CA2468652A1 - Fluid sampling device - Google Patents
Fluid sampling device Download PDFInfo
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- CA2468652A1 CA2468652A1 CA 2468652 CA2468652A CA2468652A1 CA 2468652 A1 CA2468652 A1 CA 2468652A1 CA 2468652 CA2468652 CA 2468652 CA 2468652 A CA2468652 A CA 2468652A CA 2468652 A1 CA2468652 A1 CA 2468652A1
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- Prior art keywords
- sampling
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Classifications
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- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N1/00—Sampling; Preparing specimens for investigation
- G01N1/02—Devices for withdrawing samples
- G01N1/10—Devices for withdrawing samples in the liquid or fluent state
- G01N1/20—Devices for withdrawing samples in the liquid or fluent state for flowing or falling materials
- G01N1/2035—Devices for withdrawing samples in the liquid or fluent state for flowing or falling materials by deviating part of a fluid stream, e.g. by drawing-off or tapping
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N1/00—Sampling; Preparing specimens for investigation
- G01N1/02—Devices for withdrawing samples
- G01N1/10—Devices for withdrawing samples in the liquid or fluent state
- G01N1/20—Devices for withdrawing samples in the liquid or fluent state for flowing or falling materials
- G01N1/2035—Devices for withdrawing samples in the liquid or fluent state for flowing or falling materials by deviating part of a fluid stream, e.g. by drawing-off or tapping
- G01N2001/205—Devices for withdrawing samples in the liquid or fluent state for flowing or falling materials by deviating part of a fluid stream, e.g. by drawing-off or tapping using a valve
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N1/00—Sampling; Preparing specimens for investigation
- G01N1/02—Devices for withdrawing samples
- G01N1/10—Devices for withdrawing samples in the liquid or fluent state
- G01N1/20—Devices for withdrawing samples in the liquid or fluent state for flowing or falling materials
- G01N1/2035—Devices for withdrawing samples in the liquid or fluent state for flowing or falling materials by deviating part of a fluid stream, e.g. by drawing-off or tapping
- G01N2001/2064—Devices for withdrawing samples in the liquid or fluent state for flowing or falling materials by deviating part of a fluid stream, e.g. by drawing-off or tapping using a by-pass loop
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N1/00—Sampling; Preparing specimens for investigation
- G01N1/02—Devices for withdrawing samples
- G01N1/10—Devices for withdrawing samples in the liquid or fluent state
- G01N1/20—Devices for withdrawing samples in the liquid or fluent state for flowing or falling materials
- G01N1/2035—Devices for withdrawing samples in the liquid or fluent state for flowing or falling materials by deviating part of a fluid stream, e.g. by drawing-off or tapping
- G01N2001/2071—Removable sample bottle
- G01N2001/2085—Non-pre-evacuated septum closed bottles
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- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Hydrology & Water Resources (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
- Biochemistry (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Immunology (AREA)
- Pathology (AREA)
- Sampling And Sample Adjustment (AREA)
Abstract
A sampling device permits consistent volume fluid samples to be extracted from a fluid pipe line at evenly spaced timed intervals. The sampling mechanism of the device in a preferred embodiment comprises a pair of sampling valves in series with a sampling line of the device which are operated by a cam mechanism so that only one of the valves is opened at any given time. Opening of the first valve thus pressurizes the line while opening of the second valve permits the pressurized fluid contained between the valves to be released and collected in a sampling container.
Description
FLUID SAMPLING DEVICE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a sampling device for sampling fluid from a fluid line having fluid therein flowing under pressure, and more particularly relates to a device for sampling oil from a pipeline flow.
BACKGROUND
In many instances it is desirable to sample a fluid flowing in a pipe to test various characteristics of the fluid. In the oil industry, it is particularly desirable to obtain samples from crude oil flowing in pipes for measuring the water content thereof. Sampling in this instance is commonly done in a satellite building at an oil field where a plurality of wells flow into a common header at the building. A
pressure vessel is typically provided through which a selected one of the wells may be diverted when it is desirable to meter the flow therethrough. Gas is typically removed at the pressure vessel and diverted downstream back into the pipe line. A flow meter downstream from the pressure vessel measures the flow of crude oil from the selected one of the wells through the pressure vessel.
