WO2007004796A1

WO2007004796A1 - Closed liquid sampler system and method of extracting sample using the same

Info

Publication number: WO2007004796A1
Application number: PCT/KR2006/002461
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kang Seog Suh; Jin Eui Kim; Yi Gwon Kim; Do Hyoun Kim; Hong Jun Kim
Original assignee: Sk Corporation
Priority date: 2005-07-04
Filing date: 2006-06-26
Publication date: 2007-01-11
Also published as: KR20070004286A; KR101143707B1

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a closed liquid sampler system, in which gas generated when a process sample is extracted is not emitted to the air but can be treated in the system. The closed liquid sampler system of this invention includes a sample supplier provided at one side of a pipeline which carries petrochemical material for supplying a sample of the petrochemical material; a sample return part for returning the petrochemical material supplied from the sample supplier to the pipeline; a cylinder provided on a first pipeline between the sample supplier and the sample return part for holding the sample; a flare system connected to the cylinder through the first pipeline and a fourth pipeline for removing gas generated in the cylinder; and a glass bottle mounted directly under the cylinder for collecting the sample that falls from the cylinder using gravity.

Description

CLOSED LIQUID SAMPLER SYSTEM AND METHOD OF EXTRACTING SAMPLE USING THE SAME

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates, generally, to equipment for extracting a sample in a petrochemical process, and more particularly, to a sampler system which is capable of safely and quantitatively extracting a sample in a sampling process that generates poisonous gas due to the vaporization of a volatile organic compound (VOC) which causes air pollution and is harmful to the human body. Background Art

[2] In general, VOCs, such as acetaldehyde (CH CHO), acetylene (C H ), benzene (C

3 2 2 6

H ), ethylene (C H ), methanol (CH OH), and propylene (C H ), have very high

6 2 4 3 3 6 volatility. Thus, when such VOCs are exposed to the air, they are volatilized in the air in the form of harmful gases, leading to air pollution. Further, in the case where the human body is exposed to the polluted air, the harmful component is absorbed into the human body through the respiratory organs, thereby causing various ailments.

[3] Accordingly, such VOCs are classified as regulated material and thus are managed by related laws. In the process of handling such material, the sample should be frequently extracted and analyzed so as not to pollute the atmospheric environment.

[4] Meanwhile, in the process of producing petrochemicals, a sample has been periodically extracted for quality control during operation of the process. As such, part of the sample exposed to the air is vaporized, thus generating VOCs. Due to odors caused by such VOCs, the case where harmful materials are ingested through the respiratory organs of the body of a worker or contact the skin thereof frequently occurs, and thus, workers suffer from respiratory organ diseases or skin diseases. That is, the above- mentioned problems are caused by vaporization upon reduction of the pressure of fluid (from process pressure to atmospheric pressure) during the process of producing petrochemicals.

[5] In order to solve the problems, in the case of a liquid sample, conventional sampling equipment comprises a process pipe and a 1/2 tube mounted therein to directly collect the sample into a glass bottle (500 cc) under atmospheric pressure so as to prevent the escape of the vaporized gas outside the glass bottle. Further, according to environmental regulations governing odorous compounds and VOCs, the equipment is structured such that gases generated when the liquid sample is extracted are filtered with an activated carbon filter and then emitted to the air, thus enabling safe extraction of the sample. [6] The structure of such conventional sampling equipment is shown in FIG. 1.

[7] Particularly, in the case where liquid petrochemical flows through a pipeline 1, the sample of the petrochemical is extracted in such a manner that a predetermined amount of the petrochemical is allowed to flow through a sample line 2 branched from the pipeline 1, and then the sample flowing through the sample line 2 is collected into a liquid sampler 6 via a sample line 4 from a three-way valve 3. As such, while the pressure is reduced from the process pressure to atmospheric pressure, VOCs, that is, harmful gases, are generated in the liquid sampler 6, and are then supplied into a canister 7 having an activated carbon filter 8 through a vent line 5. Subsequently, pollutants in the VOCs are adsorbed onto the activated carbon filter 8 included in the canister 7, after which the other materials are emitted to the air. Thereby, the emission of poisonous gases to the air is prevented.

