CA2529883A1 - Material sample containment system and protocol - Google Patents

Abstract

Soil samples are taken using continuous sample tubes, typically driven by hammer, pushed by weight, or vibrated into the ground. Metal, plastic/acrylic/glass like tubes or other material tubs are used. Some of the tubes are clear and allow visual inspection.
Methods of sample preparation, of measuring recovery in the tube, of selecting sample locations, of identifying sample locations, of taking samples, of labeling the samples, of capping the samples, and of testing samples has been invented. The methods helps maintain the integrity of samples and the contaminants they contain under essentially ambient lithological conditions are set forth, so that more accurate environmental and geological information may be easily developed.

Description

REFERENCE TO A "SEQUENCE LISTING," A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER
PROGRAM LISTING APPENDIX SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISK
Not applicable This invention relates to tools and methods for obtaining high quality soil samples from continuous sample tubes. The invention relates to both taking samples, or measurements of soil or other properties associated with the soil. The sample tubes are typically driven by hammer, pushed by weight, or vibrated into the ground. Metal, plastic/acrylic/glass like tubes or other material tubs are used. Some of the tubes are clear and allow visual inspection. If the tubes are not clear they may be split or the sample is extracted by push extrusion. Methods of sample preparation, of measuring recovery in the tube, of selecting sample locations, of identifying sample locations, of taking samples, of labeling the samples, of capping the samples, and of testing samples has been invented.
The methods helps maintain the integrity of samples and the contaminants they contain under essentially ambient lithological conditions are set forth, so that more accurate environmental and geological information may be easily developed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventional soil and environmental sampling in direct push and driven tube systems provide near cylindrical samples. Metal, plastic/acrylic/glass like tubes or other material tubs are used. Some of the tubes are clear and allow visual inspection. Clear tubes allow visual inspection of the original or existing soil layering or lithology. The samplers are cut longitudinally by a knife or cutting apparatus. If the tubes are not clear they may be split or the sample is extracted by push extrusion. Once the tube is cut or split, or the sample extruded, a field engineer, scientist, or engineer examines the soil and may transfers select portions to a clean container(s) for further testing. The process of cutting, examining, and transferring the soil further disturbs the original condition of the soil.
Volatile vapours may escape, liquids may escape, and the sample integrity and location become disturbed and contaminants smeared over a larger portion of the sample, thereby allowing over or underestimation of contaminant levels or their extent. The invention allows for better preservation of the soil sample and the soil sample interior atmosphere so that more accurate and reliable results may be obtained.

Existing samples are extracted from drilled holes with considerable cost so plumes may be analysed, wells installed, and the like. It is known that the act of sampling can cause smearing, so that new sample gloves are worn for each sample or portion thereof in some cases, and or new spatulas are used for trimming each sample. To preserve volatiles or other compounds the sampling jars are treated or must be filled entirely to eliminate headspace, and the like. Accordingly, if hoping to understand the ambient environmental condition, the samples should be as close to their original condition as possible when the sample is retrieved and stored for shipping. Breaking samples up to achieve filling of containers can only serve to liberate liquids and gases, and to move them around.

DISCOVERY

We have come to the realization that for the best testing of core samples for environmental and other purposes, the samples must be as undisturbed as possible, and with a secure data trail. We also realized that the best sample and volume estimates will come if the method of sample identification is standardized and measurable easily in the field, and that if a sample has less than full recovery, that identifying the amount of recovery and the compression of the sample will be important. Our invention relates to making the sample secure, and making the development and retention of the information relating to the sample secure. The invention maintain sample integrity until the time of testing in the lab or field to a greater degree than current methods, and allows for more direct measurements and identification of sample intervals. By using the tools and methods outlined, sample integrity is increased, so that field and office work can be more accurate and reliable, with less errors.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A tube cutter combined with the sample interval tubes, a sampling table, and pre-labeled sample tags or bar codes for high quality samples is disclosed. A rubberized measurement rod is with depth markings and or bar codes for depth markings is disclosed. The cutter combined with the tubes and sealing cap is disclosed to form a high quality sample.

The interval tube is retrieved using the conventional drilling tools beginning at the surface or other starting depth. Each interval tube has an interval number and may be put in a specific interval tray on the special sample table or may be numbered on a conventional table. A field tablet (table or person mounted) will contain barcodes for interval numbers and depths.
The samples are laid out with the top facing the right in all cases. A cap is placed over both ends. The rubberized measurement rod, is laid alongside the sample. The top of the sample coincides with the top of the rubberized rod, and the rod is stretched to reach the bottom of the sample, or adjusted as directed by the field workers.

