BE1027846B1 - AUTONOMOUS SYSTEM FOR MULTIPOINT SAMPLING, ANALYSIS OF GAS OR LIQUIDS AND MANAGEMENT OF COLLECTED DATA - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a multipoint system for taking samples and continuously analyzing gases or liquids. Its particularity vis-à-vis conventional analysis systems is that it can automatically manage the taking of samples from several points of an installation or site, the performance of analyzes and finally the recording and management data collected. This autonomous device can be used: - for monitoring the concentration of a gas or the composition of a gas mixture in an industrial installation or in a laboratory installation. - for monitoring the air quality in a confined space, near an industrial site or the quality of the ambient air. - it also allows one-off or continuous analyzes to be carried out in environments that are difficult to access. The system can also be adapted for the collection and analysis of liquid samples. In this case, a peristaltic pump will be used as a means of sample collection. Water or any other fluid can be used to flush the system.

Description

Autonomous system for multipoint sampling, analysis of gases or BE2020/0117 liquids and management of collected data

DESCRIPTION

PRIOR ART Today, the protection of the climate, the preservation and the depollution of the environment are the main challenges of our society. Beyond compliance with standards and regaining air quality, managing air pollution is becoming a societal choice. In recent years, the characterization of air quality and the understanding of the phenomena have progressed considerably. In addition to efficient energy management, there is a need to reduce or even eliminate pollutants and contamination in our environment. Highly polluting activities and areas are particularly affected, particularly energy-intensive regions and industrial areas. Less discharge into the atmosphere means less concentration in the air, and therefore less impact on the environment... Controlling the processes implemented in an industrial process and optimizing the operation of the latter, contribute to minimizing air pollution. The instantaneous quantitative and qualitative evaluation of the composition of the fluids (gaseous and/or liquid) after each production stage is an asset which will make it possible to evaluate the performance of the process, to improve its operation, to avoid accidents (safety ) and to control emissions to better reduce them. Current techniques for measuring the composition of chemicals (gases or liquids) within a process and emissions are multiple. Suppliers of measuring devices do not offer a universal solution that is therefore valid for all gases or all liquids (products and by-products) present in a process. Even if there are analyzers on the market that allow the analysis of several chemical compounds at the same time, the device is generally bulky, fixed and only allows the sampling of the gaseous or liquid sample at one point or even at most two points. of the process. The manufacturer is generally obliged to use several devices at the same time to monitor his process. The cost of these devices and their maintenance is usually high.

A. Air quality monitoring Air is said to be polluted when chemical, particulate or biological agents are present in its composition at concentrations above the threshold concentrations set by approved organizations (such as the World Health Organization (WHO). ) or the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)).

We speak of atmospheric pollution when nitrogen oxides, ozone, sulfur dioxide, volatile hydrocarbons, toxic fine particles or any other element in excess of natural values are present in the air.

The sources of these pollutants are both anthropogenic and natural. An example of anthropogenic sources is the products of anthropogenic combustion (domestic and industrial heating, road traffic, industrial installations). Another example of anthropogenic sources is the evaporation and then dispersion into the air of petroleum-based chemical compounds by accident or as a result of their handling. As natural sources, we can cite the products of natural combustion (volcanoes, fires, etc.). Depending on their nature and their concentration in the air, these compounds can be toxic, irritating to the eyes and the respiratory tract and even cause cardiovascular disease or cancer.

Monitoring the concentration of these compounds in the air is an asset that reduces their impact on health and warns if authorized thresholds are exceeded.

B. Follow-up of an industrial process Industrial processes generally include several intermediate stages of transformation through different production equipment: reactor, separator, heat exchanger, pump, mixer...the interconnection of these stages will make it possible to obtain the finished product. . The instantaneous knowledge of the composition of the fluid (gas or liquid) after each production step is an asset that will make it possible to evaluate the performance of the process, to improve its operation, to avoid accidents (safety) and to control emissions. .

Determining the concentration of a gas or a liquid or even the composition of a gaseous or liquid mixture in an installation (thermal power stations, large combustion installations, industrial installations, household or special waste incinerators, etc.) requires the implementation of major means of monitoring such as the use of several measuring devices and calls on external personnel for the taking of samples, the carrying out of analyses, the management of the results obtained and the maintenance of the devices used. The cost of this work is generally high and yet still remains a luxury product that is not within everyone's reach.

