Subsurface Sensor Array for Real-Time Contamination Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for monitoring subsurface conditions, particularly in contaminated areas, are inefficient and costly, as they require manual sampling and analysis, which can take months and may overlook NAPLs, sorbed phases, and transient groundwater flow, leading to biased data.
Innovation Solution
A device and method utilizing a sensor array with temperature, water-level, and oxidation reduction potential sensors, connected to a data collector that transmits data wirelessly to a monitoring system for real-time analysis and visualization, reducing the need for manual sampling and providing continuous monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual sampling and laboratory analysis are used to monitor subsurface conditions, then measurement accuracy can be maintained, but the process takes several months and costs several thousand dollars
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical sampling operations with automated electronic sensors deployed in monitoring wells. Temperature sensors, pressure sensors, and other environmental sensors continuously measure subsurface conditions without requiring physical sample collection, laboratory processing, or manual analysis, thereby eliminating the months-long timeline while maintaining data accuracy through direct in-situ measurement
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring system enables self-service measurement by deploying autonomous sensors that automatically collect, process, and transmit environmental data without human intervention. The sensors continuously monitor temperature, pressure, and other parameters, storing and transmitting data via wireless communication, eliminating the need for repeated manual sampling and laboratory analysis cycles
2Ease of operation
If manual sampling from monitoring wells with large open intervals is performed, then sampling can be obtained, but the measurements become ignorant of NAPLs, sorbed phases, vapor phases, and contaminants in low permeability zones
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality measurement by deploying sensors at specific depths and locations within monitoring wells to capture localized subsurface conditions. Temperature sensors and pressure sensors are positioned to measure specific zones, providing detailed spatial information about temperature gradients, pressure variations, and contaminant distribution that would be missed by bulk sampling from open intervals
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses temperature and pressure sensors as intermediary measurements to indirectly detect the presence and behavior of NAPLs, sorbed phases, and vapor phases. By monitoring temperature variations and pressure changes, the system infers contaminant presence and movement without requiring direct physical contact with all contaminant phases, thereby detecting conditions that manual sampling would miss
3Productivity
If continuous automated monitoring with sensor arrays is deployed, then real-time data collection reduces time and cost, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the monitoring system into segmented, modular components including individual temperature sensors, pressure sensors, data loggers, and wireless communication modules that can be deployed independently in monitoring wells. Each sensor package functions as an independent unit, allowing the system to be scaled and configured based on specific monitoring needs without requiring complex integrated designs
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs universal sensor packages that can measure multiple parameters (temperature, pressure, and potentially other environmental conditions) using the same deployment infrastructure and data collection platform. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity by using standardized components rather than requiring separate specialized equipment for each measurement type
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
This solution enables real-time, continuous monitoring of subsurface conditions, reducing costs and time, and providing accurate data on contamination levels and remediation effectiveness, while minimizing data biases.
Implementation Method 1
temperature sensor
Implementation Method 2
temperature sensor
Implementation Method 3
water-level sensor
Implementation Method 4
oxidation reduction potential sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A subsurface monitoring system and method is provided that includes a sensor array and a monitoring system in communication with the array. The sensor array may include several sensors, such as subsurface temperature sensors, water-level sensors, and oxidation reduction potential sensors may be disposed in a vertical and/or horizontal fence through the subsurface of the monitored site. The sensor array may measure, collect, and analyze the subsurface conditions and provide the measurements to a monitoring system. The monitoring system may provide access the measurements via a user interface for analysis of the measurements. In addition, the monitoring system may process the measurements to generate one or more graphs of information for better understanding of the conditions of the subsurface of the monitored site.