Freshwater sources, both underground (groundwater) and at the surface, can, unfortunately, become contaminated, by both point and non-point source pollutants, almost anywhere, but are quite often contaminated at active energy producing and testing facilities throughout the world. The United States of America's Department of Energy (DOE), for example, has the challenge of containing and remediating contaminated groundwater and surface water at over 3,650 active sites. These sites are dispersed over eleven states and have different geologies, contamination characteristics, and stages of treatment, all which are in need of constant monitoring of the water resources for contaminants.
The contaminated water resources can include a wide range of contaminants including heavy metals, radioactive materials, and a variety of organics. Many contaminated water resources (e.g., DOE's Savannah River Site), however, have Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) contaminants, specifically from the chlorinated ethylene family. Trichloroethylene (TCE) is often the most common groundwater contaminant. TCE and perchloroethylene (PCE) can form Dense Non-Aqueous Phase Liquid (DNAPL) pools deep in the ground that are difficult and expensive to treat and fully remove. DNAPLs present risk to humans and are reported to cause neurological disorders, immune system disorders, birth defects, liver toxicity, and cancer. Both TCE and PCE eventually degenerate into breakdown products (cis-dichlorethylene (DCE), trans-DCE and vinyl chloride) that also cause health concerns.
The Maximum Contaminant Level established by Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for TCE is five parts per billion (ppb), yet some contaminated sites have reported levels of TCE exceeding one part per million (ppm). The TCE problem is significant, as anywhere from nine to thirty-four percent of the US drinking water supply is reported to be contaminated by TCE. Such findings show that it is necessary to continue the careful and effective surveillance of TCE and other toxic compounds at contaminated and uncontaminated water recourses.
However, the continuous monitoring of such water resources is very costly. Sampling methodology and frequency and laboratory expenditures compose the main elements of monitoring costs. For example, current DOE methodology has trained personnel traveling to each contaminated site, “purging” each well to be analyzed, and taking a sample from that well or surface water location. Each sample is labeled, tracked, and transported to a laboratory for analysis. Results are typically available in a week. Sampling cost is especially affected by the method used to purge the well prior to collecting the sample. Costs vary widely, from $349 to $8,760 per well per sample, according to one analysis. In an extreme case, the cost of purging a single well was reported to have exceeded $8,000. In 2004, the Savannah River Site reported that its costs ranged between $100 and $1,000 per sample across approximately 4,000 sampling locations.
Sampling frequency is another factor significantly impacting the cost of groundwater monitoring. Frequencies vary from every fourteen days to every four years, depending on the treatment stage and the regulatory requirements set for specific health threats. Labor and “truck roll” costs are typically $500 per sample. Laboratory costs are typically a few hundred dollars or higher per sample.
Furthermore, approximately ten percent of DOE sites are estimated to be located in complex geologies, with DNAPL pools that are extremely difficult to precisely locate and remove. As a result, these sites must be monitored for years after the end of treatment, even though chemical or biological decomposition methods may have been used for several years. Typically, monitoring wells are placed throughout a complex site to allow for tracking of the plume. In summary, traditional approaches force DOE and other entities responsible for remediation efforts into an expensive, “one size fits all” regimen, requiring incremental costs for each measurement.
Therefore, there is a need for a field-ready monitoring technology that can make accurate, automated, portable, and near-real-time measurements, thus dramatically reducing cost while enabling monitoring entities to better assess and reduce environmental risk.
The present invention provides a ground and surface water monitoring system. The ground and surface water monitoring system includes a sensor that is configured to detect the entry of contaminants, which can include, but are not limited to, aromatic hydrocarbons (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene) and chlorinated ethylenes (TCE, PCE, cis-DCE, trans-DCE, and vinyl chloride), into a water supply. In an aspect, the sensor is configured to detect a change in the total contaminant level. In another aspect, the sensor is configured to detect the composition of a contaminant mixture, as well as the change of the composition of the contaminant mixture.
In an aspect, the sensor is configured to provide a concentration level of a known contaminant, or single unknown contaminant, found in a water source. In another aspect, the sensor is configured to identify and quantify compounds in a random mixture of contaminants.
In an aspect, the ground and surface water monitoring system is configured to be fully automated. In an aspect, the ground and surface water monitoring system is configured to continually monitor the water resources. In another aspect, the ground and surface water monitoring system is ruggedly configured to work reliably and robustly in the field.
These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention.
Both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed. The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute part of this specification, illustrate several embodiments of the invention, and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention.
Before the present methods and systems are disclosed and described, it is to be understood that the methods and systems are not limited to specific synthetic methods, specific components, or to particular compositions. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting.
As used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” one particular value, and/or to “about” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the other endpoint.