In addition, current systems are either expensive or unable to provide continuous and consistent data, such as the physical measurements (temperatures, pressures, flow, etc.), necessary for the proper monitoring and proper functioning of the installations. industrial.

The concentrations of various products (liquid or gaseous) can be used to control industrial installations and, if necessary, divert certain flows towards ad hoc treatments when certain thresholds are reached. In this way, expensive treatments can be applied only when they are needed, thus saving energy, resources and consumables.

In a preferred embodiment, a continuous analysis of a flow for mercury can make it possible to detect when the latter contains excessively high concentrations and trigger the diversion of the gaseous flow towards an adsorption plant for vapors on activated carbon. to adsorb the mercury, then validate its effectiveness by taking a sample downstream, and then join the basic circuit. By proceeding in this way, the special, expensive activated carbon is preserved and is only used during periods when the gases to be emitted have concentrations higher than the standard. The system also makes it possible to trace, validate and guarantee discharges, as well as their control by the authorities.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a system for monitoring the concentration of several gases or liquids simultaneously at several points in a space or installation. All components of the system are commonly found commercially. The manufacture and use of the system are simple. The system can be customized as needed.

The Multipoint Gas or Liquid Sampling and Analysis Devise "MGLSAD" system is a multi-channel gas or liquid sampling and analysis device using one or more gas or liquid analyzers and automatically and periodically measures at multiple points of a site, an installation or a machine. It is an autonomous system, reliable, robust, compact, easily movable and can operate continuously (24 hours a day).

In a preferred embodiment, when the system is used for gas sampling and analysis, said system comprises: - 1 container for collecting gas samples from the measurement points, the stainless steel or Teflon container can contain a gas sample of sufficient volume to perform different types of analyzes simultaneously, - at least 12 inlets on the container for collecting gas samples from several measurement points, - at least 12 flexible or hard Teflon or stainless steel pipes or any other similar material avoiding any reaction whatsoever with the gaseous or liquid flow, to connect the measurement points to the collection container via the ten inlets, - at least 12 by-passes out of the 12 sample inlets to circulate each sample before passing through the collection container, - at least 1 air inlet or any other inert gas (nitrogen, argon, etc.) for purging the collection container, - at least 1 gas outlet on the container to circulate the sample in the container and to purge it, - at least 1 purge outlet on the container, - at least 1 divider equipped with at least 12 inputs to connect the by-passes and the outlet of the container (to ensure the suction of the gaseous samples through the collection container or through the by-passes), an outlet connected to a gas suction means and a low outlet for periodically drain the divider,

- at least 4 additional inlets on the container for connecting the analyzers (fixing the analyzer probes), - at least 13 additional Teflon or stainless steel hoses to connect the 12 bypasses and the container outlet to the divider, - at least 1 additional teflon or stainless steel hose to connect the divider outlet to the gas suction means, - each container inlet, container outlet, divider inlet and divider outlet is fitted with at least 1 gas-tight solenoid valve, - at least 1 gas filter (activated carbon or other) will be placed before or after the suction means to filter the gases sucked in before discharge into the atmosphere, - at least 1 means of measuring the temperature in the collection container, - at least 1 means of measuring the pressure in the collection container, - at least 1 programmable interface (PLC) for managing the opening and closing of the solenoid valves, the management of the analyzers, the programming and t data recording (measurement time, gas analysis results, etc.) using an application (PLC management interface, for example), - at least 1 electrical panel with an input for connecting the system to an electrical power supply, - at least 1 metal support to fix the collection container, the divider, the electrical cables, the hoses and the gas suction means, - Note: Depending on the type of analysis to be carried out, different types of filters can be placed at the output of each measurement point. For example, if the gases to be analyzed are incondensable at ambient temperature and at atmospheric pressure and if the measurement of fine particles is not programmed, a particle filter can be used. However, if the risk of partial or total condensation of the sample along the sampling line is high, in addition to the particulate filter, a condensate trap can be used. In this case, heating and thermal insulation of the line becomes a necessity. A heating tape of a few tens of Watts per meter can be used to heat the sampling line and maintain the gaseous sample at a temperature greater than or equal to the condensation temperature of the sample. The heating tapes consist of a heating part and a power supply part at one end only. They can be made with different insulations and options. The applications of heating tapes are mainly in industry, machinery or equipment for which protection against freezing or temperature maintenance is necessary.

