Volatile organic compound monitoring

Abstract

A system, method and apparatus for monitoring the subsurface at facilities for the presence of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). A surface penetration is made in a facility surface providing access to the subsurface soil beneath the facility. A soil probe is placed in communication with the soil beneath the facility surface and used to withdraw samples of soil gas from the pore space within the soil. The soil probe includes a monitoring port configured to seal the surface penetration and minimize the movement of undesirable materials between the facility and the subsurface via the monitoring port. The soil probe has an end filter in communication with the subsurface under the facility. The monitoring port is coupled to a sampling pump used to withdraw the soil gas sample. Soil gas samples are periodically obtained and analyzed for the presence of VOCs.

1 . A method for monitoring the subsurface under a facility for volatile organic compounds, comprising: 
 evaluating a facility for applicability of subsurface monitoring of volatile organic compounds;    if subsurface monitoring of volatile organic compounds is appropriate at the facility, determining the location at which to monitor subsurface volatile organic compounds at the facility;    installing a volatile organic compound monitoring station at the determined location at the facility, which installation includes positioning the monitoring station within a surface penetration such that the monitoring station engages a wall of the surface penetration;    collecting soil vapor samples using the volatile organic compound monitoring station; and    analyzing the collected soil vapor sample for the presence of volatile organic compounds.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein determining the location at which to monitor subsurface volatile organic compounds at the facility is based on at least one of the proximity to where volatile organic compounds are found at the facility or the location where volatile organic compound release to the subsurface under the facility is made possible by the facility structure.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising if volatile organic compounds are present in the collected soil vapor sample, investigating the subsurface under the facility to determine if significant quantities of volatile organic compounds are present.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising if volatile organic compounds are not present in the collected soil vapor sample, maintaining data related to the collected soil vapor sample.  
   
   
       5 . A method for installing a volatile organic compound monitoring station for sampling soil gas in the subsurface under a facility, comprising: 
 creating a surface penetration at a facility;    inserting a monitoring station having at least one securing member into the surface penetration such that the at least one securing member engages a wall of the surface penetration to position the monitoring station in the surface penetration, the monitoring station comprising a mounting plate and a generally tubular member extending substantially perpendicularly from the mounting plate; and    forming a seal between the monitoring station and the facility surface, wherein forming a seal between the monitoring station and the facility surface comprises applying a sealant to the facility surface substantially around the surface penetration to facilitate creation of the seal between the monitoring station and the facility surface and positioning the mounting plate on the seal having the generally tubular member extending into the penetration.    
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein forming a seal between the monitoring station and the facility surface further comprises applying a sealant to the facility surface substantially around the surface penetration to facilitate creation of the seal between the monitoring station and the facility surface.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the monitoring station has a hollow, generally tubular shape and further comprising closing the monitoring station by inserting a monitoring station cap into the hollow, generally tubular-shaped monitoring station.  
   
   
       8 . A soil probe for monitoring the subsurface under a facility surface for volatile organic compounds, comprising: 
 a monitoring port having an end filter in communication with the subsurface under the facility surface and at least one securing member engaging the subsurface under the facility surface so that the end filter of the monitoring port extends into the subsurface under the facility surface;    a monitoring port cap configured to close the monitoring port to minimize the movement of undesirable materials between the facility and the subsurface via the monitoring port; and    a sampling adaptor configured to interface with the monitoring port and a sampling pump to allow the withdrawal of a soil gas sample from the subsurface under the facility surface.    
   
   
       9 . The soil probe of  claim 8 , wherein: 
 the monitoring port is a substantially hollow, generally tubular-shaped member having a threaded interior; and    the monitoring port cap has a threaded exterior corresponding to and configured to interface with the threaded interior of the monitoring port.    
   
   
       10 . The soil probe of  claim 8 , wherein: 
 the monitoring port has a locking aperture; and    further comprising a locking tool for use in the installation of the monitoring port, the locking tool having an end corresponding in size and shape to the locking aperture of the monitoring port.    
   
   
       11 . The soil probe of  claim 8 , wherein: 
 the monitoring port cap has turning recesses formed therein; and    further comprising a cap tool for use in the installation of the monitoring port cap, the cap tool having turning pins corresponding in size and shape to the turning recesses of the monitoring port cap.    
   
   
       12 . The soil probe of  claim 8 , wherein the monitoring port cap has at least one sealing means designed to create a substantially liquid and airtight seal between the monitoring port cap and the monitoring port when the monitoring port cap is used to close the monitoring port.