Device for extracting and taking samples from an aqueous solution in a substrate

A device is provided for extraction of samples of an aqueous solution in a substratum. A probe made up of a pyrometric capsule of porous porcelain has one end of lesser diameter to which is attached a tube of inert material. The tube is sealed hermetically by a rubber cap with two drilled holes. An adapted pipe is fitted into one of the drilled holes for connection to a vacuum pump, and a suction capillary is placed in the other drilled hole.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This application claims priority of Spanish Application Serial No. 200001559, filed on Jun. 9, 2000, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein.

Known procedures and devices carry out the collection of a soil sample which is taken to the laboratory. This has the inconvenience that the aqueous solution found in the edaphic profile or substratum is not used directly, and thus the degree of distortion of the analysis depends mainly on the qualitative composition of the water used.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is a device used to extract and take samples from an aqueous solution in a substrate.

The device of the present invention is applied to carry out the extraction and sampling of an aqueous substrate solution in, for example, soils with different edaphic profiles or substratum, called soil solution; land drainage; artificial inorganic substrata, saturated or unsaturated; and artificial organic substrata, saturated or unsaturated.

The device is usable, in particular, for agricultural, environmental and industrial applications.

Among others, the following specific agricultural applications can be mentioned: studies of the composition of different chemical forms, evolution and degradation of organic compounds (chelates) and inorganic compounds in their different chemical forms. Also, the present invention is usable to discover the evolution and availability of fertilizing nutrients in general, over the whole soil profile.

In the environmental area, the device is used to control polluting effluents such as nitrates, nitrites, fitosanitary compounds in general, chemical evolution of inorganic compounds, organic compounds (chelates, remains of pesticides), and the control of aquifers.

In the industrial area, the device is used to control ponds for decanting solids and/or liquids, and residue control.

This capsule has a step shape on the end perimeter to which is attached a tube of total inert material such as P.V.C., polyethylene, etc. and of external diameter which is preferably the same as the external diameter of the capsule.

At the free end of the tube, a rubber pipe with hermetic closure is attached. An adapter tube for a vacuum pump and a suction gland that is introduced lengthways into the probe are provided in the closure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This device designated generally by numeral1is constituted by a probe generally designated by numeral2formed by a capsule3of porous porcelain having a decreased section4in the end area, to which is attached the end of a pipe5of known inert material, such as P.V.C., polyethylene, etc.

A rubber cap6is attached on the free end of the tube5to obtain a hermetic seal.

Two holes7,8are drilled into cap6into one of which holes is attached the end of an adapter tube9to a vacuum pump (not shown) and in the other hole is attached a capillary suction tube10which is the one placed inside the probe.