GB2601813A

GB2601813A - Device and method of testing

Info

Publication number: GB2601813A
Application number: GB2019603.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Phillip Burkle Daniel; Anthony Jacklin Robert
Original assignee: LEEDS AND BRADFORD BOILER Co Ltd; Leeds And Bradford Boiler Co Ltd; University of Leeds
Current assignee: LEEDS AND BRADFORD BOILER Co Ltd; Leeds And Bradford Boiler Co Ltd; University of Leeds
Priority date: 2020-12-11
Filing date: 2020-12-11
Publication date: 2022-06-15
Also published as: GB202019603D0; WO2022123274A1

Abstract

A device for use in testing a sealed environment (vessel 140) comprises a shaft 108 and a housing 110 surrounding, and extending at least part of the length of, the shaft. The housing defines a cavity and there is a dynamic seal (119, Figure 2a) between the shaft and the housing, and an environment isolation seal 102 mounted to the shaft. The shaft is axially slidable with respect to the housing 110 and the dynamic seal. A test sample holder 112 supports a test material such as a coupon 114, which may be inserted (Figure 4a) and retracted from the vessel 140. The device enables repeatable corrosion tests.

Description

DEVICE AND METHOD FOR TESTING

The present invention relates to a device and method to perform tests within a contained, sealed and pressurised environment, and is concerned particularly, though not exclusively, with a device to enable repeatable testing throughout a process when the process has reached the desired operating temperature and pressure

BACKGROUND

1() Retractable probes for testing a particular environment, mostly for pipeline applications, may have a ball valve for isolation from the pressurised process which seals off after retraction of the probe.

The energy and carbon reduction sectors present an incredibly diverse and complex range of material degradation challenges. Corrosion management strategies are paramount in reducing an environmental and economic impact from corrosion damage. Corrosion management challenges continue to exist for a number of maturing industries, such as oil and gas, particularly with the transitions to deeper wells and more aggressive environments for hydrocarbon extraction.

In addition to this, the recent increased uptake of alternative energy and carbon reduction technologies (due to new global regulations on reducing Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emissions) such as nuclear, solar, geothermal and carbon capture and storage have presented new challenges that require realistic testing methodologies to ensure the correct materials are selected for such applications and harsh operating environments.

To improve material selection processes, there is a need to have a test procedure where an exact 'target' process environment can be observed, for the full duration of a test or at any point in the experimental programme. Current test procedures where the coupon/s are inserted at the start of an experiment, and then the environment is pressurised and/or heated to a desired temperature can lead to misleading results when simulating a real production brine and trying to simulate realistic corrosion mechanism and failure modes. This is due to pre-corrosion and/or pre-scaling before the desired temperature has been achieved. Similarly, testing chemicals, such as corrosion inhibitors, can be problematic if the chemical absorbs to the coupon surface during the heat-up time due to the corrosion kinetics during heating and also loss in inhibitor efficiencies during this process Similarly, removing the coupons after the environment has cooled and/or depressurised can also lead to misleading results and could alter the surface of the corroded specimen.

Furthermore, cooling/heating and pressurizing/depressurizing a testing environment can be a long process which may take several hours and retrieving coupons without the need to cool the test apparatus can save users a lot of valuable time.

Due to consumption and evolution of species as part of the corrosion process, solution variation during the test period is also a factor that can affect results observed from testing. For example, a brine composition can significantly change during the heat up time due to a corroding specimen releasing metal ions (Mr) into the bulk solution which can alter the pH. This problem can be neglected if the coupon is inserted once the target process conditions have been achieved.

As mentioned, an alternative option for corrosion resistant alloys, chemicals may be used to inhibit corrosion in corrosive environments. Across a number of the industries and applications mentioned previously, process conditions can continuously fluctuate, especially in pipelines and tubing covering many kilometres. It can be difficult to understand the interaction between inhibitors and corroding metals within the environment to be tested. This can become even more complicated when corrosion products and scales are present on the mental surface. Therefore, there is a need for a more robust testing procedure to understand the interaction of inhibitors and corroding metals in an environment, in particular, how a corrosion inhibitor efficiency may be affected over time. However, there are limited testing standards for corrosion testing at high temperature and high pressure in realistic environments. The ability to insert coupons and retract coupons at different time stamps would drastically improve testing regimes and the knowledge gap in this area can be reduced.