The engineer, scientist, or field technologist visually inspects the sample using the depth rod depths for depth determination. The field engineer then applies marks to the tube and adhesive (or other) labels to the intervals of the interval where a sample of interest can be taken and uses a bar code scanner or other recorder to mark the unique sample number, interval number, date, time, top depth, and bottom depth, together with other data.
Further copies of the labels are attached to sampling containers, to field logs which have pre prepared label and data fields. The depth is scanned from the depth from the rubberized rod or from the field tablet. The data is saved into the computer scanner memory and on the field notes and data log (by sticker). .

The interval tube is then cut transversely with the cutter, above and below the sample.
Further tests such as PID sniffing, XRF analysis, etc. that can be quickly applied in the field may then be done on the exposed surfaces, or not further field work is done. In either case, both ends of the sampled interval are capped immediately so they become sealed. The cutter is wiped clean or washed clean if needed. The end is trimmed if needed.

Samples will or are likely to contract slightly, trapping the entire sample in the sampled tube, that is sample integrity is high, and leaves about 1 to 5% of void space for trapping volatiles if desired, or the caps are fully filled with aluminum foil.

The sample so developed and trimmed, is then stored in an appropriate container and readied for shipment. The tool developed and method avoids the need for washing in the field, or preserving chemicals, for reducing sample head space, for sample disturbance before securing the sample.

If specific intervals are to be sniffed for volatiles, a small trip is used to provide a tap through the wall of the sample. The drill bit is sized to fit a PID or other sniffer, so that vapors may be extracted. Between the time of drilling and sniffing a rubberized plug is placed to prevent evacuation of vapors. The sniffer is pushed through the plug or the plug is removed.

The rubberized rod has depth and barcode readings representing the full length of an individual interval sampling tube.

The sampling table also has depth and barcode readings representing the full depth of the individual interval sampling tube.

In the case of a multi tube sampling table, each tube tray is marked beginning from the highest portion to the lowest, with full depth readings. Up to 5 trays will be typical, so that 20' (6m) of samples may be bar code and depth read from one table.

The sample depth tablet will include an interval number as well as depth barcode and lettering.

The scanner will have software developed to read sample barcodes, to read depth bar codes, to take sample top and bottoms, to read interval numbers, to take the time, to take the date, and to accept various field derived data and comments.

The caps and tubes shall provide secure little disturbed samples. The labels on the interval samples shall provide quality and data control, as well as back up in the event of samples being lost, mislabeled, wrongly shipped, etc. The labels are unique in terms of time and project to provide further data and handling security. .

Description CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Direct push soil sampling methods are becoming more common. This technology can be adapted easily to existing equipment and methods.

STATEMENT AS TO RIGHTS TO INVENTIONS MADE UNDER
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the rubberized bar with bar codes and depth markings.

FIG. 2 is a in plan view of the sample table, with marked sample trays for multiple interval samples.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the sample table marked for only one interval at a time.
FIG. 4 is a view of the data tablet with barcode data on the sample table.

FIG. 5. is a plan view of an interval tube laying on the sampling table, with labels and cut marks, showing the rubberized bar, data tablet with barcodes.

FIG. 6 is a view of the cutter on the interval tube being, as the tube is being cut with the cutter in a transverse direction.

FIG. 7 is a view showing the barcodes at the ends of the samples for reading depths.
FIG. 8. is a view of the barcode stickers placed on the sample, the chain of custody, and borehole or field data sheet.

FIG. 9. is a profile view of the sample showing the caps in place with the sampling gap filled by a filler, in this case aluminum foil, and showing the sticker.

FIG 10. is a view of the field log, with room for the bar code sticker.

FIG. 11 is a schematic of the bar code reader utilized to read the depth of the sample on the tablet.

FIG 12. is a schematic of the sample or the interval tube being drilled and of a hole with a rubber stopper.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a rubberized band with bar codes is illustrated. The band (1) is of a highly elastic material, with a clamp (2) at both ends marked with regularly spaced barcodes (3), depth marks (17), and lettering (4).

In FIG. 2 a table in plan view (5) is illustrated with V notched or rounded notches (6) to act as interval tube trays, having numberings(7) and barcodes (8) and top of table lettering (9) and detachable data tablet (10).
In FIG. 3 is a table in plan view (11) with numberings (7) and barcodes (8) and a detachable data tablet (10). The detachable tablet (10) can be worn by Velcro or other belt (not shown) by attachment to a sleeve(not shown) or attached to the table (not shown) with having a receptor (not shown).

In FIG. 4 is the data tablet (10) having letter/numerical markings (7) and barcodes(8). A
belt (12) with Velcro or other means can be used to fasten the tablet to a sleeve or table.

