GeoInsight HydraSleeve Manual

Standard Operating Procedure:
Sampling Groundwater with a HydraSleeve
Copyright2016GeoInsight
US Patent No. 6,481,300; No. 6,837,120 others pending

This guide should be used in addition to field manuals and instructions appropriate to the
chosen sampling device (i.e., HydraSleeve, SpeedBag or Super/Skinny Sleeve and W3
HybridSleeve).
Find the appropriate field manual and instructions on the HydraSleeve website at http://
www.hydrasleeve.com.
For more information about the HydraSleeve, or if you have questions, contact:
GeoInsight, P.O. Box 1266, Mesilla Park, NM 88047
800-996-2225, [email protected].
Copyright, GeoInsight.
Table of Contents
Introduction..................................................................................................................................... 1
Applications of the HydraSleeve..........................................................................................................1
Description of the HydraSleeve ...........................................................................................................3
Selecting the HydraSleeve Size to Meet Site-Specific Sampling Objectives................................... 4
HydraSleeve Deployment.....................................................................................................................5
Information Required Before Deploying a HydraSleeve............................................................. 5
HydraSleeve Placement............................................................................................................... 6
Procedures for Sampling with the HydraSleeve..................................................................................8
Measurement of Field Indicator Parameters..................................................................................11
Alternate Deployment Strategies............................................................................................... 11
Post-Sampling Activities.....................................................................................................................14
References..................................................................................................................................... 15

Standard Operating Procedure: Sampling Groundwater with the HydraSleeve (patents: 6,481,300; 6,837,120)
1
Copyright 2016 GeoInsight
Introduction
The HydraSleeve is classified as a no-purge (passive) grab sampling device, meaning that it is
used to collect groundwater samples directly from the screened interval of a well without having
to purge the well prior to sample collection. When it is used as described in this Standard
Operating Procedure (SOP), the HydraSleeve causes no drawdown in the well (until the sample
is withdrawn from the water column) and only minimal disturbance of the water column,
because it has a very thin cross section and it displaces very little water (<100 ml) during
deployment in the well. The HydraSleeve collects a sample from within the screen only. It
excludes water from any other part of the water column in the well through the use of a self-
sealing check valve at the top of the sampler. It is a single-use (disposable) sampler that is not
intended for reuse, so there are no decontamination requirements for the sampler itself.
The use of no-purge sampling as a means of collecting representative groundwater samples
depends on the natural movement of groundwater (under ambient hydraulic head) from the
formation adjacent to the well screen through the screen. Robin and Gillham (1987)
demonstrated the existence of a dynamic equilibrium between the water in a formation and the
water in a well screen installed in that formation, which results in formation-quality water
being available in the well screen for sampling at all times. No-purge sampling devices like
the HydraSleeve collect this formation-quality water as the sample, under undisturbed (non-
pumping) natural flow conditions. Samples collected in this manner generally provide more
conservative (i.e., higher concentration) values than samples collected using well-volume
purging, and values equivalent to samples collected using low-flow purging and sampling
(Parsons, 2005).
Applications of the HydraSleeve
The HydraSleeve can be used to collect representative samples of groundwater for all analytes
(volatile organic compounds [VOCs], semi-volatile organic compounds [SVOCs], common
metals, trace metals, major cations and anions, dissolved gases, total dissolved solids,
radionuclides, pesticides, PCBs, explosive compounds, and all other analytical parameters).
Designs are available to collect samples from wells from 1” inside diameter and larger. The
HydraSleeve can collect samples from wells of any yield, but it is especially well-suited to
collecting samples from low-yield wells, where other sampling methods can’t be used reliably
because their use results in dewatering of the well screen and alteration of sample chemistry
(McAlary and Barker, 1987).
The HydraSleeve can collect samples from wells of any depth, and it can be used for single-
event sampling or long-term groundwater monitoring programs. Because of its thin cross
section and flexible construction, it can be used in narrow, constricted or damaged wells where
rigid sampling devices may not fit. Using multiple HydraSleeves deployed in series along a
single suspension line or tether, it is also possible to conduct in-well vertical profiling in wells
in which contaminant concentrations are thought to be stratified.

Standard Operating Procedure: Sampling Groundwater with the HydraSleeve (patents: 6,481,300; 6,837,120)
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Copyright 2016 GeoInsight
As with all groundwater sampling devices, HydraSleeves should not be used to collect
groundwater samples from wells in which separate (non-aqueous) phase hydrocarbons (i.e.,
gasoline, diesel fuel or jet fuel) are present because of the possibilityof incorporating some of
the separate-phase hydrocarbon into the sample.