“Optional” or “optionally” means that the subsequently described event or circumstance may or may not occur, and that the description includes instances where said event or circumstance occurs and instances where it does not.
Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the word “comprise” and variations of the word, such as “comprising” and “comprises,” means “including but not limited to,” and is not intended to exclude, for example, other additives, components, integers or steps. “Exemplary” means “an example of” and is not intended to convey an indication of a preferred or ideal embodiment. “Such as” is not used in a restrictive sense, but for explanatory purposes.
Disclosed are components that can be used to perform the disclosed methods and systems. These and other components are disclosed herein, and it is understood that when combinations, subsets, interactions, groups, etc. of these components are disclosed that while specific reference of each various individual and collective combinations and permutation of these may not be explicitly disclosed, each is specifically contemplated and described herein, for all methods and systems. This applies to all aspects of this application including, but not limited to, steps in disclosed methods. Thus, if there are a variety of additional steps that can be performed it is understood that each of these additional steps can be performed with any specific embodiment or combination of embodiments of the disclosed methods.
As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, the methods and systems may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment, or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects. Furthermore, the methods and systems may take the form of a computer program product on a computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable program instructions (e.g., computer software) embodied in the storage medium. Any suitable computer-readable storage medium may be utilized including hard disks, CD-ROMs, optical storage devices, or magnetic storage devices.
Embodiments of the methods and systems are described below with reference to block diagrams and flowchart illustrations of methods, systems, apparatuses and computer program products. It will be understood that each block of the block diagrams and flowchart illustrations, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and flowchart illustrations, respectively, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions may be loaded onto a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus create a means for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart block or blocks.
These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce an article of manufacture including computer readable instructions for implementing the function specified in the flowchart block or blocks. The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer-implemented process such that the instructions that execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide steps for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart block or blocks.
Accordingly, blocks of the block diagrams and flowchart illustrations support combinations of means for performing the specified functions, combinations of steps for performing the specified functions, and program instruction means for performing the specified functions. It will also be understood that each block of the block diagrams and flowchart illustrations, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and flowchart illustrations, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based computer systems that perform the specified functions or steps, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.
Referring to
In an aspect, the ground and surface water monitoring system 10 is configured to be capable of being located near a monitoring wellhead 12, and of receiving a continuous flow of water from that wellhead 12. In an aspect, the ground and surface water monitoring system 10 includes a plumbing system 14 to deliver the monitored water to the real-time sensor 20. In an aspect, the ground and surface water monitoring system 10 is further configured to be employed at remote, unattended locations. In such aspects, the ground and surface water monitoring system 10 can be configured for wireless communications. For example, the wireless communications can include, but are not limited to, cellular communication means (CDMA, GPRS, LTE, etc.), Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, satellite, and other types of wireless connectivity. In aspects in which the ground and surface water monitoring system 10 is not needed to be used in remote locations (e.g., industrial settings), wired connectivity means (LAN, T1, intranet, etc.) can also be used.
In an aspect, the ground and surface water monitoring system 10 is configured for use at a wellhead/water source 12. In such an aspect, the ground and surface water monitoring system 10 can include a plumbing system 14 to deliver the monitored water to the sensor 20. The plumbing system 14 can include tubing 16 that reaches the water source 12, and may be selected depending on the types of contamination believed to be present. Such tubing 16 can include, but is not limited to, PVC, Tygon, PTFE, polyethylene, and the like. In an aspect, the tubing 16 can be of a flexible nature in order to avoid any potential obstructions between the sensor 20 and the water source 12. Various fastening means, including, but not limited to, mounting brackets, may be used to secure the components of the plumbing system 14, including the tubing 16, in place at the monitoring site. While the sensor 20 can be mounted at various locations at the wellhead/waters source 12, it is preferable that it is placed at a position of easy access for routine maintenance, if needed. The ground and surface water monitoring system 10 is not limited to the just described configuration.
In an aspect, as shown in
As discussed above, in an aspect, the contaminant sensor 20 can include a user interface 40. In such an aspect, the user interface 40 comprises a single, large, backlit color touchscreen on which all user controls and displays reside. While the preferred embodiment of the present invention uses an interactive touchscreen 40, the sensor 20 can include other types of user interfaces 40, including, but not limited to, a combination keypad and display screen, and the like. In some embodiments of the present invention, it may be desirable for the sensor 20 not to have any direct human-accessible interface, limiting the control of the sensor 20 to authorized individuals remotely through a wireless or wired connection, discussed in more detail below. Specific controls and displays, and their functions, are discussed in more detail below. While the dimensions of the user interface 40 and the overall housing 30 can be of various combinations, in one embodiment the touchscreen 40 is approximately 6″×4.5″ and the housing 30 is 7″×9″ in area, and 3″ deep.