[8] However, in the case of using such sampling equipment, the volume of the activated carbon filter 8 included in the canister 7 is limited, and thus, it is difficult to treat large amounts of VOCs. Further, since the lifetime of the activated carbon filter 8 is somewhat limited, the filter should be periodically replaced after a predetermined period of time. Thus, when the carbon filter is not replaced after the predetermined period of time, poisonous gases containing pollutants are undesirably emitted into the air.

[9] Therefore, required are methods that fundamentally overcome the problem of emission of VOCs into the air during the production of the chemicals mentioned above.

Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[10] Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems encountered in the related art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a closed liquid sampler system, in which poisonous gas generated when a process sample is extracted is not emitted to the air but can be completely treated in the system.

Technical Solution

[11] In order to accomplish the above object, the present invention provides a closed liquid sampler system, comprising a sample supplier provided at one side of a pipeline which carries petrochemical material for supplying a sample of the petrochemical material; a sample return part for returning the petrochemical material supplied from the sample supplier to the pipeline; a cylinder provided on a first pipeline between the sample supplier and the sample return part for holding the sample; a flare system conne cted to the cylinder through the first pipeline and a fourth pipeline for removing gas generated in the cylinder; and a glass bottle mounted directly under the cylinder for collecting the sample, which falls from the cylinder due to gravity.

[12] As such, the closed liquid sampler system may further comprise a purging part for purging the cylinder and the glass bottle using a predetermined gas before loading the sample in the cylinder and the glass bottle.

[13] In addition, the present invention provides a method of extracting a sample, comprising a sample filling step of causing a sample to flow from a sample supplier to a sample return part, provided at one side of a pipeline which carries petrochemical material, for filling a cylinder with the sample; a cylinder pressure reduction step of connecting the cylinder filled with the sample to a flare system for reducing pressure of the cylinder to pressure of the flare system; a pressure control step of breaking connection of the cylinder and the flare system and connecting the cylinder to a glass bottle for controlling the pressure of the cylinder and the glass bottle to be uniform; and a sample extraction step of allowing a liquid sample loaded in the cylinder to fall from the cylinder due to gravity for collecting the sample into the glass bottle.

[14] As such, the method of the present invention may further comprise a first purging step of purging material in the cylinder to the flare system using a predetermined gas, before the sample filling step for filling the cylinder with the sample, and a second purging step of breaking the connection of the cylinder and the flare system and purging material in the glass bottle to an atmosphere using a predetermined gas, after the cylinder pressure reduction step. Brief Description of the Drawings

[15] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[16] FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing the structure of conventional sampling equipment;

[17] FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing the structure of a closed liquid sampler system of the present invention; and

[18] FIGS. 3 to 7 are views showing a process of extracting a sample using the closed liquid sampler system of the present invention. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[19] Hereinafter, a detailed description will be given of the present invention.

[20] FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing the structure of the closed liquid sampler system of the present invention, and FIGS. 3 to 7 are views showing the process of extracting a sample using the closed liquid sampler system of the present invention.

[21] As shown in FIG. 2, the closed liquid sampler system of the present invention comprises a sample supplier 100 provided at one side of a pipeline (not shown) which carries petrochemical material, a sample return part 110 for returning the petrochemical material supplied from the sample supplier 100 to the pipeline, a cylinder 120 provided on a first pipeline 160 between the sample supplier 100 and the sample return part 110, a flare system 130 for removing gas generated in the cylinder 120, and a glass bottle 150 for collecting the sample falling from the cylinder 120.

[22] In the present invention, when liquid chemical material flows through the main pipeline (not shown), a predetermined amount of the sample is periodically extracted for inspection of the state of the material so as to maintain the quality of the material at a predetermined level. Particularly, the sample supplier 100 and the sample return part 110 are branched at one side of the main pipeline (not shown) such that the predetermined amount of the process sample is circulated along the main pipeline, the sample supplier 100, another pipeline, the sample return part 110, and then the main pipeline. The cylinder 120, which is filled with the sample, is provided between the sample supplier 100 and the sample return part 110.

