Title of Invention

A SAMPLING DEVICE USEFUL FOR MONITORING AND ASSESSING THE QUALITY OF AIR

Abstract

A sampling device useful for monitoring and assessing the quality of air The sampling,device comprising a tubular/cylindrical member(CM) having peripheral wall and two end portions adopted for streamlined and uniform inflow of atmospheric air internally accommodating an activated charcoal bed (ACB) , said member accommodating said activated charcoal bed being sealed with tapered sealed end portions t(TS) adopted for easy breakage to facilitate intake of air therethrough for sampling purposes. Preferably the size range of the activated charcoal/cartoon is 0.5-1.5 mm, the glass tube is of 5-8 mm outside diameters with internal diameter of 3-6 mm, length of 70-100 mm. The above sampling device is useful for identifying harmful, toxic elements like benzene, toluene, xylene etc. in ambient air and the like.it is simple to manufacture and would be, easy and conversant to As operate and use. The sampling device would be useful for monitoring and assessing the quality of air and the like which in a reliable and cost-effective manner.

Full Text

1A The present invention relates to a sampling device useful for monitoring and assessing the quality of air and in particular to an activated charcoal based sampling device. Ambient air quality has become an important element of overall environmental management in the recent past. Monitoring and assessment of harmful pollutants like toxic and carcinogenic hydrocarbons, which are frequently found in ambient air have become the thrust area of research. Standards for minimum permissible concentration for these compounds have not yet been developed. Nevertheless, laboratory work on animals reveals that compounds like benzene, toluene, xylene etc. can be harmful if, they are present in the ambient air, even at very low concentrations. It is thus the basic object of the present invention to provide a sampling device useful for identifying harmful toxic elements like benzene, toluene, xylene etc. in ambient air and the like. Another object of the present invention is to provide a sampling device useful for monitoring and assessing the quality of air and the like which would be simple to manufacture and would be easy and conversant to operation and use especially for monitoring and assessing the level of harmful toxic elements. Yet another object of the invention is to provide a sampling device useful for monitoring and assessing the quality of air which will be reliable and cost-effective. Another object is directed to provide a simple and cost-effective method of manufacture of sampling device for monitoring and assessing the quality of air. Thus according to the present invention there is provided a sampling device useful for monitoring and assessing the quality of air comprising : 2 a member having peripheral wall and two end portions adopted for streamlined and uniform inflow of atmospheric air internally accommodating an activated charcoal bed ; said member accommodating said activated charcoal bed being sealed with tapered sealed end portions adapted for easy breakage to facilitate intake of air therethrough for sampling purposes. Preferably, in order to favour stable location of said activated charcoal bed internally in said member there is provided support means to support/hold said activated charcoal bed in said member. Moreover, for a compact disposition of said charcoal bed the charcoal bed at its sides facing the end portions of said member are provided with glass wool plugs. Preferably, in accordance with one embodiment the sampling device of the invention comprise: a tubular/cylindrical member having said two end portions and accommodating internally a charcoal bed ; said charcoal bed being supported with respect to support means provided internally in said member; glass wool provided at the sides of said charcoal bed providing for maintaining the charcoal bed compact; said end portions of said member having tapered sealed ends. Preferably, the tubular/cylindrical member is a tubular/cylindrical glass member. The support means provided to support said charcoal bed can comprise radially internally protruding members with atleast a central opening for passage of air for sampling from the end adjacent thereto to said charcoal bed for sampling purposes. 3 The dimensions of the tubular/cylindrical member are selected based upon the air flow rate, sampling time and amount of activated charcoal packed in said member. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention the method of manufacture of the sampling device comprising : providing a tubular/cylindrical member with a charcoal bed housed inside and two open end portions; providing a tapered extension at said end portions and finally sealing the said tapered end portions. In accordance with a preferred aspect the invention provides for the method of manufacture of the sampling device comprising : providing a tubular/cylindrical member of desired selected dimensions ; providing a tapered lower end portion and sealing the same ; . providing radially inwardly protruding support member adjacent said sealed end for supporting an activated charcoal bed ; introducing the activated charcoal bed with glass wool supports at its ends through the open end of the tubular/cylindrical member such as to be supported with respect to said support member adjacent said sealed end ; and finally providing a tapered extension of said open end and sealing the same. In the above process of manufacture of the sampling device the step of providing the radially extending internal supports comprise : selecting the location along the length of said tubular/cylindrical member for providing said support; heating externally the said selected location and piercing the melted portion towards the axis of said tubular/cylindrical member to thereby provide said support means. In the above process for manufacture of the support, the said steps of heating and piercing can be carried out around the tube in said location to obtain plurality of radially inwardly extending supports preferably triangular shaped. In accordance with yet further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of sampling of air using the sampling device