Stackable Water Quality Sampler with Multi-Membrane Receptacle
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional water quality sampling methods are limited as they can only detect one contaminant or chemical target at a time, which is inefficient for monitoring multiple pollutants in environmental monitoring, especially in offshore operations like trenching and dredging.
Innovation Solution
A water quality sampler with a membrane receptacle that accommodates multiple sample membranes, including hydrocarbon, organic, and metal sampling membranes, allowing for simultaneous detection of various pollutants, and is designed to be stacked for increased sampling capacity, using high-density polyethylene materials resistant to high temperature and saline water.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional sampling methods are used to detect one contaminant at a time, then the sampling device structure remains simple, but the monitoring efficiency and productivity are low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple different sample membranes (hydrocarbon, organic, metal, etc.) into a single sampler body, allowing simultaneous detection of multiple contaminant types. This merging of multiple sampling functions into one device directly improves monitoring efficiency without requiring separate samplers for each contaminant type.
Solution Approach 2:
The sampler body is designed as a universal platform that can accommodate various types of sample membranes for different contaminant detection. The standardized interface and cavity design allow the same sampler body to perform multiple sampling functions, enhancing productivity while controlling structural complexity through modular design.
2Loss of information
If multiple sample membranes are accommodated in a single sampler, then the sampling coverage and information obtained increase, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sampler is segmented into distinct cavities, each designed to hold a specific type of sample membrane. This segmentation allows for standardized manufacturing of individual components that can be assembled together, reducing overall manufacturing difficulty while maintaining comprehensive sampling coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple sample membranes are nested within the sampler body in separate cavities, with each membrane contained within its own designated space. This nested arrangement maximizes the use of internal volume while maintaining a compact external structure, facilitating easier manufacturing and assembly.
3Quantity of substance
If multiple samplers are stacked to increase sampling capacity, then the total sampling volume and detection capability increase, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple sampler units are stacked vertically with each sampler nested within the structure of the others, utilizing the protruding lip and stacking chamber design. This nesting approach increases sampling capacity by combining multiple sampling volumes while maintaining a compact vertical footprint, reducing horizontal space requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The stacking design transitions from horizontal arrangement to vertical stacking, utilizing the vertical dimension to increase sampling capacity. The protruding lip and stacking chamber enable vertical integration of multiple samplers, improving space utilization and reducing the device's horizontal footprint while maintaining or increasing total sampling volume.
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
Enables efficient, cumulative monitoring of multiple pollutants over time, improving compliance monitoring and assessment of water quality discharges from offshore facilities by allowing multiple samplers to be stacked, thereby increasing sampling efficiency and coverage.
Implementation Method 1
Passive sampling is an environmental monitoring technique that has a key role in water quality monitoring by measuring the concentration of a wide range of pollutants
Implementation Method 2
This technique provides accumulative concentration of chemicals over time
Data Source
AI summary
A water quality sampler includes a membrane receptacle and at least 7 sample membranes. The membrane receptacle comprises at least 7 membrane cavities disposed on a top surface of the membrane receptacle. Each membrane cavity is configured to hold a sample membrane and the sample membranes are each removably positioned within the membrane cavities and extend at least 1 cm out from the top surface of the membrane receptacle. A bottom of the membrane receptacle comprises a protruding lip that traces a bottom edge of the membrane receptacle in a downward direction, where the protruding lip encompasses a stacking chamber capable of receiving a top end of a second water quality sampler to allow stacking of multiple water quality samplers.