It is an object of this invention to mitigate some of these issues with potentially misleading results when collecting a coupon from a laboratory autoclave/reactor/pressure vessel when requiring such equipment to cool down and for the pressure to be released.

Embodiments of the present invention aim to provide a device for the in-situ extraction or insertion of test materials in the form of coupons/samples/specimens into an autoclave, in particular, but not exclusively, for the purpose of corrosion studies.

The present invention is defined in the attached independent Claims, to which reference should now be made. Further, preferred features may be found in the sub-Claims appended thereto.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device for use in testing a sealed environment, the device comprising: a shaft; a housing surrounding, and extending at least part of the length of, the shaft, said housing defining a cavity; a dynamic seal between the shaft and the housing; an environment isolation seal mounted to the shaft; wherein the shaft is axially slidable with respect to the housing and the dynamic seal.

The isolation seal preferably acts as an anti-blowout seal designed such that the testing material can be exposed for any desired duration and at any point in the heating/pressure cycle.

The device may further comprise a test sample holder attachable to the shaft within the cavity between the isolation seal and the dynamic seal.

The housing may be configured to couple the device to the sealed environment.

The housing may comprise a first part and a second part, the second part separatable from the first part to access the testing material holder when the device is coupled to the sealed environment The device may further comprise at least one testing material element removably attached to the testing material holder.

The testing material holder may be mounted concentrically around the shaft and is axially slidable with respect to the shaft. This design allows for at least two separate testing material elements to be accommodated onto the testing material holder. This has the further benefit of allowing the location of the testing material holder to be altered with respect to the shaft, for example, for exposing it out of the housing, removal of testing material elements and removal of the testing material holder from the device.

The isolation seal may be configured to create a seal with another part of the device when the device is in a retracted position.

The isolation seal may be configured to create a seal with the housing when the device is in the retracted position.

The device may be configured to connect to a vessel, said vessel comprising the sealed environment The shaft may be slidable into an inserted position wherein the isolation seal is open.

A volume of the cavity may be equal to a volume displaced by the device when the device is inserted into the sealed environment.

The device may further comprise a removable retainer to retain the testing material holder in place along the shaft during testing. Since the testing material holder is slidable with respect to the shaft, this has the benefit of keeping the testing material elements at the end of the shaft for better exposure to the testing environment.

The device may further comprise a limiter to limit the axially movement of the shaft with respect to the housing. This has the benefit of ensuring that parts of the device cannot slide of the shaft when the limiter is in place to help prevent loss of said parts According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing the device according to the first aspect of the present invention, comprising machining the shaft from bar stock. This allows the device to be made with minimal components, allowing for fewer crevices and galvanic couples whilst also avoiding the need for welding, wherein crevices, galvanic couples and welded areas may be more vulnerable to corrosion in a corrosive environment.

The invention also includes a method of performing repeatable corrosion tests during a process, the method comprising: isolating a testing environment from an external environment by a cavity by releasably sealing the cavity from the testing environment and sealing the cavity from the external environment; exposing a testing material inside the cavity to the testing environment by unsealing the cavity from the testing environment.

The method may further comprise resealing the cavity from the testing environment to re-isolate the testing environment from the cavity. This has the benefit that the process can remain ongoing whilst simultaneously removing and analysing of the testing material.

The method may further comprise opening a part of a housing of the cavity to remove the testing material when the testing environment is isolated from the cavity.

The method may further comprise replacing the testing material in the cavity and unsealing the cavity from the testing environment to expose the new testing material to the testing environment.

The cavity may be sealed from the external environment by a dynamic seal, the cavity may be sealed from the testing environment by a first seal, and the dynamic seal and the first seal may be mounted on a shaft such that the method may further comprise sliding the shaft into an inserted position to unseal the cavity from the testing environment and sliding the shaft into a retracted position to seal the cavity from the testing environment.

