Patent · US Expired

Process plant sample collection system and method

US5345828A · kind A · utility

4Cited by
11References
10Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJul 13, 1992
Grant dateSep 13, 1994
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 13, 2012

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01N2001/205
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A method and apparatus for obtaining a sample from a on stream plant operation is set forth. In a process plant, with a small pressure differential, fluid flow is provided through an inlet line and surplus is returned through an outlet line connected with the process plant. The inlet and outlet lines connect with a six port, position valve which is switched on rotation. There is a filling position for the valve wherein the filling position enables fluid from the process plant to flow through the inlet line and to fill a buffer tank. Sufficient flow is provided to enable purging of the inlet and outlet lines. Separately, there is a purge gas flow provided for a sample receiving container which is initially purged. On operation of the valve, the intermediate container is forced to flow into the sample receiving container through the valve at the urging the purge gas. A suitable housing is provided with a blanket of nitrogen for safety, and fugitive emissions to atmosphere are prevented. Any discharge from the equipment is through an appropriate filter to prevent atmospheric discharge.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.