Do you have any helpful hints for sampling in freezing conditions
Any helpful hints for using low flow sampling in freezing conditions?
I have used low flow sampling at temperatures down to 45 degrees below zero. If it is cold your concerns are freezing of the air source and freezing of the discharge line.
Freezing of the air source can be overcome by using a generator or a nitrogen tank. You cannot use a CO2 tank. Freezing of the water line is another issue. Once you start pumping the water line should be ok, but if the line is frozen before you get to the site you will have to thaw the line before you can pump the well. If it’s extremely cold you could have an issue getting the groundwater samples into the bottles without cracking them. They fill with water and split sometimes just by the water hitting the glass or expanding rapidly. We overcame this by simply extending the sampling tubing into the sampling van and then sampled over a bucket in the van.
I have used low flow sampling at temperatures down to 45 degrees below zero. If it is cold your concerns are freezing of the air source and freezing of the discharge line.
Freezing of the air source can be overcome by using a generator or a nitrogen tank. You cannot use a CO2 tank. Freezing of the water line is another issue. Once you start pumping the water line should be ok, but if the line is frozen before you get to the site you will have to thaw the line before you can pump the well. If it’s extremely cold you could have an issue getting the groundwater samples into the bottles without cracking them. They fill with water and split sometimes just by the water hitting the glass or expanding rapidly. We overcame this by simply extending the sampling tubing into the sampling van and then sampled over a bucket in the van.