The method may use the device according to the first aspect of the invention coupled to the testing environment, such that replacing the testing material may comprises decoupling the dynamic seal from the housing; sliding the testing material holder down the shaft out of the cavity; detaching the at least one testing material element from the testing element holder; attaching at least one replacement testing material element to the testing material holder; sliding the testing material holder back into the cavity; and recoupling the dynamic seal to the housing. This has the benefit of a fast and simple replacement of testing material elements.

The method may use the device according to the first aspect of the invention coupled to the testing environment, such that replacing the testing material may comprise: disassembling the dynamic seal and the housing; removing the testing material holder comprising the at least one testing material element from the shaft; introducing a replacement testing material holder comprising at least one testing material element onto the shaft; sliding the testing material holder into the cavity; and reassembling the dynamic seal and housing. This has the benefit that the individual testing material elements are not themselves handled and, thus, less likely to be contaminated for a more precise test.

The method may further comprise repeating the steps of: isolating a testing environment from an external environment by a cavity by releasably sealing the cavity from the testing environment and sealing the cavity from the external environment; exposing a testing material inside the cavity to the testing environment by unsealing the cavity from the testing environment; resealing the cavity from the testing environment to re-isolate the testing environment from the cavity; opening a part of the cavity to remove the testing material when the testing environment is isolated from the cavity; and replacing the testing material in the cavity and unsealing the cavity from the testing environment to expose the new testing material to the testing environment for repeated testing of the testing environment during an ongoing process. Repeated testing may be beneficial for taking averages to provide more accurate data. Repeated testing may also be beneficial to examine how the environment evolves over time.

The device may be coupled to the testing environment by coupling the housing to a container containing the testing environment. This allows for a case where the device is adapted to an existing external vessel, wherein the existing external vessel comprises the environment to be tested.

The method may further comprise displacing a volume of fluid in the sealed environment into the cavity, said volume of fluid being equal to the volume displaced by inserting the device into the sealed environment.

The invention may include any combination of the features or limitations referred to herein, except such a combination of features as are mutually exclusive, or mutually inconsistent.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which: Fig. la is a front on view of a device according to a first example; Fig. lb is front on view of a device according to a second example; Fig. 2a is a cross-sectional view of the device according to the first example; Fig. 2b is a cross-sectional view of the device according to the second example; Fig. 3a shows the device according to the first example connected to a vessel, the device in a retracted position; Fig. 3b shows the device according to the second example connected to a vessel, the device in a retracted position; Fig. 4a shows the device according to the first example in an inserted position; Fig. 4b shows the device according to the second example in the inserted position; Fig. Sa is an isometric, cut away view of the device according to the first example wherein the device is in the inserted position; Fig. 6a is an isometric, cut away view the device according to the first example between the inserted position and the retracted position and the device is partly disassembled; Fig. 7a; is an isometric, cross-sectional view of the device according to the first example when the device is in the retracted position and the device is partly disassembled; and Fig. 7b a front on, cut away view of device according to the second example when the device is in the retracted position and the device is partly disassembled.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figure la is a front on view of a device 100 according to a first example and Figure lb is a front on view of a device 200 according to a second example. Figure 2a is a cross-sectional view of a device 100 according to the first example and Figure 2b is a cross-sectional view of a device 200 according to the second example. The device 100 and device 200 in Figures la to 2b comprise all of the following features. Device 100, 200 has an environment isolation seal 102 in the form of a plug. The plug 102 is mounted at the end of a shaft 108. Concentrically sounding the shaft 108 is a housing 110 comprising two parts: a first part 110a and a second part 110b. A length of the shaft 108 is longer than a length of the housing 110. There is a cavity between the exterior surface of the shaft 108 and the interior surface of the housing 110 which accommodates further features of the device 100, 200. There is further provided a body seal 120 and a body 0-ring 122. The body seal 120 can be made from polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). A test sample holder 112 is mountable concentrically onto the shaft 108. The test sample holder 112 can be made from polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). The test sample holder 112 supports testing material elements 114 which are secured to the test sample holder by a screw 116 and can be made from nylon. A dynamic seal 119 dynamically seals the shaft 108 against the housing 110 whilst allowing the shaft 108 to slide axially with respect to said housing 110.