disclosed above comprising : providing the sealed sampling device with said charcoal bed housed inside and said tapered sealed end portions ; cutting the said tapered end portions of said sampling device and connecting the said sampling device to means for suction of ambient air into said sampling device for absorption of said elements, measuring the flow-rate ; stopping the flow of air after desired air flow strength said device is attended ; releasing the charcoal bed with the absorbed elements and testing for level of said elements. The above disclosed sampling device thus provides for monitoring and investigating the level of harmful toxic elements like benzene, toluene, xylene etc. in ambient air and a sampling technique using the same. The cylindrical glass sampler filled with activated charcoal is adapted to trap toxic organic compounds present in air samples. Importantly, the dimensions of the trap tube are based upon the flow characteristics. Preferably, the size range of the activated charcoal/carbon is 0.5 -1.5 mm., the glass tube is of 5 -8 mm outside diameter with internal diameter of 3-6 mm, length of 70 - 100 mm. The details of the invention, its objects and advantages are explained hereunder is greater detail in relation to non-limiting exemplary embodiments. Description of accompanying drawings Fig. 1A shows a longitudinal sectional view of the sampling device Fig. 1B shows a sectional view of the sampling device showing the disposition of the support means. As illustrated in Fig. 1A, the sampling device comprises the tubular/cylindrical member (CM) which internally accommodates the activated charcoal bed (ACB). 5 The tubular/cylindrical member is provided to have a streamlined and uniform inflow of atmospheric air sample through the tube and the charcoal bed absorbent. The cylindrical shape provides least resistant mean free path to the incoming air/gas. The activated charcoal (ACB) is supported with respect to radially inwardly protruding supports (RPS) which have opening (OP) for communication of ambient air from outside to the charcoal bed (ACB). To maintain the charcoal bed compact at its sides the same is provided with glass wool (GW) plug. As shown in said figure, the ends of the tubular/cylindrical member are tapered and sealed (TS), such tapered end portion is provided to facilitate the breakage of the seal for entry of the air into the device and in particular absorption of the elements by said charcoal bed. A vigreux constriction (as shown in figure 1) was made at one end to prevent the movement and loosening of activated carbon bed, when the air is sucked through the trap. Once the activated carbon was placed inside the glass trap, both ends of the sampler were sealed by fusing. The dimension of the sampler tube is selected based on the Air Flow Rate, Sampling Time and Amount of Activated Charcoal packed in the sampler. In the sampling device Air Flow Rate of 20 - 30 cc/min, Sampling Time of 2 - 8 minutes and Amount of activated charcoal at 100 - 150 mg. would be accommodated which was as per established standards. Method of manufacture : The glass tube of 5 - 8 mm outside diameter and 3-6 mm internal diameter and length of 70 - 100 mm was selected for development of sampler. One end of the tube was sealed, to facilitate the making of three number of supporting projection towards one end of the tube. The blast burner flame was used for sealing. The oxygen rich blue and sharp flame is passed at the location of about 12-15 mm from the sealed end on the outer surface of the glass and the melted portion was pierced towards the center of axis of the glass tube by a sharp tool, to make a projected triangular shaped support (Vigreux constriction) as shown in the figure 1. The same process was carried out all around the tube to have three number of supports. Then, the activated charcoal of size around 0.5 - 1.5 mm was 6 sandwiched between the glass wool pack, so that, one side of glass wool pack rests on the projected triangular support. The other end of the glass tube was then sealed. Finally, the trap sampler was preserved in reclosable polythene bag to protect it from atmospheric moisture. Method of identification of ambient air elements using the sampling device. To use the sampling device at the collection site, the thin ends of the trap are broken using an iron file. The trap is then connected to an air sampling equipment which passes the atmospheric air into the glass trap and consequently, through the activated charcoal bed to enable the absorption of chemical pollutants. Then, the activated charcoal is taken out from the tube after removing the glass wool. The charcoal is then subjected to the analysis of various pollutant chemicals using gas chromatography. Importantly, air was sampled by means of a positive displacement pump. The sampler was connected on the suction side with a needle valve in between to control the flow rate. The flow rate was measured on the delivery side of the pump by means of a bubbler meter. Immediately before an air sample was taken, the ends of a sampler were cut and connected to the pump via the needle valve by means of a clear plastic (polyethylene) tube. Flow rate was measured at the start and at the end of each sampling. After the sampling was over, the ends of the sampler were covered with adhesive tapes and brought to the laboratory for analysis. It is thus possible by way of the above disclosed sampling device of the invention to provide for a device which would be useful for effectively monitoring and investigating the level of harmful toxic elements like benzene, toluene, xylene etc. in ambient air and further discloses a simple and cost effective method of sampling of air and the like. 7 WE CLAIM 1 A sampling device useful for monitoring and assessing the quality of air comprising : a member having peripheral wall and two end portions adapted for streamlined and uniform inflow of atmospheric air internally accommodating an activated charcoal bed; said member accommodating said activated charcoal bed being sealed with tapered sealed end portions adapted for easy breakage to facilitate intake of air therethrough for sampling purposes. 2. A sampling device as claimed in claim 1 comprising means for supporting the said charcoal bed internally in said member. 