Why Use Bladder Pumps?

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Defensible Data

We all know that bladder pumps are ideal for obtaining extremely accurate, representative groundwater samples. For this reason site regulators, owners, and consultants rely on bladder pumps for reproducible data that is defensible, time and time again.

Making the Right Choice

When selecting a groundwater sampler, there are some key factors to consider. The physical attributes of the well: diameter, calculated purge volumes, depth to water and sampling intervals, and the accessibly to the well for transporting sampling equipment. The well hydraulics, for recharge and recovery, turbidity, etc. must also be taken into account. The aim is to collect a high quality groundwater sample as efficiently and economically as possible. Bladder pumps are EPA approved for low flow sampling and groundwater collection for Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) analysis.

Perceived Negatives

Despite their benefits, misconceptions sometimes deter potential users from upgrading to a bladder pump. Perceived complexity of equipment and operation are misplaced on these highly portable, and easy to control instruments.

 

Proven Positives

Although there may be a high initial capital investment, the bladder pump will pay for itself through time savings and defensible data. The controller is only purchased once, and can be re-used on numerous sites and sampling applications. The air supply can be rented inexpensively. Dedication of customized, pre-assembled systems significantly reduce the time needed in the field for setup. If portable pumps are required, then pumps are easily disassembled for decontamination between sampling events.

Using low flow methods, only the sampling zone is purged, thus reducing purge volumes, sampling time, and disposal costs. High quality samples with no turbidity or de-gassing also cut down the need for sample filtering or repeated sampling.

 

 

Sampling Tips

Determining the amount of applied pumping pressure to retrieve a sample is not difficult. 1 psi of pressure can raise a 2.3 ft column of water, which is about half of the column height of water in feet, expressed as psi. e.g. if the Bladder Pump's intake is at 100 ft below ground surface, you would require approximately 50 psi of pressure to bring a sample to ground surface, add an extra 10 psi to allow for line loss.

When selecting a pump controller, make sure your choice has easy to follow pre-set pumping options. This helps take the guesswork out of determining suitable drive and vent times. For example, when sampling within a well with a ‘fast’ recharge rate, select a ‘high’ cycle rate (~6 sec/cycle of drive and vent times), versus a ‘slow’ recharge application, where a cycle rate of 115 seconds may be more suitable.

Solinst Integra™ Bladder Pumps

Solinst offers the Integra Bladder Pump, which is versatile in design and application:

Stainless steel pumps with Teflon® bladders are ideal for VOC monitoring

Teflon bladders are ideal for dedication

1.66” (42 mm) diameter standard, or 1” (25 mm) dia. for narrow applications

Stainless steel is effective up to 500 ft (150 m) below grade, and even lower using a drop tube

Operates effectively at almost any angle

Optional freeze protection available

Customized, pre-assembled systems for dedication, or portable version.

Solinst Model 800 Low-Pressure Packers to further reduce purge volumes

Still pumps effectively in water only 2” (50 mm) above pump inlet

Inexpensive disposable Polyethylene bladders are available

PVC pumps to sample for metals

‘One touch’ pre-sets, make operation easy

 

Summary

Solinst Integra Bladder Pumps give defensible data due to consistent, high quality samples in all types of applications. They have great potential to provide both time and cost savings. The advantages far outweigh the negative assumptions that may be misplaced on these instruments. The time spent in customizing and operating these systems should be considered a wise investment. They provide many benefits time and time again, in the long term.

 

® Solinst is a registered trademark of Solinst Canada Ltd.
® Teflon is a registered trademark of Dupont Corp.