In FIG. 5. is illustrated the interval tube (13) laying on the table (5,11) developed using conventional drilling methods, but the tub is not cut longitudinally as in normally done, rather, the rubber band bar (1) is stretched from the top of the sample (37) to the bottom of the sample (16) where the clamps hold the tube, so approximate true depths on the band are stretched out so that the depth marks (17) conform to the "true"
depths, and so that the barcodes (8) and lettering, numbering(7) reflects the true depth. The engineer place the sticker labels (14) and marks the sample limit marks (15) for each sample.
Referring to FIG. 6 the knife or cutting tool (18) rests over the sample limit marks (15), so that the interval tube (13) is scored and cut along the limit marks (15) and transverse to the axis of the interval tube so that the sample identified by the label (14) is isolated.
Referring to FIG. 7. one finds a sample (23) with label (14) cut on the table (5,11) and resting adjacent to the depth markings (7), with their associated barcodes (8) and nearby depth marks on the rubber bar or table. The bar code reader is shown taking data from the bar codes or the data tablet.

Referring to FIG. 8. one finds the sample identification sticker (14) attached to the sample (23), the field log (21), and chain of custody (22).

FIG. 9. Illustrates a sample (23) with sticker, showing the end caps (25), and if needed a gap filler.

Referring to FIG. 10 one finds a typical soil boring log (21) adapted to take a barcode sticker (14) in form areas (26) and having further data entry columns (29) with boxes for (27) for depth indicators.

Referring to FIG. 11 one finds a hand held barcode reader (20) used to scan the barcodes from the samples, the table, the table, the rubberized or stretchable bar, or other source, a reader having a port to connect (31) to a computer computerized data base, and having a view screen (30) so that users can field verify data..

In FIG. 12. is shown a sample (23) with label, though this could be an interval tube, being tapped by a drill (32) through the tube(13) wall (33) to form a hole (34) which will be filled with a stopper (35), so that sample atmosphere may be sniffed in the field.

From the above specification, it will be understood that we disclose a patent with a utility product which can be sold for value to allow:

Use of existing sampling tools using new tools and equipment to allow better sampling, specifically we have developed A rubberized or elastic measuring bar to lay along side existing interval tubes, which bar has markings including depth markings, barcodes, and alphanumeric lettering, which stretch to accommodate the sample in the interval sample tube.

A single or multiple tray sample table with depth markings, barcode markings, interval markings, alphanumeric markings, and top, and adapted to receive a data tablet, to facilitate sample identification and labeling in a more secure fashion.

A data tablet with barcodes and alphanumeric data to facilitate sample descriptions.
A cutter and marking system to cut the interval tubes transversly.

Caps to seal the samples so samples may be stored without further containers, further preparatory chemicals, or exposure to the atmosphere or disturbance. .

Stickers to attach to the samples, to a chain of custody, and to borehole or field logs or other containers containing barcodes and other data.

A drill with bit and stoppers to facilitate soil atmosphere or other sampling.
The invention as shown herein Allows a process further to for more secure sampling of soils with contaminants, so that sample handling is minimized, data security and integrity enhanced, and time and money resources better spent, and so that conventional drilling production can be increased.
Finally, the patent device is a patentable article, useful to commerce, and the process is patentable with the articles, and is useful to commerce.

Claims (10)

1. A rubberized bar stretchable with bar codes and marking to simplify depth measurements for soil sampling and other applications, where the depth of sample may vary.

2. A field tablet with depth markings and barcodes for recording tube intervals, tube depths, sample top and bottom depths.

3. Bar code field labels for placement on sample intervals, borehole, and sample containers.

4. A borehole or data template for sticking on of stickers matching samples and sample containers.

5. Cut tube portions containing samples, with caps and labels, representing the field and laboratory secure containers to minimize cross contamination, losses of contaminants, and disturbance of samples.

6. A bar code reader with computer for soil sampling, environmental sampling, and other sampling.

7. A form for accepting bar codes and hand written data.

8. A cutter for cutting interval tubes transversly.

9. A drill with rubber stopper to allow for ID and other sniffing of localized sample atmospheres.

10. A process for sampling, cutting, and labeling sample interval tubes, tubes used in the direct push and other sample tool advancement method industry, so that uniquely identified and undisturbed samples may be taken in soils, fills, bins, etc.
comprising the steps of:

laying the interval tube on a pre labeled and barcode bearing table Or laying the interval tube on a table of pre labeled and barcode bearing trays Or laying the interval tube on a table with the availability of a depth and interval tablet inspecting and marking the samples, providing markings for beginnings and end of samples, placing stickers on portions of interval tubes to be cut and on borehole logs, chains of custody, etc.

using a cutter to transversly cut interval tubes at the sample depths desired at the top and bottom of intervals identified by the labels and marks, immediately placing caps at each end of the sample cut from the interval tube, And or immediate testing with a short duration test followed by capping, placing cap filler if needed to preserve sample integrity.

placing the sample into an appropriate cooler or container, placing of samples into the system with less opportunity for humans directly contacting and being harmed by contaminants in samples in the soil.
Using the drill, stopper, and sniffer or similar tool to take field samples of sample or remnant soil atmospheres.

Recording the results with a bar code scanner and other methods to increase information duplication and data security.