As shown in
The fluidic connections include an intake (“IN”) port 52a and an exhaust (“OUT”) port 52b, which connect to components of the plumbing system 14, which include the filter, valves, the flowcell which houses the waveguide, and, possibly, a pump, discussed in more detail below. In an aspect, the fluidic connections 52a, 52b can connect to an intake hose and an exhaust hose, respectively, that are connected to the plumbing system 14. These ports 52a, 52b may include nipples that connect to the respective hoses 16. In an aspect, it is preferable that the nipples and hoses are of different sizes to preclude cross connection. Further, it is preferable that the hoses 16 and all other parts exposed to the water on the inlet side be made of materials that do not leach off or absorb contaminants. This material, as discussed above, can include, but is not limited to, PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene), polyethylene, or Tygon tubing.
The communication connector 54, labeled “CTRL” in
According to an aspect, the power connector 56 is configured to accept a plug-in power cable. The power cable can be a standard 110 VAC, 3-prong cable approved for use in the United States. Other power cables suitable for other countries may be utilized as well. In some embodiments of the present invention, the power cable is hardwired into the sensor 20, with the appropriate strain relief. Power can be supplied to the sensor 20 from an on-site source, or from an electrical grid. In another aspect, the power connector 56 can be configured to be connected to a removable power source, such as a battery or an external adapter. In another aspect, the sensor 20 can have an internal power source. The internal power source can include, but is not limited to, a rechargeable battery, a replaceable battery, or some other means. For example, in the case of a rechargeable battery, a solar panel assembly can be used in connection with the rechargeable battery.
In an aspect, the sensor 20 can include auxiliary data ports 58, which enable additional access to sensor data and software. The auxiliary ports 58 can be configured to be compatible with standard electrical interfaces, including USB, Ethernet, Firewire, and the like. Some embodiments of the sensor 20 can include a dedicated memory stick configured to be removably coupled to the auxiliary data port. Such a memory stick can be used in a backup system to retain collected information. For example, in instances when the communication means of the sensor 20 becomes unavailable or broken, the data can still be collected and available by using a memory stick. The memory stick can be configured to connect to the contaminant sensor 20 to download data.
The auxiliary data port 58 is also configured to provide the interface for calibration and diagnostics, as well as the uploading of new software. The auxiliary data port 58 can be provided as a separate output from the communications connector 52 to allow a user to connect to the sensor 20 and download historical or real-time data without interrupting the output signal to the communications connector 52.
As discussed above, the sensor 20 includes hardware and software components. In an aspect, the hardware components of the sensor 20 can include three interdependent subsystems organized by hardware function—not by physical location or implementation. As shown in
By having a filtered path 102 and a non-filtered path 106, the sensor 20, and more specifically the CSM 200, can self-calibrate on a regular basis to reduce sensor drift and maintain accuracy. For each sense cycle, the filtered water passed through the filtered path 102/104 is first measured to establish a zero-contaminant baseline, in order to cancel waveguide drift. The filtration system may also adjust the pH levels of the water being monitored, as well as the temperature. The filtered water path 102/104 and the unfiltered water path 106 should be balanced in terms of the pressure drop through the path, temperature, pH levels, and the travel time for water through the respective path 102, 106. A pump 110, which can be optional if the system 10 is gravity fed, and whose location in the stream can change (i.e., the pump 110 can be external to the sensor 20 and a part of an external plumbing system 14, or the pump 110 can be a separate component within the sensor 20), either pushes or pulls the water from the water source through the sensor 20, including to the CSM 200, for contaminant level measurement and composition. The water exits the CSM 200 and passes through the Water Exhaust Port 52b. In an alternative embodiment, the sensor 20 contains two valves, and water is continually pumped through both paths so that there is no latency between the environmental characteristics of the water in each path. Water from the path not being pulled or pushed through the CSM 200 bypasses the CSM 200 and is coupled with water coming out of the CSM 200 to be exhausted through the Water Exhaust Port 52b.
In an aspect, while it is important for the inlet and exhaust ports 52a, 52b to remain unblocked, the ground and surface water monitoring system 10, and more specifically the WCS 100, can be configured to operate without causing damage to itself if either port 52a, 52b becomes blocked for an indefinite period of time. In an aspect, a particle filter can be placed in proximity to the intake port 52a. In another aspect, a pressure sensor can be used to measure the pressure occurring along the different water paths. If the pressure sensor finds that a path is experiencing pressure outside of allowable ranges, the sensor can be configured to shut off the pump 110 directly or through reporting the results to the system controller 300, which can be configured to control the operation of the pump 110. Further, the filter 104 does not have unlimited capacity and should be replaced as a part of normal maintenance.