A limiting nut 134 engages with the end of the threaded shaft 108 to prevent parts from slipping of the end of the shaft 108 when the device 100, 200 is assembled. The device 100, 200 has a removable retainer 118 to retain the testing material holder in place along the shaft during testing. The retainer 118 engages with notches 121 on the shaft 108. The removable retainer 118 is in the form of a retainer ring.

In the device 100 of figures la and 2a, the first part of the housing 110a and the second part of the housing 110b are engageable through a male and female thread and, thus, parts of the device can be removed from the inside of the housing as will be explained further in relation to Figures 4a to 4d. The first part of the housing 110a has a male thread 142 to engage with the female thread on a vessel as will be explained further in relation to figure 2a onwards.

In the device 200 of figures lb and 2b, the threaded connection is replaced by a flange connection. There is a third part of the housing 110c. The third part of the housing 110c is a gland flange. The second part of the housing 110b is connected to the first part of the housing 110a by screws 115a which screw into their corresponding threads 115b located in the first part of the housing 110a. The third part of the housing 110c is connected to the second part of the housing 110b by screws 117a which screw into their corresponding thread 117b located in the second part of the housing 110b. The arrangement of device 200 shifts the connection points between the first and second part of the housing to the periphery of the housing 110 of the device. This is in contrast to device 100 of the first example of the invention wherein the connection point is adjacent the testing material holder 114 in the axial direction. The arrangement of the connection points in device 200 allows the length of the device to be shortened resulting in a more compact device. A further benefit of the arrangement of device 200 is that it avoids the use of the threaded connection between the first and second part of the housing. This may be preferable since there is a possibility of galling of the tread (especially at high temperature) of the threaded connection as a result of repeated screwing and unscrewing of the threaded connection. The flange connection will prevent this from happening. The first part of the housing 110a has a male thread 142 to engage with the female thread on a vessel.

In the device 100, the dynamic seal 119 is created by the combined use of a slipper seal 126 and a secondary 0-ring 128.

In the device 200, the dynamic seal 119 is created by the combined use of a slipper seal 126, a secondary 0-ring 128 and a gland follower 138.

In the example of device 100 and 200, the test sample holder 112 is in the form of a hollow cylinder comprising indents which testing material elements 114 can slot into. However, the test sample holder may be in the form of an octagonal prism, or any suitable polygonal prism. Testing material elements 114 could then lie flat on the prism faces The device 100, 200 is designed to have a minimal number of components. This has the effect that the device 100, 200 has fewer crevices and galvanic couples which may make the device more vulnerable for use in corrosive environments Components can be machined from bar stock to avoid any welds to further improve the devices resilience to corrosive environments.

Figure 3a is a view of the device 100 connected to a vessel 140 and figure 3b is a view of the device 200 connected to a vessel 140. The thread 142 of the first part of the housing 110a is engaged with a thread 143 located on a base of the vessel 140 to ensure a hermetic seal between the housing 110a and the vessel 140. The vessel may be provided separately to the device which is configured to work with multiple vessels housing a testing environment or the vessel may be provided as part of the device. The vessel may be integrally formed with the housing 110. Figure 3a shows the device 100 in the retracted position and figure 3b shows the device 200 in the retracted position. In the retracted position the plug 102 creates a seal against an interior edge of the housing 110a such that fluid in the vessel 140 is hermetically separated from the cavity within the housing 110 In the example of the figures, the isolation seal creates a seal with a part of the housing of the device itself, however, the device may be configured to form a seal with walls of an aperture in the vessel since what is needed to be achieved for the device to work is a hermetic seal to separate the inside cavity of the vessel with the inside cavity of the housing Figure 4a shows the device 100 in the inserted position and figure 4b shows the device 200 in the inserted position. In the inserted position a portion of the shaft 108 is inserted into the vessel 140 such that the plug 102 and the interior edge of the housing 110a are apart and the vessel 140 is fluidly connected with the housing 110. The test sample holder 1 1 2 is retained at a first end of the shaft 108 wherein the first end of the shaft 108 is the end nearest the plug 102. The test sample holder 112 is retained by a removable retainer 118 such as a retainer ring. The test sample holder 112, is therefore, at least partly inserted into the vessel 140. In use, test samples 114 are attached to the test sample holder and are, therefore, similarly at least partly inserted into the vessel 140 thereby exposing the test samples 114 to the same environment as the environment within the vessel 140. The corrosiveness of an environment may be affected by a temperature, a pressure and chemical components within said environment.

