Geotech Solar Sipper User manual

Rev 10/12/2017 Part # 16550176
Geotech Sipper
Installation and Operation Manual

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Table of Contents
Section 1: System Description................................................................................................................................4
Function and Theory ..............................................................................................................................................4
Sipper Operation ....................................................................................................................................................4
Recovery Rates......................................................................................................................................................5
Section 2: System Installation.................................................................................................................................6
Installation of the Solar Sipper ...............................................................................................................................6
Solar Panel Location..............................................................................................................................................6
Mounting the Control Panel....................................................................................................................................8
Solar Sipper Wiring ................................................................................................................................................9
Adding Additional Panels .................................................................................................................................... 10
AC Sipper Wiring................................................................................................................................................. 10
Grounding............................................................................................................................................................ 11
Connect All Tubing Runs..................................................................................................................................... 11
Deploy the Stainless Steel Pump and Skimmer ................................................................................................. 11
Product Recovery Tank....................................................................................................................................... 12
Section 3: Timer/Cycle Settings and Display Descriptions .............................................................................. 14
Setup Displays .................................................................................................................................................... 14
Start (Runtime) Displays ..................................................................................................................................... 15
Stopping Sipper Operation (Runtime)................................................................................................................. 16
System Status and Diagnostic Displays.............................................................................................................. 17
Alarm (Condition) and Fault Displays.................................................................................................................. 19
PCB Damage ...................................................................................................................................................... 19
Section 4: System Operation................................................................................................................................ 22
Establishing the Product Recovery Cycle Time.................................................................................................. 22
Initiating the Sipper Runtime............................................................................................................................... 23
Fluid Viscosity ..................................................................................................................................................... 24
Recovery Tank is Full.......................................................................................................................................... 24
Section 5: System Maintenance........................................................................................................................... 25
Sipper Controller ................................................................................................................................................. 25
Weekly Maintenance....................................................................................................................................... 25
Monthly Maintenance...................................................................................................................................... 25
Quarterly Maintenance.................................................................................................................................... 25
Yearly Maintenance ........................................................................................................................................ 26
Stainless Steel Pump and Skimmer.................................................................................................................... 26
Solar Panel.......................................................................................................................................................... 26
Solenoid Maintenance (Stuck Solenoid)............................................................................................................. 27
Section 6: System Troubleshooting .................................................................................................................... 30
Section 7: System Specifications ........................................................................................................................ 33
Section 8: System Schematics............................................................................................................................. 35
Section 9: Parts and Accessories........................................................................................................................ 39
Sipper Pump and Skimmer Parts and Accessories ............................................................................................ 40
Installation Guide: Desiccant Dryer Kit for Geotech Sipper (Solar or AC).......................................................... 41
The Warranty.......................................................................................................................................................... 44

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NOTE
DOCUMENTATION CONVENTIONS
This manual uses the following conventions to present information:
An exclamation point icon indicates a WARNING of a situation or condition
that could lead to personal injury or death. You should not proceed until you
read and thoroughly understand the WARNING message.
A raised hand icon indicates CAUTION information that relates to a situation or
condition that could lead to equipment malfunction or damage. You should not
proceed until you read and thoroughly understand the CAUTION message.
A note icon indicates NOTE information. Notes provide additional or
supplementary information about an activity or concept.
WARNING
CAUTION

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In order to ensure your Solar Sipper has a long service life and operates
properly, adhere to the following cautions and read this manual before use.
Controller power input source must not exceed specified ratings.
Controller may not operate properly with wiring not supplied by
manufacturer.
Avoid spraying fluid directly at controller.
Never submerge controller.
Avoid pulling on wires to unplug controller wiring.
Avoid using a controller with obvious physical damage.
To prevent damage, DO NOT drop the controller.
WARNING
Do not operate this equipment if it has visible signs of significant physical
damage other than normal wear and tear.

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The following applies only to users in European countries:
This product is designated for separate collection at an appropriate collection point. Do
not dispose of as household waste.
For more information, contact the seller or the local authorities in charge of waste
management.
Notice for consumers in Europe:
This symbol indicates that this product is to be collected separately.

