valve may comprise at least one of the following components: a sealing ball or flap, or any type of slider or barrier.

The present invention also relates to a method for determining a distribution of depth-dependent water content (for example in a well or a lake) using one of the above-defined devices for taking water samples. The method includes: inserting and lowering the tubular body into the water, thereby continuously filling the tubular body with water; Lifting the tubular body together with a water column whereby the check valve closes the tubular body; and taking the water sample. The individual samples containing water content for a certain depth, for example, in the well or in the lake. Thus, by collecting a plurality of samples, a distribution of water content as a function of depth is obtained.

Optionally, the sampling step further comprises: dividing the tubular body into sections, each section identifying a water sample for a desired depth. The method may further include the step of cutting the sections to separate the different water samples that belong to different depths in the example well or lake.

The present invention further relates to the use of a flattened tube for sampling groundwater.

The present invention solves at least some of the problems described above by using an exemplary flat-lying plastic tube with a bottom valve (the check valve) at one end. This tube can be selected so that the cross-section (perpendicular to the tube) fits into the desired well to take water samples. After introducing the tube into the water, the cross-section is filled with water and sampled simultaneously in one step. It is therefore sufficient to lower the sampling device to the desired depth in the well and withdraw the tubular body so that the water samples of the various depths in the tubular body can be preserved and used for subsequent analyzes. Depending on the diameter of the flattened tube, the amount of water sample can be varied according to requirements.

list of figures

• 1 eine Vorrichtung zur Entnahme einer Wasserprobe gemäß einer Ausführungsform der vorliegenden Erfindung darstellt;
• 2 den Betrieb der Vorrichtung zur Entnahme einer Wasserprobe von 1 veranschaulicht; und
• 3 ein Ablaufdiagramm eines Verfahrens zum Bestimmen einer Verteilung des Wasserinhalts in Abhängigkeit von der Tiefe in einem Brunnen darstellt.

Various embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

• 1 a device for taking a sample of water according to an embodiment of the present invention;
• 2 the operation of the device for taking a water sample of 1 illustrated; and
• 3 FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a method for determining a distribution of water content versus depth in a well. FIG.

Detailed description

The water content depends on the depth of, for example, in the well. Since certain water-bearing layers may possibly be contaminated, it is of particular interest to identify these layers. Furthermore, from a subsequent analysis, a precise distribution of the water content as a function of the depth in the well is derived, for example, to determine contaminated water-bearing layers with high accuracy. For this purpose, it is important that the water from the various layers not mix during the sampling process, and embodiments of the present invention meet this requirement.

1 Fig. 10 illustrates an apparatus for taking a water sample according to an embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus is suitable for taking water samples in a well (or a lake or other water reservoir) and comprises: a tubular body 110 of flexible material designed to be inserted into the well; and a check valve 120 (Bottom valve) attached to one end of the tubular body 110 is arranged. The check valve 120 is designed to allow a flow of water into the tubular body 110 to allow and prevent an opposite water flow when the tubular body 110 is raised. Therefore, a depth-dependent distribution of the water content in the tubular body becomes 110 maintain when the tubular body 110 is taken out of the wells.

The check valve 120 is in 1 shown only schematically. The check valve 120 can have a very low resistance to the incoming water. This can ensure that within a short time a sufficient amount of water flows into the tubular body, and it can be realized by selecting a diameter of the flow path in the valve in a corresponding manner. For example, the cross-sectional area of the flowpath may be the same or even slightly larger than in the valve in the tube. In addition, the check valve 120 have their own weight, which is sufficiently large to the tubular body 110 to draw under water, reducing the tubular body 110 is filled with water when the sampling device is introduced into the well.

2a . 2 B illustrate an exemplary operation of the device for taking a water sample of 1 with a flat-lying tubular body 110 for taking a water sample in a well 50 that with water 60 up to a water level 70 (for example, a groundwater level) is filled. At the beginning, the tubular body 110 on a roll 105 rolled up and unrolled when the tubular body 110 in the fountain 50 is introduced (see 2A ). When lowering, the tubular body becomes 110 through the check valve 120 filled with water, with the water in the empty flat-lying tube 110 simply because of the water in the well 50 applied pressure flows and the horizontal properties of the water column in the tubular body 110 preserved.

In the illustrated embodiment is a float 130 in the tubular body 110 arranged. This swimmer 130 can be in the tubular body 110 moving freely, but floats, thus opening subsequent sections of the flat-lying tubular body 110 before the respective sections dip. The swimmer 130 may comprise a plastic tube or cylinder (for example 10 to 70 cm and 30 to 50 cm long) or one or more balls and should be sufficiently light to vary depending on the material of the tubular body 110 to provide a sufficient spreading force. The swimmer 130 can only have a slightly smaller diameter than the inner diameter of the flat-lying tubular body 110 to have.

When in the fountain 50 reaches a desired depth, the tubular body becomes 110 is raised as in 2 B shown. When lifting the tubular body 110 closes the check valve 120 at the bottom end of the tubular body 110 and prevents water from flowing out.

It is beneficial if the speed with which the tubular body enters the water 60 is introduced, such that no mixing of the water layers in the tubular body 110 can be done. This can be achieved if the flow resistance in the check valve 120 is low (for example, about equal to or lower than the flow resistance in the tubular body 110 ). As a result, the water column poses in the tubular body 110 directly the distribution of water or water content in the well 50 and will be retained for later analysis or investigation.

After taking out the tubular body 110 from the fountain 50 (for example, on the ground), the tubular body 110 be divided into the desired sections and be cut accordingly to different samples from different depths of the well 50 to obtain. The desired sections can be used for later analysis.

