Design, Constrution, and Testing of a Multilevel Sampler

A multilevel sampler was constructed to be placed in a corehole in rock. The device allows for pore water samples to be taken from different depths inside the rock. The sampling ports must be hydrologically isolated with packers in the interstitial spaces of the corehole between the sampling ports. Although commercial multilevel samplers are available the cost is high, the goal of this project is to build an economical multilevel sampler.

First, research articles were found in academic journals to view different prototypes of multilevel samplers. After consulting previous designs a new design suitable for the field area was finalized. The final design consists of a PVC pipe with inflatable packers and Tefllon sampling tubing. Construction materials were tested for suitability. The sampler was constructed and tested in the laboratory by placing it inside of a mock-corehole; a plexiglass pipe. The sampler will be used as part of a larger NSF funded field based research project in winter 2012. The poster will detail the design and testing of the sampler and assembly instructions will be available as a handout.