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Section 1: System Description
Function and Theory
The Geotech Solar Sipper (Sipper) is a unique solar powered hydrocarbon recovery system used for
operating an active down well remediation pump with an attached Skimmer. It is designed for
applications where electrical power is not available or not economically feasible. Electrical power used
to run the Solar Sipper is generated on-site by solar panels. The internal compressor is capable of
producing up to 20” (51 cm) Hg vacuum and 100 PSI (6.9 bar) pressure. This alternating
vacuum/pressure process allows the user to recover a wide range of fluids, from very viscous to ultra-
light Non-Aqueous Phase Liquid (NAPL), from depths as deep as 180’(4.6 m) below ground surface.
Optional multiple channel controllers can operate up to eight (8) pumps in separate recovery wells.
The standard Solar Sipper uses a 12VDC, 75-amp hour battery that is charged with an attached 85
Watt solar panel. Systems can be expanded to utilize several solar panels and larger capacity batteries.
Multiple channel controllers can be implemented in areas where there are multiple recovery wells within
close proximity of each other. Up to eight (8) separate wells can be operated per controller.
In general, Geotech recommends a maximum distance of 500’(152 m) (including the well depth)
between the Sipper controller and the pump. Longer runs can be accommodated but are not
recommended. Careful consideration must be given to additional power requirements as well as
protecting the tubing from damage. In certain situations, multiple controllers with separate solar panels
and batteries may be a better solution on sites of a relatively larger area. The optional AC Sipper is
designed for locations where line voltage is readily available.
Ease of Deployment
The Solar Sipper can reduce overall project costs and dramatically improve deployment as follows:
Reduces the time and cost for a power line to be run to a site.
Eliminates the need for electricians to do install work and permitting.
The simple and safe low voltage system can be installed without special training or licensing
and requires minimal experience.
No trenching or transformer equipment is required.
Relocating equipment to follow a plume or to adjust to new site characterization information is
fast and easy.
Sipper Operation
The Sipper controller has an integrated programmable cycle timer for controlling the internal
compressor vacuum, pressure, and the time between cycles. This allows the user to calibrate the
Sipper to run at its most efficient rate based on the down well product recharge rate, product viscosity,
and Skimmer depth.
In this manual, a stainless steel pump with Skimmer, or any other down well
assembly used with a Sipper system, will be referred to as a pump. A chart
containing a range of viscous products can be found in Section 4: System
Operation.

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During the vacuum timer cycle, vacuum is applied to the air line tubing, stainless steel pump, and
intake; helping the product to flow through the oleophilic/hydrophobic mesh screen and into the pump
cavity. When the programmed vacuum time expires, the system initiates the pressure timer cycle.
During the pressure timer cycle, air is compressed into the air line tubing, evacuating the product from
the pump. Once the programmed pressure time has expired, the compressor shuts down and the
system initiates the programmed delay timer. Upon expiration of the delay timer, the process is
repeated.
On multiple channel Sippers the vacuum, pressure, and delay cycles are set individually per well. This
accommodates recharge and recovery rates unique to individual wells on the same site. A variety of
timer setups can be implemented to maximize recovery. For example: different wells can be pumped
more or less often than others to maximize recovery. The programming prioritizes the pumps so one
pump is operational at a time.
The Sipper controller has several feedback data recording mechanisms that can be used to gauge
effectiveness of the remediation system. Two cycle counter screens are available, one records the total
lifetime cycles of the controller, the other counter is resettable by the user for monitoring purposes.
These cycle counts can be compared with total recovered fluid to determine how much fluid is being
recovered per pump cycle. There is also a runtime clock which only increments when the battery is
charged and when the system is operating. This clock can be compared with actual recorded
deployment time to determine if more solar panels are required to keep the system running. More on
this can be found in Section 6: System Troubleshooting of this manual.
The Solar Sipper Controller is dependent upon the annual average solar resources, which can vary
from region to region. Geotech assists in determining how much potential recovery can be expected
depending on where the site is and how many solar panels will be required. More information about
solar panel location can be found in Section 2: System Installation.
Recovery Rates
The available solar energy and number of solar panels will determine how quickly available product can
potentially be recovered. Recovery will ultimately be limited by the recharge rate of the product layer in
the well. Repeatedly removing the entire product layer can reduce fluid conductivity to the well and in
turn reduce recovery rates overall.
When the product layer is completely depleted, air is invited into the well screen and surrounding sub
surface soil or strata. This air can act to block fluid conductivity as well as to promote bacteria growth
and breakdown of the product being recovered. This will eventually ‘clog’ the fluid path to the well and
so reduce the product layer recharge rate. Geotech recommends recovering smaller amounts of
product more frequently. This will promote continued fluid conductivity to the well.
In the event that the intake screen, discharge line or check valve should get blocked, remove the
Skimmer and clean the intake cartridge and connections as described within the System Maintenance
Section of the Geotech Pump and Skimmer Assembly Manual.
Geotech offers a variety of tools and training to provide you with information on properly maintaining
your Sipper system and on obtaining a recharge rate. Contact Geotech to discuss your specific
application in detail.

