Condensation collection device and methods of use

• US 8,006,576 B2
• Filed: 04/15/2008
• Issued: 08/30/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/15/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Board of Regents Nevada System of Higher Education (State of Nevada)
• Original Assignee: Board of Regents Nevada System of Higher Education (State of Nevada)
• Inventors: Decker, David Louis
• Primary Examiner(s): RAEVIS, ROBERT R
• Application Number:
  US12/103,642
• Publication Number:
  US 20090255350A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,232 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 73/863.11
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/4022 by thermal techniques; Phase changes
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/4044 by chemical techniques; Digestion; Chemical decomposition
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/42 Low-temperature sample treatment, e.g. cryofixation
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2001/4033 sample concentrated on a cold spot, e.g. condensation or distillation

Abstract

In certain aspects, the present disclosure provides a monitoring device that includes a condensation unit and a detector, such as a proportional detector. The condensation unit includes a condensation surface, a cooler abutting the condensation surface, and a collection vessel in fluid communication with the condensation surface. The monitoring device may include a decomposition reactor, such as an electrolytic reactor or a reactor that includes an active metal, such as an alloy of sodium and potassium. Particular implementations include a housing that at least partially encloses the condensation unit. The housing may include an aperture, which may be covered by a screen, mesh, or filter. The housing may also include a fan. The fan is used, in some examples, to draw air through the aperture. The monitoring device is, in some implementations, configured for remote operation, such as including a power supply or transmitter.

Claims

1. A sample collection method, comprising:

condensing a vapor sample on a condensation surface of a cooling unit to form a condensate;

collecting the condensate;

decomposing the condensate;

transferring decomposed condensate to a detector; and

detecting for a component of interest in the decomposed condensate.

2. The sample collection method of claim 1, wherein the condensate is water.

3. The sample collection method of claim 1, wherein the condensate comprises tritiated water as a component.

4. The sample collection method of claim 1, wherein decomposing the condensate comprises reacting the condensate with at least one active metal.

5. The sample collection method of claim 1, wherein decomposing the condensate comprises electrolytically decomposing the condensate.

6. The sample collection method of claim 1, wherein the cooling unit comprises a Peltier cooler.

7. The sample collection method of claim 1, wherein detecting for a component of interest comprises using a proportional detector.

8. The sample collection method of claim 1, wherein the vapor sample is obtained from a well.

9. The sample collection method of claim 1, wherein the vapor sample is an ambient vapor sample obtained from a test site.

10. A monitoring device comprising:

a condensation unit comprising a condensation surface, a cooler thermally coupled to the condensation surface; and

a collection vessel in fluid communication with the condensation surface for receiving condensed fluid from the condensation surface;

a detector in fluid communication with the collection vessel; and

a decomposition reactor intermediate the collection vessel and the detector.

11. The monitoring device of claim 10, wherein the detector is a proportional detector.

12. The monitoring device of claim 10, wherein the decomposition reactor comprises an active metal.

13. The monitoring device of claim 10, wherein the decomposition reactor comprises an alloy of potassium and sodium.

14. The monitoring device of claim 10, the condensation unit further comprising:

a housing at least partially enclosing the condensation unit; and

an aperture formed in the housing for receiving a vapor sample.

15. The monitoring device of claim 14, the condensation unit further comprising a fan configured to draw air through the aperture.

16. The monitoring device of claim 10, wherein the cooler comprises a Peltier cooler.

17. The monitoring device of claim 10, wherein the detector is a proportional detector, the monitoring device further comprising:

a quench gas source in fluid communication with the proportional detector; and

a getter unit in fluid communication with the proportional detector.

18. The monitoring device of claim 10, wherein the detector is a proportional detector, further comprising:

a quench gas source in fluid communication with the proportional detector; and

a pump in fluid communication with the proportional detector, wherein the pump is configured to evacuate the proportional detector.

19. The monitoring device of claim 10, further comprising a transmitter, wherein the transmitter receives data from the detector and transmits the data to a computer.

20. A monitoring device comprising:

a condensation unit comprising a condensation surface, a cooler thermally coupled to the condensation surface, and a collection vessel in fluid communication with the condensation surface for receiving condensed fluid from the condensation surface;

a housing at least partially enclosing the condensation unit and having an aperture formed in the housing for receiving a vapor sample;

a detector in fluid communication with the collection vessel; and

a decomposition reactor intermediate the collection vessel and the detector.

21. A sample collection method, comprising:

condensing a vapor sample on a condensation surface of a cooling unit to form a condensate;

collecting the condensate;

transferring the condensate to a detector; and

detecting whether tritium is present in the condensate.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising decomposing the condensate prior to detecting whether tritium is present in the condensate.