Device for measuring reflectance and fluorescence of in-situ soil
First Claim
1. Apparatus for producing on-site and in real time a continuous record of contaminant distribution in soil, comprising:
- a. a probe for penetrating the soil;
b. means for driving the probe into the soil;
c. a window formed in the probe for allowing transmission of light between the exterior and interior of the probe;
d. light means disposed internally of the probe for producing light in the range from visible through ultra violet which passes through the window to irradiate the soil adjacent the window as the probe passes through the soil;
e. light collection and transmission means disposed internally of the probe for collecting reflected light or fluorescence passing back through the window from the soil; and
,f. analysis means receiving the reflected light or florescence from the light collection and transmission means for analyzing said reflected light or fluorescence to produce a spectral signature for each locus of the soil through which the probe passes, said spectral signatures containing information on the contaminants present in the soil.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for real time, on-site detection and analysis of caminant in soil, the invention continuously measures and records specific spectral properties of potentially contaminated soil along a typically vertical profile as a soil penetrating probe of the invention penetrates the soil. The probe is fitted with a light transparent window and a light source disposed internally of the probe. Light from internally of the probe passes through the window and is reflected back through the window from the soil as the probe passes through the soil, the light reflected from the soil back through the window being collected by a fiber optic link within the probe. The collected light is then transmitted through the fiber optic link to the surface for measurement and recordation of spectral distribution and intensity. Determination of the type and amount of contaminant is possible by comparison of the spectral signature of the soil to standards prepared by adding known concentrations of specific contaminant to soil similar to the soil found on the test site. The invention thus allows rapid on-site determination of the location, depth and quantity of contaminant in soils and particularly soils in waste disposal sites. 2
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. Apparatus for producing on-site and in real time a continuous record of contaminant distribution in soil, comprising:
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a. a probe for penetrating the soil; b. means for driving the probe into the soil; c. a window formed in the probe for allowing transmission of light between the exterior and interior of the probe; d. light means disposed internally of the probe for producing light in the range from visible through ultra violet which passes through the window to irradiate the soil adjacent the window as the probe passes through the soil; e. light collection and transmission means disposed internally of the probe for collecting reflected light or fluorescence passing back through the window from the soil; and
,f. analysis means receiving the reflected light or florescence from the light collection and transmission means for analyzing said reflected light or fluorescence to produce a spectral signature for each locus of the soil through which the probe passes, said spectral signatures containing information on the contaminants present in the soil. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for producing on-site and in real time a continuous record of contamination distribution in soil, comprising the steps of:
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a. irradiating a portion of the soil with light in the range from visible to ultra-violet from a source of light as the light source passes through a bore formed in the soil; b. collecting the light reflected or fluoresced from the soil as a result of irradiation of the soil; c. analyzing the collected reflected or fluoresced light to produce a spectral signature for each locus of the soil irradiated by the light. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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19. A method for producing on-site and in real time a continuous record of contamination distribution in soil, comprising the steps of:
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a. penetrating the soil with a probe; b. irradiating a portion of the soil from a source of light in the range from visible to ultra-violet disposed internally of the probe adjacent a window in the probe; c. collecting and transmitting reflected light or fluorescence passing back through the window from the soil; d. analyzing the reflected light or fluorescence to produce a spectral signature for each locus of the soil through which the probe passes. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
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Specification