The volume of the parts of the device 100, 200 which displace fluid from the vessel is equal to the volume inside the cavity inside the housing 110 for the displaced fluid to be accommodated in. Thus, the overall volume available to contain the fluid does not change between the volume within the vessel 140 before testing and the volume containing the fluid during testing when the device 100, 200 is in the inserted position. In other words, the volume capacity added to the environment by the cavity of the housing 110 is the same as the volume capacity of the vessel 140 lost from the volume of the inserted device 100, 200. As a result, there is a net zero change in the volume containing the fluid of the testing environment before and during testing. This ensures more accurate results from the corrosion test than if the volume differed upon carrying out the testing procedure.

The fluids in the testing environment may be composed of liquids and gases. Temperature and pressure are affected by a change in volume in a gaseous environment and, since temperature and pressure are variables that affect a corrosive process, the volume when testing must reflect the volume of the actual testing environment such that the temperature and pressure are that of the actual testing environment when carrying out the corrosion test The device 100, 200 allows the users to simulate realistic conditions in the exact process environment to truly understand the corrosion mechanisms taking place in order to predict and manage production safely and effectively. The device 100, 200 allows the users to insert the testing material element 114, and in some cases corrosion inhibitors, once the target temperature and pressure have been achieved. This may lead to more realistic representation of corrosion in real world processes.

Figures 5a to 7a show the device 100 moving from the inserted position whereby the testing material elements are exposed to the testing environment to the retracted position and the partial disassembly of the device 100.

Figure 5a is an isometric, cut away view of the device 100 wherein the device is in the inserted position. In this position, the shaft 108 extends into the vessel 140 and the test samples 114 supported by the test sample holder 112 are exposed to the temperature, pressure and chemical components in the vessel 140. Thus, the corrosiveness of the environment in the vessel 140 can be observed.

To move the device 100, 200 is between the inserted position and the retracted position, the shaft 108 is slide axially with respect to the housing 110 to draw the end of the shaft comprising the test material holder 112 into the housing 110. The shaft 108 is slide axially with respect to the housing 110 until the plug 102 abuts the housing 110a. The interior of the device remains isolated from the exterior environment thanks to the dynamic seal 119. The force of pulling the shaft 108 in a direction away from the vessel 140 has the effect of creating a seal between the plug 102 and the housing 110a. A lip seal 104 and a PTFE seat insert 106 are positioned between the plug and the housing 110a. The sealing properties of the lip seal 104 and the PTFE seat insert 106 have the effect of providing a strong, reliable seal. Thus, sliding the shaft 108 axially with respect to the housing 110 such that the device moves from the inserted position to the retracted position, moves the device from being in a state wherein the housing 110 and the vessel 140 are fluidly connected and the testing material element holder with testing material elements are exposed to the environment within the vessel to a state wherein the vessel environment is isolated from an interior section of the housing 110. At this stage the interior of the housing is still isolated from the exterior environment as a result of the dynamic seal 119 Figures 6a and 7a are views of the device 100 when the device is in the retracted position and the device is partly disassembled. Since the vessel 140 is hermetically sealed from an interior section of the housing 110, the second part of the housing 110b can be separated from the first part of the housing 110a without compromising the hermetic sealing of fluid within the vessel 140. Thus, the testing environment is still isolated from the external environment. The second part of the housing 110b is separated from the first part of the housing 110a by unscrewing their common thread and sliding the second part of the housing 110b axially along the shaft 108 in a direction away from the vessel 140. At this stage, the interior of the housing is no longer isolated from the external environment. The retaining ring 118 can be removed and the test sample holder 112 slid axially along the shaft 108 in a direction away from the vessel 140 until the test sample holder 112 protrudes beyond the first part of the housing 110a. The test samples 114 can then be removed from the test sample holder 112.