A known type of sampling involves a rotary valve in the form of co-operating apertures in plates which rotate past one another to open and close the valve. The fluid sample is dispensed to atmosphere and gases are permitted to escape into the surrounding environment. Rotation of the valve is dependent upon rotation of the flow meter to which it is connected resulting in inconsistent sample volumes dependent upon flow conditions.
SUMMARY
According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a sampling device for sampling fluid from a fluid line having fluid therein flowing under pressure, the device comprising:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a sampling device for sampling fluid from a fluid line having fluid therein flowing under pressure, and more particularly relates to a device for sampling oil from a pipeline flow.
BACKGROUND
In many instances it is desirable to sample a fluid flowing in a pipe to test various characteristics of the fluid. In the oil industry, it is particularly desirable to obtain samples from crude oil flowing in pipes for measuring the water content thereof. Sampling in this instance is commonly done in a satellite building at an oil field where a plurality of wells flow into a common header at the building. A
pressure vessel is typically provided through which a selected one of the wells may be diverted when it is desirable to meter the flow therethrough. Gas is typically removed at the pressure vessel and diverted downstream back into the pipe line. A flow meter downstream from the pressure vessel measures the flow of crude oil from the selected one of the wells through the pressure vessel.
A known type of sampling involves a rotary valve in the form of co-operating apertures in plates which rotate past one another to open and close the valve. The fluid sample is dispensed to atmosphere and gases are permitted to escape into the surrounding environment. Rotation of the valve is dependent upon rotation of the flow meter to which it is connected resulting in inconsistent sample volumes dependent upon flow conditions.
SUMMARY
According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a sampling device for sampling fluid from a fluid line having fluid therein flowing under pressure, the device comprising:
a container;
a sampling line for communication between the fluid line and the container;
a sampling valve mechanism in series with the sampling line, the sampling valve mechanism being arranged to release a fluid sample of prescribed volume through the sampling line with each operating cycle of the sampling valve mechanism; and a control mechanism for operating the sampling valve mechanism through a plurality of operating cycles at timed intervals throughout a prescribed sampling duration to release the fluid samples of prescribed volume into the container.
By providing a valve mechanism which consistently produces a fluid sample of prescribed volume with each cycle and a control mechanism for cycling the mechanism at evenly spaced intervals, consistent sample sizes over a prescribed sample duration can be attained for producing a more accurate overall sample of the fluid flowing through the pipe line. Furthermore by providing the valve in series with the sampling line, the fluid being sampled remains contained in the sampling line for capturing gases dispensed and properly disposing of them once collected. In a preferred embodiment, the valve mechanism comprises a simple mechanism of two valves which extracts a predictably sized small sample which remains fixed in volume through out the duration of the sampling despite fluid pressures or flows in the pipe line, thus permitting many samples to be extracted into a small portable container which can then be taken back to a testing area.
The device may be provided in combination with an oil pipe line for sampling oil from the pipe line.
The sampling line may communicate with the fluid line through an inlet tube having a bevelled free end facing into the direction of flow in the fluid line.
There may be provided a responsive shut-down valve in series with the sampling line between the fluid line and the sampling valve mechanism, the responsive shut-down valve being responsive to fluid in the container reaching a prescribed fluid level for shutting off flow through the sampling line.
The container may be supported on a scale platform which closes the responsive shut-down valve when a prescribed weight of fluid corresponding to the prescribed level is reached.
The prescribed weight of the scale is preferably adjustable.
A flexible line may couple the sampling line to the container supported on the scale.
The responsive shut-down valve preferably requires manually resetting.
There may be provided a vent line coupled to the container.
The sampling valve mechanism preferably comprises a pair of sampling valves in series with the sampling line in which the control mechanism is configured to permit only one of the sampling valves to be opened at any given time.
Preferably at least one of the sampling valves is opened at evenly spaced timed intervals.
Volume of the sampling line between the sampling valves is preferably approximately between 5 and 10 millilitres so as to be approximately less than 1 % of the volume of the container when the container volume is 1 litre.
The sampling valves are preferably biased towards the closed position.
The control mechanism may include a cam member having at least one lobe thereon which deflects a cam follower on a lever arm operating one of the sampling valves.
