Portable system, method and kit for onsite adsorbent evaluation
Embodiments of the invention include a portable system, method and kit for onsite adsorbent evaluation useful for quickly testing adsorbents used to remove unwanted contaminants from water sources, including ground water. The embodiments of the portable system, method and kit of the present invention may be used in remote locations including the location of the source water obviating the need for transporting contaminated water or performing sampling in a laboratory. Components of the system may include a plurality of fluid channels or paths. Each fluid path may or may not include a column containing the adsorbent under evaluation, passive sampler, sampling vessel, source tubing, treated water return tubing, taps at junctions and a pump to draw source water through the fluid path in the system.
1 . A portable on-site adsorbent evaluation system for sampling source water containing a target contaminant, the portable on-site adsorbent evaluation system comprising:
an equipment case enclosing equipment comprising:
a fluid channel;
a source tube including a source tube open end and configured to convey water from the source water into the fluid channel;
a column comprising a column inlet, a column outlet and a candidate adsorbent configured to adsorb the target contaminant, the column inlet in fluidic communication with the fluid channel and configured to treat the conveyed water and provide column treated water to the column outlet;
a valve configured to selectively direct the column treated water to a sampling vessel;
a return tube including a return tube open end, the return tube in fluidic communication with the column outlet and configured to selectively direct the column treated water to a waste container;
a passive sampler container comprising a container inlet, a container outlet and a passive sampler, the container inlet in fluidic communication with the fluid channel and the passive sampler configured to provide water sampled by the passive sampler to the container outlet; and
a pump configured to pump the conveyed water from the source water through the source tube and the fluid channel and to pump the column treated water through the return tube to the waste container;
wherein the equipment case is configured to enclose and protect the system contents during transportation and storage.
2 . The portable on-site adsorbent evaluation system according to claim 1 , further comprising a power cord configured for to transfer electrical energy from an external power source to the pump.
3 . The portable on-site adsorbent evaluation system according to claim 1 , further comprising a power supply configured to power the pump.
4 . The portable on-site adsorbent evaluation system according to claim 1 , further comprising a power strip configured to transfer electrical energy from an external power source to the pump.
5 . The portable on-site adsorbent evaluation system according to claim 1 , further comprising a battery configured to power the pump.
6 . The portable on-site adsorbent evaluation system according to claim 1 , further comprising a filter disposed between the source tube and the pump and configured to filter bulk particles and debris out of the conveyed water.
7 . The portable on-site adsorbent evaluation system according to claim 1 , further comprising a bypass fluid path around the passive sampler container.
8 . The portable on-site adsorbent evaluation system according to claim 1 , further comprising a sampling tap in fluidic communication with the fluid path.
9 . The portable on-site adsorbent evaluation system according to claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of selectively removable mounting brackets mounted within the equipment case and configured to support the passive sampler container.
10 . The portable on-site adsorbent evaluation system according to claim 1 , wherein the column further comprises at least one of:
a Rapid Small-Scale Column Test (RSSCT); and
a full-scale column.
11 . The portable on-site adsorbent evaluation system according to claim 10 , further comprising one or more mounting brackets configured to mount to the equipment case and support the Rapid Small-Scale Column Test (RSSCT) or the full-scale column or both.
12 . A portable kit for evaluating an adsorbent at a source water site, the portable kit comprising:
an equipment case enclosing kit contents comprising:
a fluid channel;
a source tube including a source tube open end and configured to convey water from the source water into the fluid channel;
a column comprising a column inlet, a column outlet and a candidate adsorbent configured to adsorb the target contaminant, the column inlet configured to fluidic communicate with the fluid channel when the kit is assembled and configured to treat the conveyed water and provide column treated water to the column outlet;
a valve configured to selectively direct the column treated water to a sampling vessel;
a return tube including a return tube open end, the return tube configured to fluidically communicate with the column outlet when the kit is assembled and configured to selectively direct the column treated water to a waste container;
a passive sampler container comprising a container inlet, a container outlet and a passive sampler, the container inlet configured to fluidic communicate with the fluid channel when the kit is assembled and the passive sampler configured to provide water sampled by the passive sampler to the container outlet; and
a pump configured to pump the water from the source water through the source tube and the fluid channel and to pump the column treated water through the return tube to the waste container; wherein the equipment case is configured to enclose and protect the kit contents during transportation and storage.
13 . The portable kit according to claim 12 , further comprising at least one of: a power cord configured to transfer electrical energy from an external power source to the pump, a power supply configured to power the pump and a power strip configured to transfer electrical energy from the external power source to the pump.
14 . The portable kit according to claim 12 , further comprising a battery configured to power the pump.
15 . The portable kit according to claim 12 , further comprising a filter between the source tubing and the pump, the filter configured to remove bulk particles and debris from conveyed water before the conveyed water enters the column.
16 . The portable kit according to claim 12 , further comprising a bypass fluid path around the passive sampler container.
17 . The portable kit according to claim 12 , further comprising a sampling tap for sampling the column treated water.
18 . The portable kit according to claim 15 , further comprising selectively removable mounting brackets configured to mount within the equipment case and support the passive sampler container.
19 . The portable kit according to claim 12 , wherein the column further comprises at least one of:
a Rapid Small-Scale Column Test (RSSCT); and
a full-scale column.
20 . The portable kit according to claim 19 , further comprising one or more selectively removable mounting brackets configured to mount within the equipment case and support the Rapid Small-Scale Column Test (RSSCT) or the full-scale column or both.
21 . A method of evaluating a candidate absorbent at a source water site using the portable on-site adsorbent evaluation system of claim 1 , the method comprising:
placing the source tube open end into the source water;
directing the return tube open end to a treated water return;
powering the pump by connecting the portable on-site adsorbent evaluation system to a power source;
enabling a preselected contact time with the candidate adsorbent by selectively pumping water from the source water into the column at a preselected rate and directing the treated water out of the column outlet and into the return tube;
selectively gathering treated water samples;
disconnecting the portable on-site adsorbent evaluation system from the power source;
retrieving the source tube and the return tube; and
evaluating the candidate adsorbent at the source water site.
22 . The method according to claim 21 , wherein the selectively gathering treated water samples comprises:
refrigerating or storing the selectively gathered treated water samples;
transporting the selectively gathered treated water samples to a laboratory; and
analyzing the selectively gathered treated water samples at the laboratory.