Water, labeled as “water flow” at the top of
In an aspect, as illustrated in
In an aspect, the sense channel(s) 234 is/are coated with a chemically sensitive polymer, whose index of refraction changes in proportion to contaminant adsorption, causing the speed of light in that polymer to change correspondingly. A portion of the light (its evanescent field, as shown in
For example, the polymers that can be used to identify the type(s), concentration, and composition of contaminants in the water include, but are not limited to, PVP, PVA, PHEM, PVB, PTBrS, PVF, PEI, PVPy, PHPC, PBIBMA, TAF, PDMA, PMOS, PSSA, PVPK, and PIB. The types of contaminants that can be identified include, but are not limited to, benzene, toluene, other VOCs including those from the chlorinated ethylene family (e.g., TCE, PCE, vinyl chloride, cis- and trans-DCE), xylene, ammonia, hexane, chloramine, acetone, methylene chloride, chlorine, methanol, chloroform, hypochlorous acid, HCl, Freon, methane, ethane, ethylene, acetylene, nicotine, nitrates, phosphates, DMAC, DMMP, methyl salicylate, and the like. Further, the thickness of the polymer can vary as well, generally from less than a thousand to several thousand angstroms, depending on the response time, reverse time, and interferent response or rejection desired.
In other embodiments of the invention, other coatings and thicknesses can be used. The speed of light in each channel 234, 236 will be different to a degree proportional to the amount of contaminants in the air sample. In the preferred embodiment, both channels 234, 236 are also covered with a protective coating that is permeable to the contaminants. The protective coating can include, but is not limited to, polytetrafluroethlylene.
In an aspect, as the sense channel(s) 234 and reference channel 236 are exposed to the contaminated water (i.e., the fluid that has gone through the unfiltered path 106, such path potentially containing a “neutral” filter which does not affect the chemical composition of the fluid but does balance pressure and flow through the unfiltered path with that of the filtered path 102), contaminants are adsorbed in the sense channel 234 in proportion to the amount of the exposure (i.e., the more time exposed to contaminant, the more contaminant is adsorbed). Once the waveguide 230 has been exposed for the desired time, the waveguide 230 can then be exposed to the filtered fluid (i.e., the fluid that has gone through the filtered path 102 and filter 104). Light from the laser 240 is coupled into the waveguide 230 and a portion of this coupled light (its evanescent field, as shown in
After exiting the right-hand side of each channel 234, 236, both light beams are again refracted and combined by the output grating, projecting an interference pattern onto the surface of the two-dimensional camera 250 or other form of optical detector. If contaminants are present, the sense and reference light waves will travel at different speeds, and one will arrive at the output grating 238 before the other, causing a phase shift in the interference pattern on the camera chip 250 that is proportional to contaminant concentration. The EC 300 analyzes the image from the camera chip 250 and measures the phase shift (the movement in the interference pattern over time as the contaminant concentration changes) to determine the concentration and identification of contaminants using calibration coefficients associated with the sensor 20. These coefficients may be updated through various means as well.
While
In an aspect, the EC 300 is resident in the sensor housing 30 and is not accessible to a user except functionally via the user interface 40 or external connectors 50. The EC 300 includes the power control system of the sensor 20. It is preferred that the power control system include a current monitor to detect off-nominal conditions, discussed in more detail below. In an aspect, the EC 300 includes on-board memory. In an exemplary aspect, the memory of the EC 300 is configured to be of a nonvolatile type and provide enough on-board memory to store an extended history of readings, consistent with application requirements, at the shortest reading interval, which can be set by the user. In another aspect, the memory is erased on a first-in, first-out basis when the memory becomes full. In an aspect, the memory of the EC 300 is configured to include user-defined identification data and to maintain a system log file. In an exemplary aspect, the memory of the MC 300 is configured to have 16 k of user-defined identification data and at least 512 k to maintain a system log file. In an aspect, the EC 300 includes a real time clock (RTC) which continues to track time even when the system is powered down. It is preferred that the RTC shall maintain an accuracy of better than ±6 hours per year for up to three years.
The EC 300 is configured to carry out the following functions: control the WCS 100; control the CSM 200; process images received from the CSM 200, including image cropping; determine an appropriate measurement zone; determine the interference pattern period within that zone; interpret interference pattern data and correlate with calibration data to obtain an analyte concentration reading; control the Touchscreen Display 30; interface with the CTRL and auxiliary outputs 54, 58; interface with the user via the Touchscreen 40 to set options and conduct maintenance; manage power input to the system 10; detect system faults and respond to them; save contaminant concentration data to a time-stamped data file; save significant events to a System Log; and detect and react to exceptions and errors. These functions can be implemented and executed using various coding languages or through various application layer software, including, but not limited to, Labview software from National Instruments. The EC 300 function may be distributed across multiple processors or controller integrated circuits, located on one or more printed circuit boards.