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5 OPERATING PRINCIPLE (case of gas sampling and analysis) The operation of the system is mainly based on perfect sealing of its various components and on sufficient suction thanks to the suction means to guarantee the delivery of the sample from gas from the sampling point to the collection container. The suction means must make it possible to reach a vacuum in the system between 20 and 30%. Each sampling point is connected to the inlet of the collection container by a sealed hose or a stainless steel or brass pipe or other similar material, with a diameter between 4 and 10 mm.

Two bi-directional solenoid valves, located on each line (sample line), allow the sample (gas and/or vapour) to pass through the collection vessel for the duration of the analysis or pass through the bypass when the point sampling is not affected by the analysis. All the analyzers placed on the collection container suck up and analyze the gas sample from the relevant sample. All the solenoid valves are managed by the programmable logic controller (PLC). The duration of an analysis can vary between 20 and 300 seconds.

Between two successive samples, a rinsing period (from 60 to 120 seconds) with air or with an inert gas is carried out (therefore after each analysis). The condensate collected at the bottom of the collection container is automatically evacuated during the rinsing period: opening of the lower outlet of the collection container for a few seconds (10 to 20 seconds).

By way of example, Figure 1 illustrates the operating principle of the system. Sampling on the line of point P-1 coming from a sampling point (1) is in progress while the following points ((2) to (10)) are in bypass mode, i.e. awaiting analysis, and their gases sent to the extractor (11) The operation is fully automated; The cycles are controlled by a programmable logic controller (PLC) which manages the solenoid valves (16). The PLC manages the opening and closing time of the solenoid valves (16), the control of the solenoid valves (16), the communication with the analyzers (12) to (15), the control of the suction means, the display of the analysis results, recording and management of data and alarms….

The analyzers attached to the collection vessel (4 analyzers in this example — (12), (13), (14) and (15)) are permanently connected to the PLC. Analysis results are automatically and instantly transferred to the PLC. The PLC can be connected to another main PLC via the local network for communication, remote control and sending of recorded data. It can also be directly accessible via the local network or via the Internet. Access to the application (command menu) can be done remotely from any means of communication: computer, tablet, smartphone, etc.

The system also includes a sealed electrical panel which contains the electrical circuit, the PLC, the system on and off button... More precisely, the operating steps of the system can be defined as follows:

1. Connecting the system (local electrical panel) to a power supply (single-phase or three-phase),

2. Power on the system by pressing the on/off button,

3. Switching on the means of communication remotely (computer, tablet, smartphone, etc.),

4. Introduction of access address (for example, IP address),

5. Operation screen display,

6. Once the access has been established, complete monitoring of the analyzes to be carried out with the display of the open/closed valves of the sampling lines, the analyzers ready for analysis and the bypasses will be visible on the screen (Figure 1);

7. In this screen and via the “configuration” command, you can access a platform that allows you to perform the following operations: a. Modify the “group”: ie the number of measurement points. Valves are ordered separately because all valves operate independently of each other; b. Activate the valves for each corresponding element (group, purge, measuring point, bypass); vs. Deactivate the valves for each corresponding element (group, air, purge, measuring point, bypass) if the analysis of the measurement is not to be carried out.

d. Modify the opening or closing time interval of a valve under different values can be applied; e. The options of the "value" command (Figure 1) allow you to view and/or save the values which can also be viewed instantly. These values are an average based on all analyzer measurement data for a defined period of 10 seconds for this example.

f. Display the description of each compound (VOC, TOC, CO, O2, CO2, NO, NO2, NOX, SO2, Hg, HCI, N20, CH4, NH3, HF, Hg, H2S fine particles in this example) in relation to each point from measure (1) to (10) in this example; In a preferred embodiment, the multipoint sampling and analysis system can be positioned at an accessible location near an installation (thermal power stations, large combustion installations, industrial installations, household or special waste incinerators, measurement of the quality of the ambient air in a space…).

In a preferred embodiment (Figure 2), the collection container (1) is made of 304L stainless steel comprising two parts: a cylinder (2) 5 inches in diameter, 3 mm thick and 200 mm long and a flat cover (3) in 304L stainless steel, 190mm in diameter and 3mm thick.