Figures 7b is a front on, cut away view of device 200 when the device is in the retracted position and the device is partly disassembled. As with device 100, the second part of the housing 110b can be separated from the first part of the housing 110a of device 200 without compromising the hermetic sealing of fluid within the vessel 140. Thus, the testing environment is still isolated from the external environment. The second part of the housing 110b is separated from the first part of the housing 110a by unscrewing screws 115a from their corresponding threads 115b in the first part of the housing 110a and sliding the second part of the housing 110b axially along the shaft 108 in a direction away from the vessel 140.

At this stage, the interior of the housing is no longer isolated from the external environment.

The retaining ring 118 can be removed and the test sample holder 112 slid axially along the shaft 108 in a direction away from the vessel 140 until the test sample holder 112 protrudes beyond the first part of the housing 110a. The test samples 114 can then be removed from the test sample holder 112. This method allows for individual testing material elements to be retrieved at different periods of the test. This can be achieved without removing the test sample holder 112 which may be laborious and time consuming. Since the testing environment is always hermetically sealed from the external environment at any point during moving the device from the inserted position to the retracted position and back to the inserted position, the process taking place to create said testing environment may take place continuously and when the device is in any state. This leads to the further benefit that the testing material elements 114 can be inserted, removed and replaced during an ongoing process that is creating an environment to be tested. This is an improvement on testing methods which do not allow for the testing material to be exposed at target temperature and pressure.

The device 100, 200 is also configured such that the sample holder 112 can be completely removed from the device 100, 200. This has the benefit of avoiding physically touching the surface of the testing material element to avoid the risk of potential contamination. To achieve this the limiter 134 is unscrewed from the end of the shaft 108 and slid off the end, followed by the second part of the housing 110b (and third part of the housing 110c in the example of device 200) and the retainer 118. After which the sample holder 112 can be slid off the shaft 108.

For further testing of the testing environment, new testing material elements are reinserted into the testing environment. This is achieved by attaching them to the sample holder. Then reassembling the device by sliding the sample holder back onto the shaft, followed by the second part of the housing 110b and reattaching the limiter 134. Alternatively, where the device has not been partially disassembled, testing material elements 114 are easily replaced onto the sample material holder 112 when the sample material holder 112 is still mounted onto the shaft 108.

The cavity inside the housing 110 can be purged with a gas to sterilise the environment within the housing and the testing material elements 114 prior to their insertion into the testing environment. This can be achieved by attaching a gas supply to an aperture in the housing 110. The aperture in the housing may comprise a valve to ensure the environment within the cavity of the housing 110 is isolated from the external environment The device 100, 200, acts as a probe. It can be manually operated for insertion/retraction.

Alternatively, it can be operated by an actuator. The actuator can be connected to a computer which is programmed to actuate the actuator such that the probe is inserted and retracted at predetermined intervals.

In some examples of the present invention the vessel forms part of the device. This has the benefit of minimising component parts in the device to reduce crevices which are particularly susceptible to corrosion.

The device can be used to generate data in a number of industries and applications, specifically it can be used to analyse the effects of heat up and cool down time and the effect this has on the final state of the corrosive environment.