Preferably both sampling valves include lever arms with cam followers thereon which operate the valves in which both cam followers ride along the same cam member to ensure that only one of the valves is opened at any given time.
There may be provided a manually operated shut-down valve coupled in series with the sampling line between the fluid line and the sampling mechanism.
There may be provided a cleanout line coupled to the sampling line between the fluid line and the sampling mechanism, the cleanout line including a shut-off valve in series therewith.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the present invention:
Figure 1 is a front elevational view of the sampling device.
Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the sampling.
Figure 3 is a partly sectional top plan view of the inlet tube.
Figure 4 is a schematic view of the operation of the sampling device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring to the accompanying drawings, there is illustrated a fluid sampling device generally indicated by reference numeral 10. The device 10 is particularly suited for use with an oil pipe line 12 containing a flow of crude oil under pressure therein.
The device 10 includes an inlet tube 14 which extends through the side wall 16 of the pipe line for communication with an interior of the pipe line.
A free end of the tube 14 is sloped at a 45° bevel which is oriented to face into the flow direction 20 to ease the flow of fluid into the inlet tube 14.
The inlet tube is coupled in series to a manual shut-off valve 22 which further connects the inlet tube 14 in series with a sampling line 24. The manual shut-off valve 22 includes a suitable manual lever for operating an interior ball valve to open and close the valve as desired.
The sampling line 24 extends between the inlet tube 14 in communication with the pipe line 12 and a container 26 which receives the fluid being sampled from the pipe line. The sampling line 24 couples to the container 26 by a flexible line 28 coupled therebetween. Connection of the flexible line 28 to the container is sealed to ensure that all fluid dispensed therethrough is delivered into the container. The flexible line connects to a threaded cap of the container so that the cap can be threadably removed from the container for replacing the container as desired. Both the sampling line 24 and the flexible line 28 are supported in a horizontal orientation at a connection point with each other and a vertical vent line 30 which extends vertically upward therefrom to a suitable vent external from the building or to a suitable collection of the gases in an environmentally friendly manner.
A sampling valve mechanism 32 is provided in the form of two sampling valves 34 coupled in series with the sampling line 24. Each of the valves 34 is biased towards a closed position and includes an actuating lever 36 which opens the valve when the lever is deflected.
A responsive shut-off valve 38 is coupled in series with the sampling line between the inlet tube 14 and the sampling mechanism 32 for shutting off the flow into the sampling device 10 when a prescribed fluid level is reached within the container 26. The container is supported on a scale platform 40 which is pivoted along a rear side by a hinge 42 for pivotal movement up and down from a horizontal position when supporting the container thereon in use. A spring 44 biases the platform upwardly while weight of fluid in container acts against the spring to deflect the platform downwardly. When a prescribed weight of fluid within the container, indicative of a prescribed level being reached, the scale platform 40 is configured so as to be sufficiently deflected to engage the actuating lever 46 of the responsive shut-off valve 38 and thereby close the valve. The spring tension of the spring 44 is adjustable by means of the threaded bolts securing the opposing ends of the spring so that the prescribed weight or level of fluid being collected can be adjusted. Once the shut-off valve has been closed, manually resetting the valve is required by replacing the container and resetting the position of the scale platform 40 in a horizontal orientation.
A cleanout line 48 is coupled to the sampling line 24 between the responsive shut-off valve 38 and the settling mechanism 32 to provide an alternate route for the fluid to flow through when a cleanout valve 50 in series with the cleanout line 48 is opened. The cfeanout valve 50 is a manually operated ball valve including a suitable lever for opening and closing the valve. Samples may be directly taken from the sampling line manually by operating the cleanout valve 50.
A valve controller 52 comprises an electric motor having a rotary output which can be selected to operate at one of various speeds. The motor is battery powered to readily permit its use in various environments.
A cam member 54 is supported on the rotary output of the valve controller and includes two diametrically opposed lobes 56. A cam follower 58 is provided on the actuating lever 36 of each of the sampling valves 34 for engaging the cam member 54 throughout its rotation. The cam member preferably includes smooth rounded camming faces on the lobes 56 which may be formed of TefIonT"" or other suitable self-lubricating materials. The cam followers 58 are also made of a plastic material which is smooth and rounded in profile for riding along the camming faces of the cam member to deflect the lever 36 and open the respective valve 34 each time one of the lobes is rotated therepast.
