Claims
- 1. Apparatus for measuring the level of particulates in water containing particulates .gtoreq.0.2 micron in diameter comprising:
- (a) a sampling pipe for removing a sample of water from water containing particulates, said sampling pipe having an inlet and a first outlet and a second outlet, the inlet being in communication with said flow of water;
- (b) pump means in communication with the inlet of said sampling pipe for pressurizing said sample of water and for delivering the same to said sampling pipe;
- (c) back pressure regulator means connected to the first outlet of said sampling pipe for maintaining water pressure within said sampling pipe at a constant value and for continuously bleeding off a portion of said sample of water;
- (d) filter means in communication with the second outlet of said sampling pipe for filtering said sample of water passing through said second outlet of said sampling pipe, said filter means being capable of filtering particulate matter from said sample of water and of permitting a water sample flow rate of at least 100 mL/min. at 30 psi and 25.degree. C.;
- (e) flow rate detecting means for continuously detecting the flow rate of said sample of water passing through said filter means and generating a corresponding output as a function of time; and
- (f) evaluating means coupled to said flow rate detecting means for determining at predetermined times the plugging factor and/or the silt density index of said sample of water passing through said flow rate detecting means.
- 2. Apparatus of claim 1, including means for recording and means for displaying calculations utilizing the plugging factor and/or silt density index.
- 3. Apparatus of claim 1, including a valve interposed between said pump means and said flow rate detecting means.
- 4. Apparatus of claim 1 wherein said filter means is disposed at said second outlet of said sampling pipe and said flow rate detecting means is upstream of said filter means.
- 5. Apparatus of claim 1 wherein said filter means comprises a filter having pores substantially 0.45 micron in diameter.
Government Interests
The government has a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to practice this invention under Contract No. DAAK70-89-C-0019 awarded by The U.S. Army.
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