A particular advantage of the embodiments of the present invention is that no mixing of the water occurs or is under control - at least as long as the rate at which the tubular body 110 is introduced into the water, is sufficiently small to obtain an ideally laminar flow and turbulence in the flow of water in the tubular body 110 to avoid.

The tubular body 110 may be formed as a thin film and may be transparent or non-transparent. It can be made of any material, but handling is simplified if it can be rolled up as a flat tube (made, for example, of polyethylene or other polymeric material). It is also advantageous if it can be sealed and cut into the desired sections that represent certain depths. Thus, embodiments enable the obtaining of water samples for different depths by simple means. These samples are ready for transport or can be transferred to sample bottles.

Furthermore, it may be advantageous if the water level in the well 50 is significantly below the groundwater level to provide an optional stabilizer along the tubular body. For example, a sufficiently strong conduit may be inside or outside the tubular body 110 be added to hedge a lifting of the water-filled tubular body 110. However, if the water level 70 near the groundwater level and there is water in the tubular body 110 under the water level 70 does not contribute to the total weight, no further stabilizing agent is required and a normal flat plastic tube may suffice to provide sufficient stability to withdraw the device for taking a sample of water. Therefore, embodiments provide a simple, efficient and inexpensive way to obtain water samples for wells that would otherwise be difficult to collect (for example, small wells, see the notes in the introduction).

Embodiments of the present invention further relate to the use of a lay-flat tube 110 for sampling water.

• - Einführen und Absenken S110 des röhrenförmigen Körpers 110 in den Brunnen 50, wodurch der röhrenförmige Körper 110 fortlaufend mit Wasser 60 gefüllt wird;
• - Anheben S120 des röhrenförmigen Körpers 110 zusammen mit einer Wassersäule aus dem Brunnen 50, wobei das Rückschlagventil 120 den röhrenförmigen Körper 110 verschließt; und
• - Entnehmen einer Probe S130 der Wassersäule.

3 FIG. 3 illustrates a flowchart of a method for determining a depth-dependent distribution of the water content in a well 50 The method comprises:

• - Inserting and lowering S110 of the tubular body 110 in the fountain 50 , causing the tubular body 110 continuously with water 60 is filled;
• - lifting S120 of the tubular body 110 along with a water column from the well 50 , wherein the check valve 120 the tubular body 110 closes; and
• - Take a sample S130 of the water column.

The method further includes steps such as dividing the tubular body 110 in sections, each section of a sample of water 60 determined at a desired depth. The method may further include the step of cutting the sections to the different water samples 60 leading to different depths in the well 50 belong, separate. This offers the advantage that the tube filled with water 110 must not be turned in a horizontal orientation, which carries the risk of an undesirable water mixture in the water column. However, if the water column has a manageable height (for example, less than a few meters), it may be possible to use the tubular body 110 completely out of the well 50 pull out and the water from the tubular body 110 to flow out in a controlled manner (for example by a manual opening of the check valve 120 ) to obtain the desired depth-dependent water samples.

In addition, all the functions described above in connection with the sampling device can be realized as further optional method steps.

The description and the drawings illustrate only the principles of disclosure. It is therefore to be understood that various arrangements will be apparent to those skilled in the art, which, although not explicitly described or illustrated herein, embody the principles of the disclosure and are included in the scope thereof.

Furthermore, while each embodiment may stand by itself as a separate example, it should be emphasized that in other embodiments the defined features may be combined differently, i. a particular feature described in one embodiment may also be implemented in other embodiments. Such combinations are covered by the present disclosure unless it is stated that a particular combination is not intended.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

50

Fountain

60

Water in the well

70

Water level in the fountain

105

Roll of a rolled flat lying pipe

110

Tubular body

120

check valve

130

At least one swimmer

Claims (11)

Apparatus for taking water samples for taking samples of water (60), the apparatus comprising: a tubular body (110) of flexible material adapted to be inserted into the water (60); and a check valve (120) disposed at one end of the tubular body (110) and configured to allow water to flow into the tubular body (110) and to inhibit reverse water flow upon lifting of the tubular body (110) depth-dependent distribution of the water content in the tubular body (110) is maintained when the tubular body (110) is removed from the water (60). Device after Claim 1 wherein the tubular body (110) comprises a plastic material that is laid flat when there is no water in the tubular body (110). Device after Claim 2 further comprising at least one float (130) adapted to subsequently open the cross-section of the portions of the tubular body (110) before the portions are subsequently submerged in water (60). Device after Claim 3 wherein the at least one float (130) comprises a plastic tube or one or more balls. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tubular body (110) is adapted to be clamped and cut when the tubular body is outside of the water (60). Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the check valve (120) comprises at least one of the following components: a sealing ball or a sealing flap. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the flow in the tubular body is subject to flow resistance and the check valve is adapted to provide a valve resistance for the flow of water which is less than or equal to the flow resistance of the tubular body. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tubular body (110) comprises a polymeric material, in particular a polyethylene or a polyethene plastic material, the check valve (120) comprising a material sufficiently heavy to carry the tubular body into the body To draw water (60), wherein the water (60) is a lake or a water reservoir or is located in a well (50). A method for determining a distribution of depth-dependent water content using a device for taking a water sample according to any one of Claims 1 to 8th the method comprising: inserting and lowering (S110) the tubular body (110) into the water (60), whereby the tubular body (110) is continuously filled with water (60); Lifting (S 120) the tubular body (110) together with a water column from the water (60), the check valve (120) closing the tubular body (110); and removing a sample (S130) from the water column. Method according to Claim 9 wherein the sampling step (S130) further comprises: dividing the tubular body (110) into sections, each section identifying a sample of water (60) at a desired depth; and cutting the sections to separate the various water samples belonging to different depths in the water (60). Using a flat pipe to extract a groundwater sample.

Images