By rotating the cam member 54 the sampling valves 34 are alternately opened. The cam followers 58 of the respective sampling valves are located adjacent one another, within 90 degrees measured circumferencially relative to the cam member axis, so that only one of the valves may be opened at any given time by the diametrically opposed lobes 56. When a first one of the sampling valves 34 nearest the pipe line is first opened, a sampling portion 60 of the sampling line between the valves 34 is pressurized to the same pressure as the pipe line. The first sampling valve 34 then closes and the other sampling valve 34 downstream therefrom is then opened to release the fluid under pressure in the sampling portion 60 of the line into the container 26. A consistent sample volume is thus released with each cycle of the sampling valve mechanism 32 dependent upon the volume of the sampling portion of the line. In the preferred embodiment, the sampling portion has a volume which is suitable to produce a sample of approximately 7 millilitres. The cam member 54 is evenly rotated so that in addition to consistent sample volumes, the samples are taken at consistent timed intervals evenly spaced apart regardless of the flow conditions of the meter of the pipe fine 12 to which the sampling device may be connected.
As described herein, the sampling device connects to a pipe or meter containing a flowing oil/water emulsion. The inlet tube is comprised of '/4 inch stainless steel tubing approximately 3 inches long. One end which is directed into the fluid stream is bevelled to 45 degrees. The other end is press fitted into a 1/8 inch to '/4 inch swedge. The '/4 inch end of the swedge is connected to a '/4 inch ball valve ('/4 turn) to permit and stop flow from the source to the sampling device. The valve is then fitted to an InvaIcoT"" Microvalve. This valve is bolted to the frame of the sampling device. The valve acts as a safety shut down and will close if the fluid level reaches a certain level. The valve must be manually reset open in order for a sample to be taken. From the safety valve, the fluid will then flow up '/4 inch line to a stainless steel T where it can be diverted to a clean out/sample '/4 inch ball valve which is normally closed. The flow also goes in the direction of the first of finro InvaIcoT""
Microvalves. These two valves are separated by a 3/8 inch holding tube which has a capacity of about 7 ml. The first valve is a operated by a spring loaded lever which maintains the valve in a normally closed position. The fluid will only pass by this valve when a cam rotates past the plastic ball on the end of the valve lever assembly. The lobes of the cam will rotate past this ball every 30min or 45min. The cam is driven by a battery operated (1.5V) drive system which can be set for different rotation times (60 or 90 minutes). When the cam passes over the first valve it will open it allowing the fluid to flow into the pressure tube. The cam will then pass over the lever of that valve allowing the spring loaded lever to close the valve capturing the fluid in the pressure tube so that the pressure will be equal to sample inlet pressure. The cam will then rotate to the ball lever of the second valve, opening the microvalve and releasing the pressure of the pressure tube through the second valve and up into the flow sample line. The continuous cycle of releasing pressurized fluid into the sample line will in turn flow into the sample jug. This test will continue for a given time or until the sample reaches a certain level and trips the safety valve. The sample jug/container is held in place by a bracket mounted on a 6 inch T hinge which allows it to move up and down on the side of the safety valve. The fluid shut down level can be adjusted by the a spring and eye bolt. The gas in the jug is allowed to escape through a vent line connected to the top of the sample line by the way of a '/4 inch T
fitting. The fluid will then flow from the fitting to the jug by the way of a flexible'/4 inch fuel line allowing the sample jug to move down in case of a high fluid level(weight). The sample jug is a standard 1 L fluid sample jug fitted with a screw top. The fuel line is fitted into '/4 inch hole in the center of the cap.
In use, the device is coupled to a pipe line exiting a pressure vessel at a satellite building of an oil field at the flow meter thereof. All of the components of the device as described herein are supported within the building on by a suitable housing as shown in the accompanying figures. Rotation speed of the cam member 54 is selected on the valve controller 52 so that each rotation of the cam member produces two cycles of pressurizing the sampling portion 60 of the line and releasing the pressure as a fluid sample into the container when two lobes 56 are provided thereon.
