The Snap Sampler is a patented (US Pat. 7,178,415) groundwater sampling device that employs a unique double-end-opening bottle. Bottles are available in 40ml VOA vial size in glass; or 125ml and 350ml sizes in plastic.
To operate, Snap Samplers are loaded with bottles, "Snap" caps are set into an open position, then the Samplers are deployed downhole with an attachment/trigger line.
The Snap Sampler bottles seal under the water surface after simply pulling the trigger at the well head.The trigger releases a PFA Teflon-coated, stainless steel spring that seals PFA Teflon end caps onto the bottle.
The end caps are designed to seal the water sample within the bottles with no headspace vapor.Once the closed vial is retrieved from the well, you prepare the bottle with standard septa screw caps and a label.
The 40 ml VOA vial can be used directly in standard laboratory autosampler equipment.The sample is never exposed to the open air from the well to the gas chromatograph.
The 125ml or 350ml POLY bottle also seals in situ. The plastic bottle can be used for larger volume sample needs, metals or other analytes where a plastic bottle is preferred. For non-volatiles, this bottle can be opened at the well head to combine in a larger bottle, transfer to a glass bottle (e.g. for SVOCs), or just to remove the internal spring before acidifying a metal sample.
Snap Samplers with 40ml and 125ml bottles fit in 2-inch or larger monitoring wells. Snap Samplers with 350ml bottles fit in 4-inch or larger monitoring wells.
Here's how the sampler works:
Click on the images above or below to access a PDF file of "Snap Sampler Deployment Instructions"
Click on the images below to access a PDF file of "Snap Sampler Bottle Preparation"
To learn even more details about using the Snap Sampler and how it easily fits into a typical monitoring program...