3. A sampling device as claimed in anyone of claims 1 or 2 wherein said charcoal bed at the sides thereof facing said end portions of said member are provided with glass wool plug. 4 A sampling device as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 3 comprising : a tubular/cylindrical member having said two end portions and accommodating internally a charcoal bed ; said charcoal bed being supported with respect to support means provided internally in said member; glass wool provided at the sides of said charcoal bed providing for maintaining the charcoal bed compact; said end portions of said member having tapered sealed ends. 5. A sampling device as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 4 wherein said tubular/cylindrical member is a tubular/cylindrical glass member. 8 6. A sampling device as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 5 wherein said support means provided to support said charcoal bed comprise radially internally protruding members with atleast a central opening for passage of air for sampling from the end adjacent thereto to said charcoal bed for sampling purposes. 7. A sampling device as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 6 wherein the dimensions of the tubular/cylindrical member are selected based upon the air flow rate, sampling time and amount of activated charcoal packed in said member. 8. A sampling device as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 7 wherein the size range of the activated charcoal/carbon bed is 0.5 -1.5 mm, the glass tube is of 5 - 8 mm outside diameter with internal diameter of 3 - 6 mm and length of 70-100 mm. 9. A method of manufacture of the sampling device as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 8 comprising : providing a tubular/cylindrical member of desired selected dimensions ; providing a tapered lower end portion and sealing the same ; providing radially inwardly protruding support member adjacent said sealed end for supporting an activated charcoal bed ; introducing the activated charcoal bed with glass wool supports at its ends through the open end of the tubular/cylindrical member such as to be supported with respect to said support member adjacent said sealed end ; and finally providing a tapered extension of said open end and sealing the same. 10. A method of manufacture of sampling device as claimed in claim 9 comprising the step of providing the radially extending internal supports comprising : selecting the location along the length of said tubular/cylindrical member for providing said support; 9 heating externally the said selected location and piercing the melted portion towards the axis of said tubular/cylindrical member to thereby provide said support means. 11. A method of manufacture of sampling device as claimed in claim 10 wherein the said steps of heating and piercing can be carried out around the tube in said location to obtain plurality of radially inwardly extending supports preferably triangular shaped. 12. A method as claimed in anyone of claims 10 or 11 wherein blast burner flame is used to seal the end portions and/or to provide said radially inwardly extending supports, 13. A method of sampling of air using the sampling device as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 8 comprising: providing the sealed sampling device with said charcoal bed housed inside and said tapered sealed end portions ; cutting the said tapered end portions of said sampling device and connecting the said sampling device to means for suction of ambient air into said sampling device for absorption of said elements, measuring the flow-rate ; stopping the flow of air after desired air flow strength said device is attained; releasing the charcoal bed with the absorbed elements and testing for level of said elements. 14. A method as claimed in claim 13 wherein air flow rate of 20 - 30 cc/min, sampling time of 2 - 8 minutes and amount of activated charcoal at 100 - 150 mg are used. 15. A sampling device useful for monitoring and assessing the quality of air substantially as herein described and illustrated with reference to the accompanying figures. 10 16. A method of manufacture of sampling device useful for monitoring and assessing the quality of air substantially as herein described and illustrated with reference to the accompanying figures. A sampling device useful for monitoring and assessing the quality of air The sampling,device comprising a tubular/cylindrical member(CM) having peripheral wall and two end portions adopted for streamlined and uniform inflow of atmospheric air internally accommodating an activated charcoal bed (ACB) , said member accommodating said activated charcoal bed being sealed with tapered sealed end portions t(TS) adopted for easy breakage to facilitate intake of air therethrough for sampling purposes. Preferably the size range of the activated charcoal/cartoon is 0.5-1.5 mm, the glass tube is of 5-8 mm outside diameters with internal diameter of 3-6 mm, length of 70-100 mm. The above sampling device is useful for identifying harmful, toxic elements like benzene, toluene, xylene etc. in ambient air and the like.it is simple to manufacture and would be, easy and conversant to As operate and use. The sampling device would be useful for monitoring and assessing the quality of air and the like which in a reliable and cost-effective manner.

Documents:

00539-cal-2000-abstract.pdf

00539-cal-2000-claims.pdf

00539-cal-2000-correspondence.pdf

00539-cal-2000-description(complete).pdf

00539-cal-2000-drawings.pdf

00539-cal-2000-form-1.pdf

00539-cal-2000-form-18.pdf

00539-cal-2000-form-2.pdf

00539-cal-2000-form-3.pdf

00539-cal-2000-letters patent.pdf

00539-cal-2000-p.a.pdf

539-cal-2000-granted-abstract.pdf

539-cal-2000-granted-claims.pdf

539-cal-2000-granted-correspondence.pdf

539-cal-2000-granted-description (complete).pdf

539-cal-2000-granted-drawings.pdf

539-cal-2000-granted-examination report.pdf

539-cal-2000-granted-form 1.pdf

539-cal-2000-granted-form 18.pdf

539-cal-2000-granted-form 2.pdf

539-cal-2000-granted-form 3.pdf

539-cal-2000-granted-letter patent.pdf

539-cal-2000-granted-pa.pdf

539-cal-2000-granted-reply to examination report.pdf

539-cal-2000-granted-specification.pdf