Portable Multi-Stage Water Sampling for Contamination Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Water sampling in the oil and gas industry faces challenges in maintaining the integrity of water samples during storage and transportation, as contaminants can dissolve and alter the ions and chemistry, masking true signals during laboratory analysis.
Innovation Solution
A portable multi-stage water sampling and treatment system with filters and a fluid pump that removes hydrocarbons, chemicals, and solids from water samples, ensuring they remain clean until laboratory testing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If water samples are stored and transported in conventional containers, then the samples can be collected and transported to laboratories, but contaminants dissolve and alter the ions and chemistry, masking true signals during analysis
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the filtration process into multiple stages with different filter types (hydrocarbon filter, chemical filter, solid particulate filter) arranged in sequence. Each filter segment targets specific contaminants, collectively providing comprehensive protection to the water sample without requiring a single complex filter system.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-stage filtration system acts as an intermediary between the contaminated environment and the water sample. The filters serve as mediating elements that remove harmful substances before they can contact and contaminate the sample, preserving the true ion and chemistry signals for accurate laboratory analysis.
2Device complexity
If manual piston filtration is used, then the system remains simple and portable, but the filtration speed and throughput are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The filtration system is segmented into multiple stages, allowing each filter to operate independently and simultaneously. This segmentation enables parallel processing of different contaminant types, increasing overall filtration throughput while maintaining the simplicity of individual manual piston operations for each filter stage.
3Reliability
If multiple filtration stages are added, then contaminant removal efficiency improves, but the device complexity and portability are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The filtration system employs a nested arrangement where multiple filter cartridges are housed within a single portable case. Each filter stage is contained within its own cartridge that fits into the larger system, allowing complex multi-stage filtration to be packaged in a compact, portable configuration that does not compromise mobility despite the increased functionality.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system preserves the original ions of water samples, preventing contamination and allowing accurate testing by maintaining sample purity during transport and storage.
Implementation Method 1
The first filter is configured to remove at least one of hydrocarbons or chemicals from the water sample
Implementation Method 2
The second filter is configured to remove at least one of hydrocarbons, chemicals, or solids from the water sample
Implementation Method 3
the third filter includes granular activated carbon configured to remove at least one of colors, organic matter, or odors from the water sample
Implementation Method 4
The piston is disposed within the first volume and is arranged to push, under an external force applied to the piston from outside the first filter, the fluid sample from the first volume, through the filter surface, to the second volume
Data Source
AI summary
A portable fluid treatment assembly includes a portable case and a multi-stage sample treatment assembly. The portable case includes a fluid inlet. The multi-stage sample treatment assembly is disposed at least partially inside the portable case and includes a first filter, a piston, a second filter, and a sample container. The first filter includes a chamber defining an inner volume and a partition with a filter surface that divides the inner volume into a first volume and a second volume. The piston is disposed within the first volume and pushes, under an external force applied to the piston, the fluid sample from the first volume, through the filter surface, to the second volume to filter the fluid sample. The second filter receives and further filters the fluid sample from the first filter. The sample container receives and stores the fluid sample from the second filter.