Measuring and testing – Sampler – sample handling – etc. – Conduit or passageway section capture chamber
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-12
2001-03-27
Raevis, Robert (Department: 2856)
Measuring and testing
Sampler, sample handling, etc.
Conduit or passageway section capture chamber
Reexamination Certificate
active
06205869
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to the sampling of fluid for testing and, more particularly, to apparatus and methods for periodically sampling fluids from reactor vessels while reactions are in progress.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A variety of systems for sampling fluids from reactors and tanks are known. However, numerous disadvantages and shortcomings exist with prior systems, and there is a need for improvement to overcome such disadvantages and shortcomings.
Some examples of commercially-available prior fluid-sampling devices are the “Safesamp Reactor Sampling Systems” sold by Technova AG, of Sweden, and the “Neotecha Sampling Systems” sold by Grinnell Corporation, of Exeter, N.H.
The Safesamp system's basic arrangement includes a flanged dip pipe for connection to the tank with the dip pipe extending downwardly into the fluid in the tank, a bottom flange with a suction hose mounted at the top and extending downward through the dip pipe and into the tank fluid and a perpendicular connection port in communication with the dip pipe to pressurize the tank. The bottom flange is connected to a flanged “charging” ball valve. A middle flange is connected to the charging valve and has a sightglass with a ball float mounted on top and a perpendicular port located below the sightglass to direct flow for sampling. An upper flange is mounted on top of the sightglass and includes the sightglass ball seat, perpendicular connections for auxiliaries and a perpendicular port for a vent return. The perpendicular sampling port located in the middle flange is connected to a flanged isolation ball valve which is connected to the sampling assembly. The sampling assembly includes a sample bottle which is vented through another isolation ball valve which is connected to the vent return port in the upper flange.
To obtain a sample, the “charging” ball valve is opened (the sampling isolation valve is closed) and the fluid is drawn up through the suction tube (by supplying, if need, a vacuum via the upper flange connection or pressurizing the tank via the lower flange connection). The fluid flows upwardly, fills the perpendicular sampling port in the middle flange (to the isolation ball valve) and continues filling the sightglass. As fluid fills the sightglass, the ball float rises with the level until it reaches the top of the sightglass where the ball then seats against the ball seat located in the upper flange and flow stops. The operator closes the “charging” ball valve and opens the sampling isolation valve and the vent valve. The fluid flows by gravity from the sightglass through the perpendicular sampling port in the middle flange, through the sampling isolation valve and into the sample bottle. Any entrapped gases are vented through the vent connection located between the sampling bottle and the vent return line.
The above-described sampling system has drawbacks in that the sample fluid volume would consist of partial previous sampling fluid if the system is not purged after each sampling, or would nonetheless consist of the first volume of fluid that is drawn from the top of the tank without any system fluid flushing first. It would be preferable to drain off the first and perhaps subsequent volumes of fluid so that the fluid sent to the sampling bottle is a sample that has not been mixed with previous samples or other contaminants. Such sampling system can only get an unmixed sample within the sampling bottle by drawing numerous cycles of fluid through the system. This is a time-consuming and inconvenient process, and is wasteful of the often expensive chemicals being mixed in the reactor vessel.
The aforementioned Neotecha systems, sold by Grinnell Corporation, are generally similar to the above-described Safesamp Samplers. The Neotecha system samples fluid from reactors for continuous media circulation and pH monitoring. The Neotecha samplers utilize double-diaphragm pumps and are relatively compact in design. The Neotecha samplers also use lined stainless steel braided hoses and connections to facilitate quick start-ups and convenient changes. They have a pH probe connection device which allows adaptation to most commercially-available pH probes, and various auxiliary ports to facilitate cleaning of wetted surfaces and additional vessel access.
However, the Neotecha systems have the problem that, when chemical compositions in the reactor vessel have particulates or become viscous to some extent, the compositions can tend to clog or damage the pump. This leads to costly down time for cleaning and repair.
These and other existing devices for sampling fluids from reactor vessels have significant problems. This invention addresses and overcomes such problems.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide an improved fluid-sampling apparatus which easily and reliably gives properly-representative samples from a reactor vessel.
Another object of this invention is to provide an improved in-process fluid-sampling apparatus which is reliably useful for a wide variety of reaction fluids, including mixtures with significant particulates and/or raised viscosities.
Yet another object of this invention is to provide an improved fluid-sampling apparatus which gives reliably-representative samples quickly, without any need for repeated withdrawal of fluids from the reactor vessel.
Another object of the invention is to provide an improved fluid-sampling apparatus which avoids waste of valuable reaction fluids.
Another object of the invention is to provide an improved fluid-sampling apparatus which avoids or minimizes significant downtime for cleaning and repair and which is easy to flush for cleaning and easy to disassemble for repair.
Still another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for sampling fluid from a reactor vessel without contaminating the vacuum source used to draw the sample, while at the same time not requiring flushing of the sample or multiple cycling of the sample through a sight glass.
Another object of the invention is to provide improved fluid-sampling methods which overcome certain problems of existing methods and apparatus.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an improved fluid-sampling method and apparatus for sampling fluid from a reactor vessel.
The fluid-sampling apparatus of this invention includes a valve assembly, an overflow chamber assembly connected to the valve assembly, a vacuum assembly connected to the overflow chamber assembly, and a sample bottle mounting assembly connected to both the valve assembly and the vacuum assembly. The overflow assembly allows easy drawing of reaction fluid from the reactor into the sampling apparatus and thereafter allows a controlled overflow of withdrawn fluid inside the sampling apparatus, all done in a manner such that a sample may easily be taken from a portion of the withdrawn fluid isolated from the potentially-problematic first-out fluid, and such that all unused non-sample fluid returns to the reactor vessel without any external exposure or loss. The structure of the fluid-sampling apparatus of this invention makes this possible.
In preferred embodiments, the valve assembly includes a sampling valve with an insert member within an outer shell and a valve member pivotable within the insert member to direct reactor fluids—first to, and then in two ways from, the aforesaid overflow chamber assembly. The overflow chamber assembly includes an inner vessel from which reactor fluids can (1) first overflow into an outer sealed vessel also containing the inner vessel and (2) subsequently be withdrawn as non-first-out samples. The valve assembly facilitates such withdrawing of samples and the return of overflowed and unused liquids to the reactor vessel.
In preferred forms, the fluid-sampling apparatus includes a legend plate inscribed with instructive words (such as “FILL,” “SAMPLE” and “DRAIN”) corresponding to three predetermined positions of the pivotable valve member, and a handle connected to the pivotable valve member with an indic
Farrell Michael D.
Rommelfaenger Eugene R.
Schadt John C.
Jansson, Shupe, Munger & Stomma Ltd.
Raevis Robert
Sentry Equipment Corporation
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