Combined Core and Grab Sediment Sampler with Closing Mechanism for Extracting Unique Undisturbed Samples

Kurzfassung

A London based SME have developed a soft sediment sampler capable of extracting standard earth and clay sediment samples as well as sediments from the bottom of canals, lakes and from suspensions in water too. The device combines the grab and core sampling mechanisms to provide unique samples. The SME wants to talk to companies and academics working in the earth sciences and related sectors interested in commercialising the device and applying to their industry.

Details

Current devices in use are either grab or core samplers that typically use a vacuum piston which has limitations when attempting to extract samples of sediment suspended in water. Grab samplers provide short samples with an indicative quality and core samplers need to produce cores which must show the stacked sediment layers which are of most importance.
The device developed here incorporates both a core and grab sampler which employs a mechanical separator (no vacuum). It is made of a small number of parts which can be easily assembled or dismantled. Samples are automatically sealed and all recovered cores are retained in transparent plastic liners which are end capped and stored in an inner plastic tube which ensures safe and easy transport to the laboratory.

Innovative Aspects:
Samples obtained with this device are certain to be undisturbed and will also keep their original water content. This is a unique offering which allows samples of a quality and composition which have not previously been possible using the grab or core sampler design. This is a simple and effective solution to undisturbed sampling of soft sediment with preservation of the natural state of the sample.
A company could use this technology to benefit their business rather than using existing samplers because it will produce better quality undisturbed samples consistently.