[23] The flare system 130, which is connected to the cylinder 120 through pipelines, functions to remove poisonous gas generated from the sample loaded in the cylinder 120 therethrough. However, in the case where the poisonous gas generated from the sample is emitted through the flare system 130, the flare system 130 may cause back pressure, to a maximum of 3.5 kg/cm g. As such, the problem in which the cylinder 120 is required to withstand such back pressure occurs. Thus, in the present invention, the cylinder 120 is preferably formed of stainless steel in order to withstand the back pressure caused by the flare system 130.

[24] The glass bottle 150 is connected to the cylinder 120 through a fifth pipeline 210, and thus functions to collect the process sample loaded in the cylinder 120. That is, the glass bottle 150 is provided directly under the cylinder 120 to collect the process sample falling due to gravity. The glass bottle 150 may be formed using a glass bottle and a bomb. However, in the case of collecting the liquid sample in the bomb, the sample should be transferred again into a glass bottle for analysis in a laboratory. In this case, since the bomb itself has internal pressure, part of the sample is vaporized and thus the poisonous gas may be undesirably emitted again into the air. Hence, in order to completely solve such a problem, it is preferred that the sample be directly collected into the glass bottle on the spot.

[25] The glass bottle 150 is provided with a second pipeline 170 for connecting the inside of the glass bottle to the atmosphere. Further, a third pipeline 180 for connecting the glass bottle 150 and the first pipeline 160 above the cylinder 120 is connected to the second pipeline 170 through a predetermined valve 260.

[26] In the present invention, the third pipeline 180 may be connected to the first pipeline 160, and the first pipeline 160 may be connected to the fourth pipeline 190. As shown in the drawing, the connection of the pipelines is realized through the operation of a switching part 200. The connection of the first pipeline 160 and the fourth pipeline 190 is realized when treating the poisonous gas, which occurs from the sample loaded in the cylinder 120, through the flare system 130. The connection of the first pipeline 160 and the third pipeline 180 is realized when the pressure of the cylinder 120 and the glass bottle 150 is kept uniform.

[27] In addition, the closed liquid sampler system having the above structure further includes a purging part 140 for purging the inside of the cylinder 120 and the glass bottle 150 using a predetermined gas, before loading the sample in the cylinder and the glass bottle 150. The gas used for the purging process includes N , but the present invention is not limited thereto. In FIG. 2, although the purging part 140 is connected to the fifth pipeline 210, which is used to connect the cylinder 120 and the glass bottle 150 to each other, through a third valve 240, the position thereof is not limited thereto.

[28] Moreover, the cylinder 120 of the present invention is equipped with a pressure gauge 290. In the case where the pressure of the cylinder 120 is reduced to the pressure of the flare system 130, the pressure gauge acts to measure the pressure of the cylinder 120. The pipeline connecting the purging part 140 and the fifth pipeline 210 is equipped with a pressure regulator 300, such that the pressure of the purging gas supplied from the purging part 140 may be appropriately adjusted.

[29] In the present invention, several valves may be used. A first valve 220, a fourth valve 250, and a seventh valve 280 may be formed on the pipelines to control the flow of the process liquid. Further, a second valve 230, a third valve 240, a fifth valve 260 and a sixth valve 270 are connected to three or more pipelines and thus function to control the flow of the process liquid and change the direction of the flow.

[30] Turning now to FIGS. 3 to 7, the process of extracting the sample is illustrated using the closed liquid sampler system having the above structure.

[31] FIG. 3 shows a first purging step of removing material in the cylinder 120 using a predetermined gas before filling the cylinder 120 with the process sample. As shown in the drawing, the first pipeline 160 and the fourth pipeline 190 are connected to each other through the switching part 200, the fourth valve 250, the first valve 220 and the seventh valve 280 are opened, the second valve 230 and the third valve 240 are oriented toward the cylinder 120, and the sixth valve 270 is oriented toward the flare system 130. Then, the cylinder 120 is sufficiently purged using N gas supplied from the purging part 140 to purge the material in the cylinder into the flare system 130. After sufficiently purging the cylinder 120, the fourth valve 250 and the seventh valve 280 are closed, and thus, a subsequent procedure is prepared.

