Automated sampling system
Inventors
Elkin, Kyle R. • Bock, Randall G.
Assignees
Penn State Research Foundation • US Department of Agriculture USDA
Publication Number
US-9810708-B2
Publication Date
2017-11-07
Expiration Date
2035-11-05
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Abstract
The automated sampling system has a water tight case that encloses a testing instrument. In the preferred embodiment, the testing instrument is a field-portable ion chromatography instrument designed to test water samples. In operation, a controller directs a syringe pump to draw fluid from outside the system through a specialized filter with a continuous flow lower reservoir. When directed by the controller, the syringe pump then injects the sample water into a testing portion of the field-portable ion chromatography instrument.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an auto-sampling system for a testing instrument, preferably a field-portable ion chromatography instrument, enclosed within a watertight outer shell. The system includes a control unit and a syringe pump hydraulically connected to a sample inlet filter with a continuous flow unfiltered reservoir, a smaller filtered reservoir, and a filter element positioned between them. The system operates by retracting the syringe pump plunger to draw fluid from the unfiltered reservoir into the filtered reservoir, through an inline digester and a check valve, and subsequently injecting the sample into the testing portion of the instrument when the plunger is advanced.
The problem addressed by the invention is that traditional chromatography sampling for fluid quality monitoring is labor-intensive, expensive, and yields uneven data. The common process involves manual extraction of fluid samples by technicians and lab analysis, which is slow, costly, and susceptible to human error. Existing automated systems were insufficient, and the inventor has developed a method and apparatus that automatically draw samples into a portable ion chromatography instrument and prepare them for testing with greater consistency and reduced labor.
Claims Coverage
The patent includes two independent apparatus claims and one independent method claim. The inventive features involve the structural design of the auto-sampling system, specific configurations of the sample inlet filter and inline digester, and the method of sample fluid extraction and injection within a field-portable ion chromatography instrument.
Auto-sampling system with continuous flow inlet filter and syringe pump control
The system comprises a watertight outer shell enclosing a control unit and a syringe pump hydraulically connected to a sample inlet filter featuring an unfiltered continuous flow reservoir and a smaller filtered reservoir separated by a filter element. The syringe pump operation is directed by the control unit to retract the plunger, causing sample fluid movement from the unfiltered to filtered reservoir, through an inline digester and check valve, and then to advance the plunger to inject the sample into the instrument's testing portion.
Field-portable ion chromatography auto-sampling system configuration
The system structure includes a sample inlet filter with continuous flow unfiltered and smaller filtered reservoirs separated by a filter element, a syringe pump with plunger, and an inline digester positioned in series between the filter and syringe pump. The syringe pump aspirates sample fluid into a sample loop through a check valve upon plunger retraction and injects the sample back through the check valve into a testing portion of the chromatography system upon plunger advancement.
Method for drawing sample fluid into a field-portable ion chromatography instrument
The method comprises providing the instrument with the described sample inlet filter, syringe pump, and inline digester. The plunger of the syringe pump is retracted to cause sample fluid movement from the unfiltered to filtered reservoir through the inline digester and into a sample loop. The plunger is then advanced to inject the sample fluid into a testing portion of the instrument, with the instrument capable of floating or being immersed in the sample fluid.
These inventive features collectively define an automatic fluid sampling system integrated within a portable ion chromatography instrument that enables continuous fluid testing with precise sample preparation steps managed by a control unit, an innovative inlet filter design, and the use of an inline digester and check valve arrangement for accurate sample handling and injection.
Stated Advantages
Reduces labor intensity and cost compared to manual sample extraction by technicians.
Provides consistent and reliable fluid sample testing through automation, minimizing human error.
Enables continuous and real-time fluid sampling and testing while floating in or immersed in the fluid body.
Minimizes carry-over volume between samples due to the continuous flow reservoir design in the inlet filter.
Permits remote operation and control via a wireless connection for flexibility in sampling timing and process.
Documented Applications
Continuous testing of water samples in a body of fluid where the field-portable ion chromatography instrument is placed floating or immersed.
Field monitoring of nutrient values, such as total phosphorus in water, by automated sample collection and digestion.
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