In an aspect, the EC 300 is further configured to control the operation of the WCS 100 and the CSM 200. In an aspect, the EC 300 is configured to control various functions of the CSM 200. In an aspect, the EC 300 can be configured to determine the contaminant concentration(s) as well. The EC 300 is configured to use applications, including a contaminant detection application discussed in detail below, to determine the contaminant(s) concentration. In addition, the EC 300 can be configured to process the images from the CSM 200, including image cropping, to determine the contaminant concentration. In an aspect, the EC 300 can determine the contaminant(s) concentration through a method 600 as illustrated in
The EC 300 can determine the appropriate measurement zone for the images collected by the camera 250 in various ways (step 610). In an aspect, the EC 300 can determine the appropriate measurement zone by evaluating the relative high and low intensities of the images captured by the camera 250. Other known methods can be used to determine the appropriate measure zone.
Once the measurement zone has been determined, the EC 300 can determine the interference pattern period within the measurement zone (step 620). In an aspect, the EC 300 can utilize image processing algorithms to determine the interference pattern period. In an exemplary aspect, the EC 300 can utilize a spatial Fourier transform algorithm. In such an aspect, the spatial Fourier transform algorithm is used to get the spatial frequency components of the interference pattern, and more specifically to find the dominant spatial frequency component. In other aspects, other algorithms or methods can be used to determine the interference pattern frequency and components other than the dominant frequency component of the interference pattern can be used to determine concentration.
Once the interference pattern's dominant spatial frequency has been determined (step 620), the EC 300 can find the phase shift that has occurred from the interference pattern period (step 630). In an exemplary aspect, the EC 300 can use the dominant spatial frequency component that was determined by the Fourier transform algorithm. In such an aspect, a phase demodulation can use the dominant frequency component to measure the phase shift. In other aspects, other processes can be used to determine the phase shift measurement.
Upon determining the phase shift measurement data, the EC 300 can then correlate the phase shift data with calibration data to obtain an analyte concentration reading (step 640). In an exemplary aspect, the phase shift data can be multiplied by a calibration coefficient to determine the ammonia concentration reading.
Once the analyte concentration reading is determined, the EC 300 can process the concentration reading to eliminate noise and other potential faulty data (step 650). This can be done by using weighted averaging algorithms or other signal processing techniques. In addition, other environmental conditions can be considered as well to eliminate faulty data. For example, the analyte concentration reading can be adjusted according to the current temperature or flow rate of the water. The analyte concentration reading can then be saved to the memory of the sensor 20 and/or displayed by the user interface 40.
AS discussed above, the EC 300 controls the operation of the monitoring system 10. The EC 300 is configured to provide simple operations for a user. As such, in the preferred embodiments of the system 10, the contaminant sensor 20 has a limited number of modes: a measurement mode, a standby mode, a system error mode, a maintenance mode, and a calibration and diagnostic mode. While it is preferred that the contaminant sensor 20 be limited to these five modes, other embodiments may include more optional modes, different modes, or fewer modes.
The screen illustrations in this section are provided to give an overview of each screen's contents. They are not meant to suggest specific layout or artwork for the screen. The screens shown are meant to correspond to the LCD Touchscreen area shown in
When in the measurement mode, the contaminant sensor continuously measures, displays, and records contaminant levels, presence, and compositions according to system presets. As shown in
In addition to the measurement status indicator, the display includes a last measurement numerical indicator, a data/time display, and the filter capacity display. The numerical indicator indicates the last contaminant level reading taken. In Standby mode, this indicator reads “--.-”. Further, it is preferable that the numerical indicator display the amount with 0.1 ppm precision. The date/time display shows the present date and time, with minute precision, and is user adjustable in the preferred embodiment.
Also in the preferred embodiment, the date/time display adjusts for daylight savings time (US and Europe) and leap years. Lastly, the filter capacity display indicates the status, present capacity, or remaining life of the contaminant filter. In the preferred embodiment, the processor keeps track of the total amount of contaminants to which the filter has been exposed, as well as the time of exposure, and calculates remaining filter life. The numerical indicator is green for high capacity, transitions to yellow at a lower value, and then to red at a still lower value. When the filter capacity is at zero, the contaminant sensor will no longer take readings, and displays a “change filter” message. The default threshold values for the color changes can be changed based upon the user's preference. In the preferred embodiment, the number is automatically reset to its maximum each time the user goes through Maintenance mode. In some embodiments of the present invention, the filter capacity display will notify the user when a new filter has been installed improperly.
