A Novel Mechanical Gas-Tight Sampler for Hydrothermal Fluids

Author

Chen, Ying ; Wu, Shijun ; Xie, Yingjun ; Yang, Canjun ; Zhang, Jiafan

Author_Institution

Zhejiang Univ., Hangzhou

Volume

32

Issue

3

fYear

2007

fDate

7/1/2007 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

603

Lastpage

608

Abstract

A new mechanical gas-tight sampler has been designed to collect hydrothermal fluids at the seafloor. A key feature of the sampler is the novel sample valve which is pressure balanced under deep sea, and actuated by the ram on a submersible´s manipulator. The sampler is designed to be deployed at the seafloor 3000 m underwater and can be used to sample hydrothermal fluid with temperature up to 400degC. Compressed gas is used to compensate for pressure reduction of sample fluids. Simulation of the flow system was conducted to estimate the fill rate. The sampler has been tested successfully in the first Sino-American Cooperative Deep Submergence Project from August 13 to September 3, 2005.

Keywords

marine engineering; oceanographic equipment; oceanographic techniques; seafloor phenomena; underwater vehicles; AD 2005 08 13 to 09 03; Sino-American Cooperative Deep Submergence Project; compressed gas; deep sea; hydrothermal fluid temperature; hydrothermal fluids sample; mechanical gas-tight sampler; pressure balanced poppet; seafloor; submersible manipulator; Frequency; Helium; Isobaric; Manipulators; Ocean temperature; Sampling methods; Sea floor; Testing; Valves; Vents; Deep sea; hydrothermal fluid; sampler; simulation;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Oceanic Engineering, IEEE Journal of

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0364-9059

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/JOE.2007.891887

Filename

4443158