System for collecting liquid samples from a distance

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11933698-B2
Application number	US-202117368056-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 6, 2021
Priority date	Feb 27, 2014
Publication date	Mar 19, 2024
Grant date	Mar 19, 2024

Abstract

A system includes an analysis system at a first location and one or more remote sampling systems at a second location remote from the first location. A sampling system can be configured to receive a remote liquid sample. The system also includes a sample transfer line configured to transport gas from the second location to the first location. The sample transfer line is configured to selectively couple with a remote sampling for supplying a continuous liquid sample segment to the sample transfer line. The system can further include a sample receiving line at the first location. The sample receiving line is configured to selectively couple with the sample transfer line and the analysis system to receive the continuous liquid sample segment and supply the sample to an analysis device.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A system, comprising:
a sample receiving line configured for positioning at a first location;
a remote sampling system configured for positioning at a second location remote from the first location, the remote sampling system including a remote sampling device and a sample preparation device, the remote sampling system configured to receive a liquid sample and prepare the liquid sample for analysis, the sample preparation device configured to at least one of dilute the liquid sample, add internal standard to the liquid sample, or pre-concentrate the liquid sample to yield a prepared liquid sample;
a sample transfer line configured to be fluidically coupled between the first location and the second location, the sample transfer line configured for coupling with a gas supply that is configured to provide a pressurized gas stream to transport and thereby drive the prepared liquid sample within the sample transfer line from the second location to the first location;
a detector system configured to monitor the sample receiving line to detect the presence or absence of the prepared liquid sample in the sample receiving line, the detector system including a first detector and a second detector, wherein the first detector is configured to detect that the prepared liquid sample entered the sample receiving line and the second detector is configured to detect that the sample receiving line is substantially filled via the prepared liquid sample; and
a valve configured to, responsive to detection of the presence of a liquid sample segment of the prepared liquid sample in the sample receiving line, fluidically couple the sample receiving line with an analysis system to supply the liquid sample segment of the prepared liquid sample to the analysis system, wherein the liquid sample segment contains a portion of the prepared liquid sample.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the detector system includes one or more of an optical sensor, a conductivity sensor, and a pressure sensor.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the remote sampling system is configured to receive the liquid sample via operation of a pump included in the remote sampling device.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the sample transfer line is at least five meters in length.

5. The system of claim 1 , further comprising the analysis system, wherein the analysis system includes an inductively coupled plasma (ICP) spectrometer.

Assignees

• Elemental Scientific Inc

Inventors

• Diaz David
• Hein Jonathan
• Uhlmeyer Kyle W
• Wiederin Daniel R
• Yost Tyler
• Wiederin Kevin

Classifications

• G01N2001/002

  Devices for supplying or distributing samples to an analysing apparatus · CPC title

• G01N1/14 Primary

  Suction devices, e.g. pumps; Ejector devices · CPC title

• G01N1/10 Primary

  in the liquid or fluent state {(burettes, pipettes B01L3/02; sampling of ground water E02D1/06; metering by volume of fluids or fluent solid material G01F11/00, G01F13/00)} · CPC title

• G01N35/00732

  Identification of carriers, materials or components in automatic analysers · CPC title

• G01N35/00871

  Communications between instruments or with remote terminals · CPC title