Referring to
In an aspect, the Start/Pause Measurement button toggles between ‘Start’ and ‘Pause’ measurement. When pushed from Standby mode, it places the system in Measurement mode. When pushed from Measurement mode, it places the system in Standby mode. The Perform Maintenance button launches Maintenance mode, described in more detail below. The Set Options button opens a lower level of menus and keypad displays that allow the user to change system options. The Return to Display button returns to the graphical display of historical measured contaminant levels, as shown in
As discussed above, the Graphical Display is initiated from the “Return to Display” button on the Main Menu.
The Graphical Display shows historical contaminant readings. In Measurement Mode, it updates in real time. In Standby Mode, it shows the most recent readings. The ‘x’ axis is time; ‘y’ axis is contaminant level in ppm (parts-per-million) or ppb (parts-per-billion). Both axes are user-adjustable and can auto-scale, as necessary and as desired, to accommodate the data. Yellow and red lines indicate the user-adjusted “Caution” and “Warning” thresholds, respectively. Date range limits on the display can be set by the user.
In an aspect, the parameters are displayed as a series of points connected by straight lines, during periods where the contaminant sensor 20 was in Measurement Mode. If the unit was placed in Standby Mode at any point during the time interval displayed, values during those durations are not displayed on the Display, appearing as gaps in the line. While
In an aspect, the system 10 enters Measurement mode: (a) when “Start Measurement” is selected from the Main Menu; or (b) when the system 10 returns from System Error Mode, if Measurement Mode was the last known mode.
In Measurement Mode, the display 40 illustrates the Graphical Display as in
When the Measurement Mode is started (1000), the graphical display is changed (1001) to show something similar to that presented in
The contaminant sensor enters Standby Mode when: (a) the system is powered up; (b) the user selects “Pause Measurement” from the Main Menu, or; (c) the system recovers from a System Error and the last state before the error was Standby Mode.
In Standby mode, the system 10 is configured as follows: Valve set to “Sense” (unfiltered) input, to minimize flow through the contaminant filter; Pump off; CSM laser and camera chip off; the CTRL output holds a ‘no data’ reading.
The contaminant sensor 20 enters System Error mode when it encounters certain error conditions. In some embodiments of the present invention, the System Error Mode is identical to Standby Mode, except that it is initiated by certain System Errors that require measurements to stop in order to prevent possible damage to the contaminant sensor or the reporting of ‘junk’ data. In System Error Mode, the Status Indicator flashes red and reads “SYSTEM ERROR”.
The contaminant sensor 20 generally exits System Error Mode, and returns to the last saved mode, when the error condition is corrected, either automatically or by user action. The System Log records time and date for entry into, and exit from, System Error mode.
Maintenance mode places the system 10 in a safe state and guides the user through maintenance actions. Maintenance on the ground and surface water monitoring system 10 is intended to be carried out on a prescribed regular basis, but can be performed any time the user desires.
The ground and surface water monitoring system may incorporate a maintenance countdown, which alerts the user to when the system needs regularly scheduled maintenance. In addition to keeping a ‘maintenance countdown’, the ground and surface water monitoring system may keep a separate ‘Replacement Countdown’, and shall alert the user via a Touchscreen text message when a replacement contaminant sensor is due.
Calibration and Diagnostic mode facilitates calibrating the unit and performing certain diagnostics. The user initiates Calibration and Diagnostic mode by connecting a computer to the USB port and running a Calibration & Diagnostic application from the computer. The application calibrates the chemical sensor by exposing the contaminant sensor to a test fixture containing known levels of contaminants mixed with the water/fluid, as verified by a reliable, high-precision reference sensor. The software application may be configured to guide the operator through the calibration steps, and generate appropriate calibration coefficients, based on formulas and/or lookup tables created during product development. Calibration coefficients are stored locally on the contaminant sensor, as well as in a global database that references calibration coefficients to device serial number and date. Calibration coefficients are preferred to remain valid for at least three years, with no updates.
The calibration application will also load identifying data into the contaminant sensor's local memory, as well as the global database. Identifying data includes device hardware revision, firmware revision, serial number, date of manufacture, CSM serial number, and Waveguide Serial Number, with space reserved for user-defined data. Other identifying data may be included as well.
The “Cal & Diagnostic” application also has the ability to retrieve, store, and display real-time diagnostic data from the contaminant sensor, to assist in troubleshooting and understanding system behavior. Parameters may include, but are not limited to, pump current draw, total current draw, CSM current draw, CRC scan results, measurement history, system log, raw image data, and manual control of various subsystems.
Selecting “Set Options” from the Main Menu opens a new menu with a number of options available to the user. These include “Caution” and/or “Warning” thresholds whose levels, within certain application-specific ranges, can be adjusted by the user.
