Apparatus and method for sampling fluid from reactor vessel

US6205869A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Sentry Equipment Corp. · US

Inventors

• John C. Schadt · Watertown, US
• Eugene R. Rommelfaenger · Neosho, US
• Michael D. Farrell · Brookfield, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 12, 1999
• Grant date: Mar 27, 2001
• Expiry date: Aug 12, 2019

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01N2001/2071
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A fluid-sampling method and apparatus are disclosed. The apparatus includes a valve assembly, an overflow chamber assembly, a vacuum assembly and a sample bottle mounting assembly in particular arrangements. In certain preferred embodiments the overflow chamber assembly has an inner vessel, preferably a standpipe, within an outer vessel which forms an overflow chamber in which fluid from the standpipe can be viewed. The valve assembly preferably includes a sampling valve with an outer shell, an insert member and a pivotable valve member therein. The pivotable valve member preferably has a main body portion with first and second circumferential grooves therein and a diagonal bore therethrough for properly directing fluid from and through particular ports in the insert member based on the position of the valve member. The method includes drawing the fluid from the reactor vessel through a valve assembly into an inner vessel of an overflow chamber assembly, overflowing the fluid from the inner vessel into an outer vessel of the overflow chamber assembly, and thereafter retrieving a sample from the inner vessel.