The cylinder (1) has at mid-height 4 stainless steel inlets or tappings (4) 25mm in diameter, 3mm thick and 60mm long to fix the 4 analyzer probes, a gas outlet (5) in diameter 25mm, 3mm thick and 60mm long, a conical bottom (6) 50mm long and a drain outlet (7). The cover (3) is fixed on the cylinder (2) by bolts through the holes (9) and (10). A seal (8) is placed between the two.

On the cover (3) are welded 12 tappings (11) threaded at their ends with a diameter of 10mm, 2mm, 6 (12) 45mm long and 6 (13) 70mm long thick for the collection of gaseous samples from 12 measurement points and an additional tapping (14) threaded at its end with a diameter of 10mm, 3mm thick and 130mm long for the entry of the purge gas (air or any other inert gas: nitrogen, argon .…). In a preferred embodiment (Figure 3), the divider (15) comprises a 304L stainless steel cylinder (16) with a diameter of 50mm, a thickness of 3mm and a length of 1m comprising an inlet (17) - formed by a threaded tapping in 304L stainless steel 1 inch in diameter, 3mm thick and 100mm long and an outlet (18) formed by a threaded tapping in 304L stainless steel 1 inch in diameter, 3mm thick and 100mm long.

The cylinder (16) also includes 12 threaded connections in 304L stainless steel (19) 10mm in diameter, 2mm thick and 100mm long and an outlet (18) at the bottom of the divider (15) for emptying the latter, formed by a threaded connection in 304L stainless steel 1 inch in diameter, 3mm thick and 100mm long.

In a preferred embodiment (Figure 4), a solenoid valve (21) is placed on each threaded tapping (11) located on the cover (3) of the collection container (1). The measurement points are connected to the solenoid valves (21) fixed on the threaded connections (11) of the cover (3) of the collection container (1) via Tees (26) in 304L stainless steel 10mm in diameter by hard or flexible pipes (20) in Teflon or 304L stainless steel, 10mm in diameter and 0.5mm to 1mm thick.

The length of each hose is greater than or equal to the distance which separates the measuring point from the collection container (1). On each tapping (19) of the divider (15) is placed a solenoid valve (21). The by-pass of each measurement line is connected by a hard or flexible hose (20) made of Teflon or 304L stainless steel, 10mm in diameter and 0.5mm to 1mm thick between the second output of the Tee (26) and a solenoid valve (21) of a threaded connection (11) of the divider (15). An additional solenoid valve is fixed to the threaded purge connection (14) located on the cover (3) of the collection container (1). Finally, a manual valve (31) is attached to the drain outlet (30) of the divider (15). In a preferred embodiment (Figure 4), the outlet (5) of the collection container (1) is connected 40 - to the inlet (17) of the divider (15) by a hard or flexible hose (21) made of teflon or 304L stainless steel 1 inch in diameter and 0.5mm to 3mm thick on the other side of the divider (15), the outlet (18)

of the latter is connected to the suction means (24) by a hard or flexible pipe (21) made of Teflon or 304L stainless steel 1 inch in diameter and 0.5mm to 3mm thick. In turn the outlet of the suction means (24) is connected to a gas filter (25). All the components (solenoid valves (21), gas analyzers and extraction means (24)) of the system are electrically connected by electric cables (23) to the PLC (27) which is located in the electrical panel (28) of the system. On the tappings (4) of the collection container (1), the probes of several types of analyzers can be fixed. The whole system is fixed on a support (29).

In another aspect, the invention provides the use of the system as described above for the collection and analysis of liquid samples.

In another aspect, the invention provides the use of the system as described above for the sampling and analysis of fine particles.

Note that the preferred embodiments of the system of the invention are applicable to the process of the invention and vice versa.

The embodiment described in the foregoing and illustrated in the attached figures is an example given for illustrative purposes and the invention is in no way limited to this example. Any modification, any variant and any equivalent arrangement should be considered as included within the scope of the invention.