In some processes, chemicals may be used to inhibit corrosion. This may have the effect that process conditions are continuously fluctuating and it may be difficult to understand the interaction between components in the environment which are components which contribute to corrosion productions and components whish alleviate the production of corrosion (corrosion inhibitors and corrosion producers). The device and method outlined herein is particularly useful for this application since it provides a robust testing procedure to understand interactions between components within a corrosion environment and, in particular, how a corrosion inhibitor's efficiency is affected. This is an improvement on testing methods which do not allow for the testing material element to be exposed to the process components, such as brine and corrosion inhibitor at target temperature and pressure.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance, it should be understood that the applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features referred to herein, and/or shown in the drawings, whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

CLAIMSA device for use in testing a sealed environment, the device comprising: a shaft; a housing surrounding, and extending at least part of the length of, the shaft, said housing defining a cavity; a dynamic seal between the shaft and the housing; an environment isolation seal mounted to the shaft; wherein the shaft is axially sl dable with respect to the housing and the dynamic seal.
2. The device of Claim 1, further comprising a test sample holder attachable to the shaft within the cavity between the isolation seal and the dynamic seal.
3. The device of Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the housing is configured to couple the device to the sealed environment.
4. The device of any of Claims Ito 3, wherein the housing comprises a first part and a second part, the second part separatable from the first part to access the cavity when the device is coupled to the sealed environment.
5. The device of any of Claims 2 to 4, further comprising at least one testing material element removably attached to the testing material holder.
6. The device of any of Claims 2 to 5, wherein the testing material holder is mounted concentrically around the shaft and is axially slidable with respect to the shaft.
7. The device of any preceding Claim, wherein the isolation seal is configured to create a seal with another part of the device when the device is in a retracted position.
8. The device of Claim 7, wherein the isolation seal is configured to create a seal with the housing when the device is in the retracted position.
9. The device of any preceding Claim, wherein the device is configured to connect to a vessel, said vessel comprising the sealed environment
10. The device of any preceding Claim, wherein the shaft is slidable into an inserted position wherein the isolation seal is open.
11. The device of Claim 10, wherein a volume of the cavity is equal to a volume displaced by the device when the device is inserted into the sealed environment.
12. The device of any of Claims 2 to 11, further comprising a removable retainer to retain the testing material holder in place along the shaft during testing.
13. The device of any preceding Claim, further comprising a limiter to limit the axially movement of the shaft with respect to the housing
14. A method of manufacturing the device of any of Claims 1 to 13, comprising machining the shaft from bar stock.
15. A method for performing repeatable corrosion tests during a process comprising: isolating a testing environment from an external environment by a cavity by releasably sealing the cavity from the testing environment and sealing the cavity from the external environment; exposing a testing material inside the cavity to the testing environment by unsealing the cavity from the testing environment.
16 The method of Claim 15, further comprising resealing the cavity from the testing environment to re-isolate the testing environment from the cavity.
17. The method of Claim 16, further comprising opening a part of a housing of the cavity to remove the testing material when the testing environment is isolated from the cavity.
18. The method of claim 17, further comprising replacing the testing material in the cavity and unsealing the cavity from the testing environment to expose the new testing material to the testing environment.
19 The method of any of claims 15 to 18, wherein the cavity is sealed from the external environment by a dynamic seal and the cavity is sealed from the testing environment by a first seal, the dynamic seal and the first seal mounted on a shaft, the method further comprising sliding the shaft into an inserted position to unseal the cavity from the testing environment and sliding the shaft into a retracted position to seal the cavity from the testing environment.
20. The method of claim 18 using the device of any of claims 1 to 13 coupled to the testing environment, wherein replacing the testing material comprises.decoupling the dynamic seal from the housing; sliding the testing material holder down the shaft out of the cavity; detaching the at least one testing material element from the testing element holder; attaching at least one replacement testing material element to the testing material holder, sliding the testing material holder back into the cavity; and recoupling the dynamic seal to the housing.
21. The method of claim 18 using the device of any of claims Ito 13 coupled to the testing environment, wherein replacing the testing material comprises: disassembling the dynamic seal and the housing; removing the testing material holder comprising the at least one testing material element from the shaft; introducing a replacement testing material holder comprising at least one testing material element onto the shaft; sliding the testing material holder into the cavity and reassembling the dynamic seal and housing.
22. The method of any of Claims 18 to 21, further comprising repeating the steps of claim 15 to claim 17 for repeated testing of the testing environment during an ongoing process.
23 The method of any of Claims 15 to 22, further comprising displacing a volume of fluid in the sealed environment into the cavity, said volume of fluid being equal to the volume displaced by inserting the device into the sealed environment.