As discussed above, the ground and surface water monitoring system may include a USB memory stick containing a simple application to be installed on a computer for downloading and displaying data from the contaminant sensor. An installation program may guide the user through the process. To download data from the contaminant sensor, the user connects the memory stick to the sensor's USB port, waits for a “data download complete” message on the touchscreen, then removes the memory stick and connects it to the computer. Connection and data download can take place in any contaminant sensor mode, without interrupting the contaminant sensor measurements or other functions. A simple interface will allow the user to: view date ranges available for download; select a date range and download the data for import to a program such as Microsoft Excel or other spreadsheet applications; display the data graphically for a selected date range; and/or download a copy of the System Log.
If the computer is connected to the Internet, the application will, with user's permission, connect to a designated website and check for available firmware upgrades. If one is available, the application will download and install it to the memory stick. When the memory stick is inserted into the contaminant sensor again, it will upgrade the system software. If the contaminant sensor is in Measurement mode, the application will complete the present measurement and place the system in Standby mode during upgrade, then automatically return the system to Measurement mode. Sensor software may also be upgraded directly if the sensor is connected to the Internet.
The EC 300 of the contaminant sensor maintains a System Log for historical and diagnostic purposes according to one embodiment of the present invention. The System log shall be available for download, and is viewable from the Options screen. It shall contain time-stamped records of all significant system events. The timestamp shall be independent of the user's clock setting. Examples of ‘significant system events’ are: Maintenance start/stop times; System Errors; Start/Stop Measurement Mode; User Data Downloads; Options Changes by User; and Power-ups.
The control firmware of the EC 300 of the contaminant sensor is configured to handle exceptions and off-normal events during its operation. These events will not cause system instability, hardware damage, or an unsafe situation. Exceptions are normally handled by error messaging prompting the user to take action.
In other embodiments of the present invention, the location and association of the components of the ground and surface water monitoring system may vary from what is described above. For example, in one embodiment of the present invention, the various pumps, valves, and hoses can be exposed, or be contained within the housing of the sensor.
The present methods and systems can be operational with numerous other general purpose or special purpose computing system environments or configurations. Examples of well-known computing systems, environments, and/or configurations that can be suitable for use with the systems and methods comprise, but are not limited to, personal computers, server computers, laptop devices, and multiprocessor systems. Additional examples comprise set top boxes, programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, distributed computing environments that comprise any of the above systems or devices, and the like.
The processing of the disclosed methods and systems can be performed by software components. The disclosed systems and methods can be described in the general context of computer-executable instructions, such as program modules, being executed by one or more computers or other devices. Generally, program modules comprise computer code, routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc., that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. The disclosed methods can also be practiced in grid-based and distributed computing environments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are linked through a communications network. In a distributed computing environment, program modules can be located in both local and remote computer storage media including memory storage devices.
Further, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the systems and methods disclosed herein can be implemented via the electronic controller in the form of a computer 1401 as illustrated in
The system bus 1413 represents one or more of several possible types of bus structures, including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, an accelerated graphics port, and a processor or local bus using any of a variety of bus architectures. By way of example, such architectures can comprise an Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus, a Micro Channel Architecture (MCA) bus, an Enhanced ISA (EISA) bus, a Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) local bus, an Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP) bus, and a Peripheral Component Interconnects (PCI), a PCI-Express bus, a Personal Computer Memory Card Industry Association (PCMCIA), Universal Serial Bus (USB) and the like. The bus 1413, and all buses specified in this description can also be implemented over a wired or wireless network connection and each of the subsystems, including the processor 1403, a mass storage device 1404, an operating system 1405, detection application 1406, detection data 1407 (including the contaminant concentration amounts, thresholds, etc.), a network adapter 1408, system memory 1412, an Input/Output Interface 1410, a display adapter 1409, a display device 1411, and a human machine interface 1402.
The EC 1401 can comprise a variety of computer readable media. Exemplary readable media can be any available media that is accessible by the EC 1401 and comprises, for example and not meant to be limiting, both volatile and non-volatile media, removable and non-removable media. The system memory 1412 comprises computer readable media in the form of volatile memory, such as random access memory (RAM), and/or non-volatile memory, such as read only memory (ROM). The system memory 1412 typically contains data such as detection data 1407 and/or program modules such as operating system 1405 and detection application 1406 that are immediately accessible to and/or are presently operated on by the processing unit 1403.
In another aspect, the EC 1401 can also comprise other removable/non-removable, volatile/non-volatile computer storage media. By way of example,
Optionally, any number of program modules can be stored on the mass storage device 1404, including by way of example, an operating system 1405 and detection application 1406. Each of the operating system 1405 and detection application 1406 (or some combination thereof) can comprise elements of the programming and the detection application 1406. Detection data 1407 can also be stored on the mass storage device 1404. Detection data 1407 can be stored in any of one or more databases known in the art. Examples of such databases include DB2®, Microsoft® Access, Microsoft® SQL Server, Oracle®, mySQL, PostgreSQL, and the like. The databases can be centralized or distributed across multiple systems.