[32] FIG. 4 shows a sample filling step of causing the process sample to flow from the sample supplier 100 to the sample return part 110, which are provided at one side of the main pipeline (not shown) which carries petrochemical material, for filling the cylinder with the process sample. As shown in the drawing, the second valve 230 is oriented toward the cylinder 120 from the sample supplier 100, and the sixth valve 270 is oriented toward the sample return part 110 from the cylinder 120, such that the sample is circulated via the sample return part 110 from the sample supplier 100. As such, the second valve 230 and the sixth valve 270 are turned in the off direction in order to hold the sample in the cylinder 120.

[33] FIG. 5 shows a cylinder pressure reduction step of connecting the cylinder 120 filled with the sample to the flare system 120 for reducing the pressure of the cylinder 120 to the pressure of the flare system 130. The reason why the pressure of the cylinder 120 is reduced is to induce the generation of poisonous gas from the sample so as to remove it through the flare system 130. As shown in the drawing, with the goal of reducing the pressure of the cylinder 120, the seventh valve 280 is opened, and the sixth valve 270 is oriented toward the flare system 130 from the cylinder 120, after which the above procedure continues until the pressure gauge 290 of the cylinder 120 indicates zero, leading to reduction of the internal pressure of the cylinder 120.

[34] In this way, when the internal pressure of the cylinder 120 is reduced, the greatest amount of poisonous gas generated during a fluid pressure reduction process (from process pressure to atmospheric pressure) may be removed through the flare system 130. Consequently, the probability of emitting odors and VOCs to the air is fundamentally blocked.

[35] Further, in the case where the poisonous gas generated in the cylinder 120 filled with the sample is emitted through the flare system 130, the effect of the back pressure caused by the flare system 130 should be sufficiently considered when designing the equipment. To this end, the cylinder 120 is preferably formed of stainless steel.

[36] After the completion of the reduction of the pressure of the cylinder 120, the seventh valve 280 is closed, and the sixth valve 270 is turned in the off direction. For a subsequent procedure, the first valve 220 is closed, and then the third pipeline 180 is connected to the first pipeline 160.

[37] FIG. 6 shows a second purging step of breaking the connection of the cylinder 120 and the flare system 130 and purging the material in the glass bottle 150 to the atmosphere using a predetermined gas, after the cylinder pressure reduction step. As shown in the drawing, the third valve 240 is oriented toward the glass bottle 150 from the purging part 140, and the fourth valve 250 is opened, and thus the material in the glass bottle 150 is purged to the air through the second pipeline 170 using the N gas supplied from the purging part 140. After the purging process has been sufficiently conducted in the glass bottle 150, the fourth valve 250 is closed, the third valve 240 is oriented toward the glass bottle 150 from the cylinder 120, and the fifth valve 260 is turned in the off direction.

[38] FIG. 7 shows a pressure control step of breaking the connection of the cylinder 120 and the flare system 130 and connecting the cylinder 120 and the glass bottle 150 to each other to uniformly control the pressure of the cylinder 120 and the glass bottle 150, and a sample extraction step of allowing the sample loaded in the cylinder 120 to fall from the cylinder 120 due to gravity for collecting the sample into the glass bottle 150, after controlling the pressure of the cylinder 120 to be uniform with that of the glass bottle 150. As shown in the drawing, the third pipeline 180 is connected to the first pipeline 160 using the switching part 200, the first valve 220 is opened, the second valve 230 is oriented toward the glass bottle 150 from the cylinder 120, and the fifth valve 260 is oriented toward the cylinder 120 from the glass bottle 150. In this way, the cylinder 120 and the glass bottle 150 are connected to each other, such that the pressure of the cylinder 120 and the glass bottle 150 can be maintained uniform.