1. Collection container

2. Collection container cylinder

3. Collection container lid

4. Analyzer / analyzer input

5. Collecting container gas outlet

6. Conical bottom of collection container

7. Collection container drain outlet

8. Gasket

9. Fixing hole on the cover

10. Attachment hole on collection container

11. Nozzle on the lid of the collection container

12. Short stitching

13. Long stitching

14. Air tapping

15. Divider

16. Divider cylinder

17. Divider input

18. Divider output

19. Stitching on the divider

20. Flexible hose

21. Solenoid valve

22. Drain container

23. Electric cable

24. Extractor

25. Filter

26. Tee

27.PLC Cylinder

28. Electrical panel

29. Bracket

30. Drain outlet on the divider

31. Manual valve

Claims (16)

1. The "Multipoint Gas or Liquid Sampling and Analysis Devise "MGLSAD"" is a multi-channel gas or liquid sampling and analysis system utilizing one or more gas or liquid analyzers and automatically and periodically measuring at multiple measurement points (places) of a site, installation or machine the composition of the gas or liquid, said system comprising: - at least 1 container for collecting gaseous or liquid samples from the measurement points, - at least 10 inlets on the container for sample collection, - at least 10 flexible pipes to connect the measurement points to the collection container via the 10 inlets, - at least 10 by-passes out of the 10 sample inlets to make circulate each sample before it passes through the collection container, - at least 1 gas or liquid inlet for purging the collection container, - at least 1 gas or liquid outlet on the container to circulate the sample in the container and to purge it, - at least 1 outlet for emptying the container, - at least 1 divider equipped with 11 inlets to connect the 10 by-passes and the container outlet (to ensure sample suction through the container collection or through the by-passes), an outlet connected to a means of suction and a low outlet to periodically empty the divider, - at least 4 additional inlets on the container for the connection of the analyzers (fixing analyzer probes), - at least 11 additional hoses to connect the 10 bypasses and the container outlet to the divider, - at least 1 additional hose to connect the divider outlet to the suction means, - each container inlet, container outlet, inlet divider and divider outlet is equipped with at least one sealed solenoid valve, - at least 1 filter (activated carbon or other) will be placed before or after the suction means to filter the gases or liquids sucked in before discharge into the atmosphere, - at least 1 means of measuring the temperature in the collection container, - at least 1 means of measuring the pressure in the collection container, - at least 1 programming interface (PLC) for the management of the opening and closing of the solenoid valves, the management of the analyzers, the programming and the recording of the data (measurement time, gas analysis results, etc.), - at least 1 electrical panel with an entry for connecting the system to an electrical power supply, - at least 1 metal support to fix the collection container, the divider, the electrical cables, the hoses and the suction means, 2. System according to claim 1, in which the hoses can be made of transparent Teflon or of stainless or non-reactive metal; 3. System according to claim 1 in which the flexible pipes can be replaced by hard pipes made of stainless or non-reactive metal. 4. System according to claim 1 wherein the minimum volume of the collection container is 0.5 litres. 5. System according to claim 1 wherein the minimum thickness of the collection container is 2mm. 6. System according to claim 1 in which the minimum volume of the divider is 0.5 liters. 7. System according to one of claims 1-3 wherein the diameter of the flexible or hard pipes is at least 6mm. 8. System according to one of claims 1-3 wherein the thickness of the flexible or hard pipes is at least 1mm. 9. System according to one of Claims 1, 4-6, in which the collection container and the divider can be of any shape (cylindrical, square, rectangular, spherical) and made of stainless metal or any other heat-resistant material, pressure and/or vacuum. 10. System according to one of Claims 1, 4-6, in which the collection container and the divider can be of any shape (cylindrical, square, rectangular, spherical) and made of stainless metal or any other heat-resistant material, pressure and/or vacuum. 11. System according to one of claims 1 wherein the temperature measuring means is a temperature probe and the pressure measuring means is a differential pressure sensor. 12. System according to claim 1 in which the PLC makes it possible to actuate and choose the opening and closing time of each solenoid valve. 13. System according to claim 1, in which the PLC makes it possible to actuate or stop the suction means. 14. System according to claim 1 in which the PLC makes it possible to choose the analyzer, the recording time of the data coming from the analyzer, the calculation according to the recording period, the average value, the minimum value and the maximum value of each saved parameter. 15. System according to one of the preceding claims, in which the PLC continuously records the temperature and the pressure in the collection container and gives the alert when the threshold value is exceeded. 16. System according to one of the preceding claims, in which the PLC interface can be accessed via computer, tablet, smartphone or any other means of visualization and intervention for programming.