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Section 2: System Installation
Solar Sipper systems can be modularized and delivered on pallets that can be quickly and easily
deployed. This simplifies deployment where existing concrete pads or other infrastructure, does not
already exist. Geotech also offers training on proper installation of your Sipper system at its Denver,
Colorado manufacturing headquarters.
Installation of the Solar Sipper
Since the solar array and battery have live voltage, exercise caution when handling either item. Special
attention is required to ensure that the correct polarity is observed when making connections to the
battery and solar panels. Even though the system runs on a safe low voltage, the battery is capable of
storing very large amounts of energy from a low impedance source. This can pose a fire and burn
hazard.
Special care must be taken to avoid shorting out (making contact between both positive and negative
terminals) the battery with any tool or bare grounding wire. Leave protective caps in place and only
terminate a wire when you have verified it is the correct polarity (positive or negative.) The system can
tolerate reverse polarity connections as long as the ON/OFF switch remains in the OFF position.
Solar Panel Location
The annual average solar resources will vary from region to region. Geotech assists in determining how
much recovery you can expect (depending on where the site is located in the world) and how many
solar panels will be required. The site latitude will determine seasonal differences in recovery rate. For
example, in the northern hemisphere recovery rates will decline over the winter months and increase
during the summer months.
Site-specific information must be considered. Large objects like tress or building structures can block
sunlight from the reaching the solar panels. To maximize sun exposure, solar panels can be mounted
Sipper installations are to be performed by qualified personnel. If you are not
familiar with electrical power equipment, contact a qualified technician to assist
you with your installation.
AC Sipper Controller - Ensure the main line is turned off at the breaker and
that the ON/OFF switch for the control panel is in the OFF position before
proceeding with ANY external or internal wiring.
The standard Geotech Sipper is designed for installation and operation in a non-
hazardous, non-classified location with intrinsically safe extension into a hazardous
classified location. Geotech does not determine classification of a location.
Classification of location is subject to local jurisdiction enforcement of NFPA
regulations. All installations should be performed in accordance with NEC.
FPN: NEC 2008 section 500.5 (A) classification of locations says:
Through the exercise of ingenuity in the layout of electrical installations for
hazardous (classified) locations, it is frequently possible to locate much of the
equipment in an unclassified location and, thus, to reduce the amount of special
equipment required. FPNs are informational only and are not enforceable as
requirements of the NEC.

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on top of poles or other available structures. Other unpredictable factors, such as more or less cloud
cover, must be also be considered when planning solar power capacity requirements.
Pick a location with a maximum exposure to sunlight. Avoid shadows, especially during the middle of
the day. Orient the module so that the surface will receive the maximum sun exposure over the year for
your particular site. The general guideline for positioning is as follows:
Solar panels should face south in the northern hemisphere and north in the southern
hemisphere.
A solar panel's angle should be set to the equivalent of your location’s latitude; plus 15 degrees
during the winter or minus 15 degrees in the summer.
For example: Denver, Colorado’s latitude is around 39 degrees. In winter, the panel should be raised to
54 degrees (from 0°) for optimum sun. For permanent installations, setting the panel angle equal to
your latitude will suffice.
Figure 2-1: Side view of solar panel assembly