Standard Operating Procedure: Sampling Groundwater with the HydraSleeve (patents: 6,481,300; 6,837,120)
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Copyright 2016 GeoInsight
Description of the HydraSleeve
The basic HydraSleeve (Figure 1) consists of the following components*:
•A suspension line or tether (A.), attached to the spring clip or
directlyto the top of the sleeve to deploythe device into and
recover the device from the well. Tethers with depth
indicators marked in 1-foot intervals are available from the
manufacturer.
•A long, flexible, 4-mil thick lay-flat polyethylene sample
sleeve (C.) sealed at the bottom (this is the sample chamber),
which comes in different sizes, as discussed below with a
self-sealing reed-type flexible polyethylene check valve built
into the top of the sleeve (B.) to prevent water from entering
or exiting the sampler except during sample acquisition.
•A reusable stainless-steel weight with clip (D.), which is
attached to the bottom of the sleeve to carry it down the well
to its intended depth in the water column. Bottom weights
available from the manufacturer are 0.75” OD and are
available in a variety of sizes. An optional top weight may be
attached to the top of the HydraSleeve to carry it to depth and
to compress it at the bottom of the well (not shown in
Figure 1);
•A discharge tube that is used to puncture the HydraSleeve
after it is recovered from the well so the sample can be
decanted into sample bottles (not shown).
•Just above the self-sealing check valve at the top of the
sleeve are two holes which provide attachment points for the
spring clip and/or suspension line or tether. At the bottom of
the sample sleeve are two holes which provide attachment
points for the weight clip and weight.
*
Other configurations such as top weighted assemblies, Super/SkinnySleeves, Speedbags, and W3
Hybrids are available.
Note: The sample sleeve and the discharge tube are designed for one-time use and are
disposable. The spring clip, weight and weight clip may be reused after thorough cleaning.
Suspension cord is generally disposed after one use although, if it is dedicated to the well, it
may be reused at the discretion of the sampling personnel.

Standard Operating Procedure: Sampling Groundwater with the HydraSleeve (patents: 6,481,300; 6,837,120)
Copyright 2016 GeoInsight
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Selecting the HydraSleeve Size to Meet Site-Specific Sampling Objectives
It is important to understand that each HydraSleeve is able to collect a finite volume of sample
because, after the HydraSleeve is deployed, you only get one chance to collect an undisturbed
sample. Thus, the volume of sample required to meet your site-specific sampling and analytical
requirements will dictate the size of HydraSleeve you need to meet these requirements.
Table 1. Dimensions and Volumes of HydraSleeve Models.
Diameter Volume Length Lay-Flat Width Filled Dia.
2-Inch HydraSleeves
Standard 600 mls HydraSleeve
Standard 1-liter HydraSleeve
Super/SkinnySleeve1-liter
Super/SkinnySleeve 1.5-liter
Super/SkinnySleeve2-liter
~600mls 30” 2.5” 1.4”
~1 Liter 38” 3” 1.9”
~1 Liter 38” 2.5" 1.5”*
~1.5 Liters 52” 2.5” 1.5”*
~ 2Liters
66"
2.5"
1.5"*
4-Inch HydraSleeves
Standard 2.5 liter ~2 Liters 38” 4” 2.7”
*
o utside diameter on the Heavy Duty Universal Super/SkinnySleeves is 1.5" however
when using with schedule 40 hardware the O.D. of the assembly will be 1.9"
It's also recommended that you size the diameter of the HydraSleeve according to the
diameter of the well (i.e. use 2-inch HydraSleeves in 2-inch wells). Using smaller sleeves in
larger diameter wells (i.e. 2-inch HydraSleeves in 4-inch wells) will result in a longer fill
rate and will require special retrieval instructions (explained later).
The volume of sample collected by the HydraSleeve varies with the diameter and length of the
HydraSleeve. Dimensions and volumes of available HydraSleeve models are detailed in Table 1.
HydraSleeves can be custom-fabricated by GeoInsight in varying diameters and lengths to
meet specific volume requirements. HydraSleeves can also be deployed in series (i.e., multiple
HydraSleeves attached to one tether) to collect additional sample to meet specific volume
requirements, as described below.
If you have questions regarding the availability of sufficient volume of sample to satisfy laboratory
requirements for analysis, it is recommended that you contact the laboratory to discuss the minimum
volumes needed for each suite of analytes. Laboratories often require only 10% to 25% of the volume
they specify to complete analysis for specific suites of analytes, so they can often work with much
smaller sample volumes that can easily be supplied using a HydraSleeve.

Standard Operating Procedure: Sampling Groundwater with the HydraSleeve (patents: 6,481,300; 6,837,120)
Copyright 2016 GeoInsight
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HydraSleeve Deployment
Information Required Before Deploying a HydraSleeve
Before installing a HydraSleeve in any well, you will need to know the following:
•The inside diameter of the well
•The length of the well screen
•The water level in the well
•The position of the well screen in the well
•The total depth of the well
The inside diameter of the well is used to determine the appropriate HydraSleeve diameter for
use in the well. The other information is used to determine the proper placement of the
HydraSleeve in the well to collect a representative sample from the screen (see HydraSleeve
Placement, below), and to determine the appropriate length of tether to attach to the HydraSleeve
to deploy it at the appropriate position in the well.
Most of this information (with the exception of the water level) should be available from the well
log; if not, it will have to be collected bysome other means. The inside diameter of the well can
be measured at the top of the well casing, and the total depth of the well can be measured by
sounding the bottom of the well with a weighted tape. The position and length of the well screen
may have to be determined using a down-hole camera if a well log is not available. The water
level in the well can be measured using any commonly available water-level gauge.