In another aspect, the user can enter commands and information into the EC 1401 via an input device (not shown). Examples of such input devices comprise, but are not limited to, a keyboard, pointing device (e.g., a “mouse”), a microphone, a joystick, a scanner, tactile input devices such as gloves, and other body coverings, and the like. These and other input devices can be connected to the processing unit 1403 via a human machine interface 1402 that is coupled to the system bus 1413, but can be connected by other interface and bus structures, such as a parallel port, game port, an IEEE 1394 Port (also known as a Firewire port), a serial port, or a universal serial bus (USB).
In yet another aspect, a display device 1411 can also be connected to the system bus 1413 via an interface, such as a display adapter 1409. In an aspect, the display device 1411 can be the interface 40 shown in
As discussed above, the EC 1401 can operate and control a water control system (WCS) 1501 and a chemical sensor module (CSM) 1601. The EC 1401 can be connected to the WCS 1501 and CSM 1601 through various input/output interfaces 1410.
Unless otherwise expressly stated, it is in no way intended that any method set forth herein be construed as requiring that its steps be performed in a specific order. Accordingly, where a method claim does not actually recite an order to be followed by its steps or it is not otherwise specifically stated in the claims or descriptions that the steps are to be limited to a specific order, it is no way intended that an order be inferred, in any respect. This holds for any possible non-express basis for interpretation, including: matters of logic with respect to arrangement of steps or operational flow; plain meaning derived from grammatical organization or punctuation; the number or type of embodiments described in the specification.
An embodiment of the present invention was tested with favorable results, discussed herein. A sensor 20 with a waveguide 230 having a single polymer sensing film was field-tested at a major industrial site having significant TCE contamination in the groundwater. Sensor tests were performed in parallel with both conventional (EPA Method 8260) sampling and analysis protocol, as well as with an onsite UV-VIS spectrometer. Triplicate samples of groundwater were pumped up from several monitor wells 12 and tested using the sensor 20. The sensor's phase shift readings were converted to TCE concentration based on laboratory calibration data. The measured concentrations, as well as data obtained from the parallel laboratory measurements using Method 8260, are shown in
The first benefit of a ground and surface water monitoring system as discussed above is a major reduction in the expense of monitoring groundwater sites. The installation of the ground and surface water monitoring system will eliminate the need for repeat trips by monitoring personnel, resulting in significant reduction in personnel time. For example, TCE annual monitoring cost has been reported to be over $600,000, with the average annual cost per monitoring well of $2,800, at the former Dobbins Air Force Base site near Atlanta, Ga. At such a cost, it is estimated that every one thousand monitoring wells or surface monitoring points with sensors deployed would result in annual savings of about $1.5 million.
A second benefit is the significant economic value of ‘continuous monitoring’ at contamination sites and at the inputs for drinking water systems close to contaminated sites. If treatment systems or monitoring sites experience contamination exceeding thresholds set by the user, the sensor will raise an immediate alarm, which could shut down the water system. For locations where the groundwater contamination poses a potential threat of vapor intrusion into buildings, continuous sensing at the perimeter of the plume would instigate immediate remediation activities to stabilize the plume.
Continuous onsite monitoring also eliminates the inaccuracies due to sample degradation upon collection, transport, and analysis. Sampling protocols quite often result in an underreporting of true contamination levels. Furthermore, onsite sensors offer researchers the opportunity to monitor microbial and chemical reactions in real-time, thus shortening test cycles and feedback loops, and allowing researchers to more quickly gain insights into contaminant behavior. Real-time monitoring of remediation scenarios will serve to expedite cleanup times and further reduce costs.
A third significant benefit can be the detection of a wide range of harmful contaminants to include the BTEX chemicals, nitrates and nitrites, and phosphates, and even microbial intruders. We expect that, at this point, the sensor would be widely deployed into water systems of all types, including industrial, municipal, and even private systems.
While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should therefore not be limited by the above described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention. To the extent necessary to understand or complete the disclosure of the present invention, all publications, patents, and patent applications mentioned herein are expressly incorporated by reference therein to the same extent as though each were individually so incorporated.
Having thus described exemplary embodiments of the present invention, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the within disclosures are exemplary only and that various other alternatives, adaptations, and modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments as illustrated herein, but is only limited by the following claims.
This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/751,430, filed Jun. 13, 2013, which is relied upon and incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61834451 | Jun 2013 | US |