The response shut-off valve 38 ensures that fluid flow into the sampling device is cut off once a desired volume of the fluid has been collected. The container 26 in the preferred embodiment has a volume of approximately 1 litre and is coupled to communicate with the vent line 30 to vent excess gases externally of the building site or through any other approved collection or disposal means.
In further embodiments the sampling valve mechanism 32 may comprises a single high speed solenoid valve which is precisely controlled to open for specific durations to control the amount of fluid being sampled upon each cycle.
While one embodiment of the present invention has been described in the foregoing, it is to be understood that other embodiments are possible within the scope of the invention. The invention is to be considered limited solely by the scope of the appended Claims.
a sampling line for communication between the fluid line and the container;
a sampling valve mechanism in series with the sampling line, the sampling valve mechanism being arranged to release a fluid sample of prescribed volume through the sampling line with each operating cycle of the sampling valve mechanism; and a control mechanism for operating the sampling valve mechanism through a plurality of operating cycles at timed intervals throughout a prescribed sampling duration to release the fluid samples of prescribed volume into the container.
By providing a valve mechanism which consistently produces a fluid sample of prescribed volume with each cycle and a control mechanism for cycling the mechanism at evenly spaced intervals, consistent sample sizes over a prescribed sample duration can be attained for producing a more accurate overall sample of the fluid flowing through the pipe line. Furthermore by providing the valve in series with the sampling line, the fluid being sampled remains contained in the sampling line for capturing gases dispensed and properly disposing of them once collected. In a preferred embodiment, the valve mechanism comprises a simple mechanism of two valves which extracts a predictably sized small sample which remains fixed in volume through out the duration of the sampling despite fluid pressures or flows in the pipe line, thus permitting many samples to be extracted into a small portable container which can then be taken back to a testing area.
The device may be provided in combination with an oil pipe line for sampling oil from the pipe line.
The sampling line may communicate with the fluid line through an inlet tube having a bevelled free end facing into the direction of flow in the fluid line.
There may be provided a responsive shut-down valve in series with the sampling line between the fluid line and the sampling valve mechanism, the responsive shut-down valve being responsive to fluid in the container reaching a prescribed fluid level for shutting off flow through the sampling line.
The container may be supported on a scale platform which closes the responsive shut-down valve when a prescribed weight of fluid corresponding to the prescribed level is reached.
The prescribed weight of the scale is preferably adjustable.
A flexible line may couple the sampling line to the container supported on the scale.
The responsive shut-down valve preferably requires manually resetting.
There may be provided a vent line coupled to the container.
The sampling valve mechanism preferably comprises a pair of sampling valves in series with the sampling line in which the control mechanism is configured to permit only one of the sampling valves to be opened at any given time.
Preferably at least one of the sampling valves is opened at evenly spaced timed intervals.
Volume of the sampling line between the sampling valves is preferably approximately between 5 and 10 millilitres so as to be approximately less than 1 % of the volume of the container when the container volume is 1 litre.
The sampling valves are preferably biased towards the closed position.
The control mechanism may include a cam member having at least one lobe thereon which deflects a cam follower on a lever arm operating one of the sampling valves.
Preferably both sampling valves include lever arms with cam followers thereon which operate the valves in which both cam followers ride along the same cam member to ensure that only one of the valves is opened at any given time.
There may be provided a manually operated shut-down valve coupled in series with the sampling line between the fluid line and the sampling mechanism.
There may be provided a cleanout line coupled to the sampling line between the fluid line and the sampling mechanism, the cleanout line including a shut-off valve in series therewith.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the present invention:
Figure 1 is a front elevational view of the sampling device.
Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the sampling.
Figure 3 is a partly sectional top plan view of the inlet tube.
Figure 4 is a schematic view of the operation of the sampling device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring to the accompanying drawings, there is illustrated a fluid sampling device generally indicated by reference numeral 10. The device 10 is particularly suited for use with an oil pipe line 12 containing a flow of crude oil under pressure therein.
The device 10 includes an inlet tube 14 which extends through the side wall 16 of the pipe line for communication with an interior of the pipe line.
A free end of the tube 14 is sloped at a 45° bevel which is oriented to face into the flow direction 20 to ease the flow of fluid into the inlet tube 14.