Standard Operating Procedure: Sampling Groundwater with the HydraSleeve (patents: 6,481,300; 6,837,120)
Copyright 2016 GeoInsight
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HydraSleeve Placement
The HydraSleeve is designed tocollect a sampledirectly from the well screen. It fillsby pullingit up
through the screen a distance equivalent to the length of the sampler when correctly sized to the well
diameter. This upward motion causes the top check valve to open, which allows the device to fill. To
optimize sample recovery, it is recommended that the HydraSleeve be placed in the well so that the bottom
weight rests on the bottom of the well and the top of the HydraSleeve is as close to the bottom of the well
screen as possible. This should allow the sampler to fill before the top of the device reaches the top of the
screen as it is pulled up through the water column, and ensure that only water from the screen is collected
as the sample. In short-screen wells, or wells with a short water column, it may be necessary to use a top-
weight on the HydraSleeve to compress it in the bottom of the well so that, when it is recovered, it has room
to fill before it reaches the top of the screen.
Example
2” ID PVC well, 50’ total depth, 10’ screen at the bottom of the well, with water level above
the screen (the entire screen contains water).
CorrectPlacement(figure2):Using a
standard HydraSleeve for a 2” well
(2. 5 ” flat width/1.5” filled OD x 30”
long, 600 ml volume), deploy the
sampler so the weight (a 5 oz., 2.5”
long weight with a 2” long clip) rests at
the bottom of the well. The top of the
sleeve is thus set at ~34” above the
bottom of the well. When the sampler
is recovered, it will be pulled upward
approximately 30” before it is filled;
therefore, it is full (and the top check
valve closes) at approximately 64” (5.3
feet) above the bottom of the well,
which is well before the sampler
reaches the top of the screen. In this
example, only water from the screen is
collected as a sample.
Figure 2. Correct Placement of HydraSleeve.

Standard Operating Procedure: Sampling Groundwater with the HydraSleeve (patents: 6,481,300; 6,837,120)
Copyright 2016 GeoInsight
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This example illustrates one of manytypes of HydraSleeve placements. More complex
placements are discussed in a later section.
NOTE:Using smallerdiameterHydraSleeves(2-inch)in largerdiameterwells(4-inch) causesa
slower fill rate. Special retrieval methods are necessary if this is your set up (shown later in this
document).
Incorrect Placement (figure 3): If the well
screen in this example was only 5’ long, and the
HydraSleeve was placed as above, it would not
fill before the top of the device reached the top
of the well screen, so the sample would include
water from above the screen, which may not
have the same chemistry.
The solution? Deploy the HydraSleeve
with a top weight, so that it is collapsed
to within 6”of the bottom of the well.
When the HydraSleeve is recovered, it
will fill within 36” (3 feet) from the
bottom of the well, or 2-feet before the
sampler reaches the top of the screen, so
it collects only water from the screen as
the sample.
Figure 3. Incorrect placement of HydraSleeve.

Standard Operating Procedure: Sampling Groundwater with the HydraSleeve (patents: 6,481,300; 6,837,120)
Copyright 2016 GeoInsight
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Procedures for Sampling with the HydraSleeve
Collecting a groundwater sample with a HydraSleeve is usually a simple one-person operation.
I. Assembling the Basic HydraSleeve*
1. Remove the HydraSleeve from its packaging, unfold it, and hold it byits top.
2. Crimp the top of the HydraSleeve by folding the hard polyethylene reinforcing strips at
the holes.
3. Attach the spring clip to the holes to ensure that the top will remain open until the
sampler is retrieved.
4. Attach the tether to the spring clip bytying a knot in the tether.
5. Fold the flaps with the two holes at the bottom of the HydraSleeve together to align
the holes and slide the weight clip through the holes.
6. Attach a weight to the bottom of the weight clip to ensure that the HydraSleeve will
descend to the bottom of the well.
*See Super/SkinnySleeve assembly manual and HydraSleeve Field Manual for other assembly
instructions.
Note:Alternatively,ifspring clipsare not being utilized, attach thetether toone
(NOT both) of the holes at the top of the Hydrasleeve by tying a knot in the tether.
Note: Always wear sterile gloves when handling and discharging the HydraSleeve.
Note: Before deploying the HydraSleeve in the well, collect the depth-to-water
measurement that you will use to determine the preferred position of the HydraSleeve in
the well. This measurement may also be used with measurements from other wells to
create a groundwater contour map. If necessary, also measure the depth to the bottom of
the well to verify actual well depth to confirm your decision on placement of the
HydraSleeve in the water column.
Measure the correct amount of tether needed to suspend the HydraSleeve in the well so that
the weight will rest on the bottom of the well (or at your preferred position in the well).
Make sure to account for the need to leave a few feet of tether at the top of the well to
allow recovery of the sleeve.