[39] Through the above procedure, when the pressure of the cylinder 120 and the glass bottle 150 is maintained uniform, the sample loaded in the cylinder 120 falls from the cylinder 120 due to gravity and is then collected into the glass bottle 150. Thereby, a predetermined amount of the process sample may be collected in the glass bottle 150.

[40] That is, the method of the present invention is advantageous because all the poisonous gases occurring in the sample extracting process may be treated in the system of the present invention, thereby stably extracting the sample.

[41] In addition, the method of the present invention is advantageous because the cylinder 120 is separated from the flare system 130 and the glass bottle 150 is connected directly under the cylinder 120, and thus, the sample is collected in the glass bottle 150 due to gravity, thereby solving the problem related to equipment stability due to back pressure caused by the flare system 130.

[42] After the collection of the sample into the glass bottle 150 as mentioned above, the second valve 230 and the fifth valve 260 are turned in the off direction, and the third valve 240 is oriented toward the cylinder 120 from the purging part 140. Further, the first valve 220 is closed, and the third pipeline 180 is separated from the first pipeline 160, thus the sampling process is returned to its initial state. Then, the glass bottle 150 is eliminated, thereby completing the process of extracting the sample.

Industrial Applicability

[43] As described hereinbefore, the present invention provides a closed liquid sampler system and a method of extracting a sample using the same. According to the present invention, the generation of odors and VOCs when extracting the liquid sample to confirm the quality of petrochemicals using the closed liquid sampler system of the present invention can be permanently minimized.

[44] Moreover, in the sampler system of the present invention, a cylinder is separated from a flare system and then a glass bottle is connected directly under the cylinder to collect the sample using gravity, thus solving the problem of equipment stability due to back pressure caused by the flare system.

[45] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.

Claims

[1] A closed liquid sampler system, comprising: a sample supplier provided at one side of a pipeline which carries petrochemical material for supplying a sample of the petrochemical material; a sample return part for returning the petrochemical material supplied from the sample supplier to the pipeline; a cylinder provided on a first pipeline between the sample supplier and the sample return part for holding the sample; a flare system connected to the cylinder through the first pipeline and a fourth pipeline for removing gas generated in the cylinder; and a glass bottle mounted directly under the cylinder for collecting the sample, which falls from the cylinder due to gravity.

[2] The closed liquid sampler system according to claim 1, further comprising a purging part for purging the cylinder and the glass bottle using a predetermined gas before loading the sample in the cylinder and the glass bottle.

[3] The closed liquid sampler system according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined gas comprises N .

[4] The closed liquid sampler system according to claim 1, further comprising a second pipeline for connecting the glass bottle to an atmosphere.

[5] The closed liquid sampler system according to claim 4, further comprising a third pipeline for connecting the second pipeline and the first pipeline to each other.

[6] The closed liquid sampler system according to claim 5, further comprising a switching part for connecting the first pipeline and the third pipeline to each other or the first pipeline and the fourth pipeline, connected to the flare system, to each other.

[7] The closed liquid sampler system according to claim 1, wherein the cylinder is formed of stainless steel.

[8] A method of extracting a sample, comprising: a sample filling step of causing a sample to flow from a sample supplier to a sample return part, provided at one side of a pipeline which carries petrochemical material, for filling a cylinder with the sample; a cylinder pressure reduction step of connecting the cylinder filled with the sample to a flare system for reducing pressure of the cylinder to pressure of the flare system; a pressure control step of breaking connection of the cylinder and the flare system and connecting the cylinder to a glass bottle for controlling the pressure of the cylinder and the glass bottle to be uniform; and a sample extraction step of allowing a liquid sample loaded in the cylinder to fall from the cylinder due to gravity for collecting the sample into the glass bottle, after controlling the pressure of the cylinder and the glass bottle to be uniform.

[9] The method according to claim 8, further comprising a first purging step of purging material in the cylinder to the flare system using a predetermined gas, before the sample filling step for filling the cylinder with the sample.

[10] The method according to claim 8, further comprising a second purging step of breaking the connection of the cylinder and the flare system and purging material in the glass bottle to an atmosphere using a predetermined gas, after the cylinder pressure reduction step.

[11] The method according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the predetermined gas comprises N .