Means and method of soil water desorption

Abstract

A soil desorption device and method which utilizes an easily manufacturable and assemblable pressure cell to contain soil samples. The pressure cells are in turn easily attachable to pneumatic pressure manifolds and can be independently valved. The cells are also easily adapted to be connected to collection containers for any desorbed fluid. Each cell utilizes a cylindrical container having rubber gaskets at opposite ends and which can be sandwiched between top and bottom plates to seal the container. A thin nylon membrane having small pores is positioned at the bottom of the container and the bottom plate has apertures to allow fluid forced through the membrane to pass to the fluid collection devices. This cell presents low impedance to fluid flow, produces high flow rates, and allows maintenance of good seals and accurate pressurization of each cell. These and other features and advantages allow for more economical and better soil desorption procedures and soil hydraulic characteristic measurements.