The inlet tube is coupled in series to a manual shut-off valve 22 which further connects the inlet tube 14 in series with a sampling line 24. The manual shut-off valve 22 includes a suitable manual lever for operating an interior ball valve to open and close the valve as desired.
The sampling line 24 extends between the inlet tube 14 in communication with the pipe line 12 and a container 26 which receives the fluid being sampled from the pipe line. The sampling line 24 couples to the container 26 by a flexible line 28 coupled therebetween. Connection of the flexible line 28 to the container is sealed to ensure that all fluid dispensed therethrough is delivered into the container. The flexible line connects to a threaded cap of the container so that the cap can be threadably removed from the container for replacing the container as desired. Both the sampling line 24 and the flexible line 28 are supported in a horizontal orientation at a connection point with each other and a vertical vent line 30 which extends vertically upward therefrom to a suitable vent external from the building or to a suitable collection of the gases in an environmentally friendly manner.
A sampling valve mechanism 32 is provided in the form of two sampling valves 34 coupled in series with the sampling line 24. Each of the valves 34 is biased towards a closed position and includes an actuating lever 36 which opens the valve when the lever is deflected.
A responsive shut-off valve 38 is coupled in series with the sampling line between the inlet tube 14 and the sampling mechanism 32 for shutting off the flow into the sampling device 10 when a prescribed fluid level is reached within the container 26. The container is supported on a scale platform 40 which is pivoted along a rear side by a hinge 42 for pivotal movement up and down from a horizontal position when supporting the container thereon in use. A spring 44 biases the platform upwardly while weight of fluid in container acts against the spring to deflect the platform downwardly. When a prescribed weight of fluid within the container, indicative of a prescribed level being reached, the scale platform 40 is configured so as to be sufficiently deflected to engage the actuating lever 46 of the responsive shut-off valve 38 and thereby close the valve. The spring tension of the spring 44 is adjustable by means of the threaded bolts securing the opposing ends of the spring so that the prescribed weight or level of fluid being collected can be adjusted. Once the shut-off valve has been closed, manually resetting the valve is required by replacing the container and resetting the position of the scale platform 40 in a horizontal orientation.
A cleanout line 48 is coupled to the sampling line 24 between the responsive shut-off valve 38 and the settling mechanism 32 to provide an alternate route for the fluid to flow through when a cleanout valve 50 in series with the cleanout line 48 is opened. The cfeanout valve 50 is a manually operated ball valve including a suitable lever for opening and closing the valve. Samples may be directly taken from the sampling line manually by operating the cleanout valve 50.
A valve controller 52 comprises an electric motor having a rotary output which can be selected to operate at one of various speeds. The motor is battery powered to readily permit its use in various environments.
A cam member 54 is supported on the rotary output of the valve controller and includes two diametrically opposed lobes 56. A cam follower 58 is provided on the actuating lever 36 of each of the sampling valves 34 for engaging the cam member 54 throughout its rotation. The cam member preferably includes smooth rounded camming faces on the lobes 56 which may be formed of TefIonT"" or other suitable self-lubricating materials. The cam followers 58 are also made of a plastic material which is smooth and rounded in profile for riding along the camming faces of the cam member to deflect the lever 36 and open the respective valve 34 each time one of the lobes is rotated therepast.
By rotating the cam member 54 the sampling valves 34 are alternately opened. The cam followers 58 of the respective sampling valves are located adjacent one another, within 90 degrees measured circumferencially relative to the cam member axis, so that only one of the valves may be opened at any given time by the diametrically opposed lobes 56. When a first one of the sampling valves 34 nearest the pipe line is first opened, a sampling portion 60 of the sampling line between the valves 34 is pressurized to the same pressure as the pipe line. The first sampling valve 34 then closes and the other sampling valve 34 downstream therefrom is then opened to release the fluid under pressure in the sampling portion 60 of the line into the container 26. A consistent sample volume is thus released with each cycle of the sampling valve mechanism 32 dependent upon the volume of the sampling portion of the line. In the preferred embodiment, the sampling portion has a volume which is suitable to produce a sample of approximately 7 millilitres. The cam member 54 is evenly rotated so that in addition to consistent sample volumes, the samples are taken at consistent timed intervals evenly spaced apart regardless of the flow conditions of the meter of the pipe fine 12 to which the sampling device may be connected.
As described herein, the sampling device connects to a pipe or meter containing a flowing oil/water emulsion. The inlet tube is comprised of '/4 inch stainless steel tubing approximately 3 inches long. One end which is directed into the fluid stream is bevelled to 45 degrees. The other end is press fitted into a 1/8 inch to '/4 inch swedge. The '/4 inch end of the swedge is connected to a '/4 inch ball valve ('/4 turn) to permit and stop flow from the source to the sampling device. The valve is then fitted to an InvaIcoT"" Microvalve. This valve is bolted to the frame of the sampling device. The valve acts as a safety shut down and will close if the fluid level reaches a certain level. The valve must be manually reset open in order for a sample to be taken. From the safety valve, the fluid will then flow up '/4 inch line to a stainless steel T where it can be diverted to a clean out/sample '/4 inch ball valve which is normally closed. The flow also goes in the direction of the first of finro InvaIcoT""
Microvalves. These two valves are separated by a 3/8 inch holding tube which has a capacity of about 7 ml. The first valve is a operated by a spring loaded lever which maintains the valve in a normally closed position. The fluid will only pass by this valve when a cam rotates past the plastic ball on the end of the valve lever assembly. The lobes of the cam will rotate past this ball every 30min or 45min. The cam is driven by a battery operated (1.5V) drive system which can be set for different rotation times (60 or 90 minutes). When the cam passes over the first valve it will open it allowing the fluid to flow into the pressure tube. The cam will then pass over the lever of that valve allowing the spring loaded lever to close the valve capturing the fluid in the pressure tube so that the pressure will be equal to sample inlet pressure. The cam will then rotate to the ball lever of the second valve, opening the microvalve and releasing the pressure of the pressure tube through the second valve and up into the flow sample line. The continuous cycle of releasing pressurized fluid into the sample line will in turn flow into the sample jug. This test will continue for a given time or until the sample reaches a certain level and trips the safety valve. The sample jug/container is held in place by a bracket mounted on a 6 inch T hinge which allows it to move up and down on the side of the safety valve. The fluid shut down level can be adjusted by the a spring and eye bolt. The gas in the jug is allowed to escape through a vent line connected to the top of the sample line by the way of a '/4 inch T
fitting. The fluid will then flow from the fitting to the jug by the way of a flexible'/4 inch fuel line allowing the sample jug to move down in case of a high fluid level(weight). The sample jug is a standard 1 L fluid sample jug fitted with a screw top. The fuel line is fitted into '/4 inch hole in the center of the cap.
In use, the device is coupled to a pipe line exiting a pressure vessel at a satellite building of an oil field at the flow meter thereof. All of the components of the device as described herein are supported within the building on by a suitable housing as shown in the accompanying figures. Rotation speed of the cam member 54 is selected on the valve controller 52 so that each rotation of the cam member produces two cycles of pressurizing the sampling portion 60 of the line and releasing the pressure as a fluid sample into the container when two lobes 56 are provided thereon.
The response shut-off valve 38 ensures that fluid flow into the sampling device is cut off once a desired volume of the fluid has been collected. The container 26 in the preferred embodiment has a volume of approximately 1 litre and is coupled to communicate with the vent line 30 to vent excess gases externally of the building site or through any other approved collection or disposal means.
In further embodiments the sampling valve mechanism 32 may comprises a single high speed solenoid valve which is precisely controlled to open for specific durations to control the amount of fluid being sampled upon each cycle.
While one embodiment of the present invention has been described in the foregoing, it is to be understood that other embodiments are possible within the scope of the invention. The invention is to be considered limited solely by the scope of the appended Claims.
Claims (19)
1. A sampling device for sampling fluid from a fluid line having fluid therein flowing under pressure, the device comprising:
a container;
a sampling line for communication between the fluid line and the container;
a sampling valve mechanism in series with the sampling line, the sampling valve mechanism being arranged to release a fluid sample of prescribed volume through the sampling line with each operating cycle of the sampling valve mechanism; and a control mechanism for operating the sampling valve mechanism through a plurality of operating cycles at timed intervals throughout a prescribed sampling duration to release the fluid samples of prescribed volume into the container.
a container;
a sampling line for communication between the fluid line and the container;
a sampling valve mechanism in series with the sampling line, the sampling valve mechanism being arranged to release a fluid sample of prescribed volume through the sampling line with each operating cycle of the sampling valve mechanism; and a control mechanism for operating the sampling valve mechanism through a plurality of operating cycles at timed intervals throughout a prescribed sampling duration to release the fluid samples of prescribed volume into the container.
2. The device according to Claim 1 in combination with an oil pipe line for sampling oil from the pipe line.
3. The device according to Claim 1 wherein the sampling line communicates with the fluid line through an inlet tube having a bevelled free end facing into the direction of flow in the fluid line.
4. The device according to Claim 1 wherein there is provided a responsive shut-down valve in series with the sampling line between the fluid line and the sampling valve mechanism, the responsive shut-down valve being responsive to fluid in the container reaching a prescribed fluid level for shutting off flow through the sampling line.
5. The device according to Claim 4 wherein the container is supported on a scale which closes the responsive shut-down valve when a prescribed weight of fluid corresponding to the prescribed level is reached.
6. The device according to Claim 5 wherein the prescribed weight of the scale is adjustable.
7. The device according to Claim 5 wherein a flexible line couples the sampling line to the container supported on the scale.
8. The device according to Claim 4 wherein the responsive shut-down valve requires manually resetting.
9. The device according to Claim 1 wherein there is provided a vent line coupled to the container.
10. The device according to Claim 1 wherein the sampling valve mechanism comprises a pair of sampling valves in series with the sampling line in which the control mechanism is configured to permit only one of the sampling valves to be opened at any given time.
11. The device according to Claim 10 wherein at least one of the sampling valves is opened at evenly spaced timed intervals.
12. The device according to Claim 10 wherein volume of the sampling line between the sampling valves is approximately between 5 and 10 millilitres.
13. The device according to Claim 10 wherein volume of the sampling line between the sampling valves is less than 1% of the volume of the container.
14. The device according to Claim 10 wherein the sampling valves are biased towards the closed position.
15. The device according to Claim 10 wherein the control mechanism includes a cam member having at least one lobe thereon which deflects a cam follower on a lever arm operating one of the sampling valves.
16. The device according to Claim 15 wherein both sampling valves include lever arms with cam followers thereon which operate the valves in which both cam followers ride along the same cam member to ensure that only one of the valves is opened at any given time.
17. The device according to Claim 1 wherein there is provided a manually operated shut-down valve coupled in series with the sampling line between the fluid line and the sampling mechanism.
18. The device according to Claim 1 wherein there is provided a cleanout line coupled to the sampling line between the fluid line and the sampling mechanism, the cleanout line including a shut-off valve in series therewith.
19. The device according to Claim 1 wherein the control mechanism is battery operated.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2468652 CA2468652A1 (en) | 2004-05-28 | 2004-05-28 | Fluid sampling device |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2468652 CA2468652A1 (en) | 2004-05-28 | 2004-05-28 | Fluid sampling device |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2468652A1 true CA2468652A1 (en) | 2005-11-28 |
Family
ID=35452280
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2468652 Abandoned CA2468652A1 (en) | 2004-05-28 | 2004-05-28 | Fluid sampling device |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2468652A1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN109406205A (en) * | 2018-10-18 | 2019-03-01 | 上海锅炉厂有限公司 | A kind of boiler device of working medium constant-speed sampling device |
| CN113340662A (en) * | 2021-07-01 | 2021-09-03 | 中国海洋大学 | Layering timesharing sampling device |
-
2004
- 2004-05-28 CA CA 2468652 patent/CA2468652A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN109406205A (en) * | 2018-10-18 | 2019-03-01 | 上海锅炉厂有限公司 | A kind of boiler device of working medium constant-speed sampling device |
| CN109406205B (en) * | 2018-10-18 | 2024-01-30 | 上海锅炉厂有限公司 | Constant-speed sampling device for boiler water working medium |
| CN113340662A (en) * | 2021-07-01 | 2021-09-03 | 中国海洋大学 | Layering timesharing sampling device |
| CN113340662B (en) * | 2021-07-01 | 2024-05-07 | 中国海洋大学 | Layered time-sharing sampling device |
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| FZDE | Dead |