WO2015097345A1 - A sampler for taking samples from a process flow and a method for taking samples - Google Patents

A sampler for taking samples from a process flow and a method for taking samples Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2015097345A1
WO2015097345A1 PCT/FI2014/051044 FI2014051044W WO2015097345A1 WO 2015097345 A1 WO2015097345 A1 WO 2015097345A1 FI 2014051044 W FI2014051044 W FI 2014051044W WO 2015097345 A1 WO2015097345 A1 WO 2015097345A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
sample
sampling unit
flow
sampler
process flow
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/FI2014/051044
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Christian Von Alfthan
Tapio Korpela
Original Assignee
Outotec (Finland) Oy
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Outotec (Finland) Oy filed Critical Outotec (Finland) Oy
Publication of WO2015097345A1 publication Critical patent/WO2015097345A1/en

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Classifications

    • 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
    • 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
    • G01N2001/1006—Dispersed solids
    • G01N2001/1012—Suspensions
    • G01N2001/1025—Liquid suspensions; Slurries; Mud; Sludge

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a sampler, and more particularly to a sampler as defined in the preamble of independent claim 1 .
  • the present invention relates also to a method for taking samples, and more particularly to a method as defined in the preamble of independent claim 1 1 .
  • Publication WO 03/069313 discloses a method and apparatus for taking slurry samples containing solids from a large, essentially horizontally flowing process flow, in which process flow there is at least partly immersed a sampler, and where the sampling is carried out in at least two steps.
  • the solids-bearing process flow is conducted into a sampler comprising at least three sampling units that are arranged in the process flow channel in such a position that in the process flow direction, at the same spot where part of the process flow enters the sampling units, the slurry flow left outside the sampling units is directed onto a lower level.
  • the slurry flows obtained from the sampling units are combined and subjected to mixing before the slurry flows are returned to new sampling that alternatively includes either the first sampling step or the extracting of a sample for an analysis.
  • the sample taken from the process flow may be not representative in quality because the process flow coming toward the sampler may be inhomogeneous containing more less or different solids in the flow which does not enter the sampler and the sample taken from the process flow may indicate that there is more, less or different solids than there actually are in the average process flow and then the sample gives a wrong indication.
  • the second step in which another sample is taken from the first sample does not sufficiently change the outcome of the sample taken from the process flow.
  • An object of the present invention is thus to provide a sampler and a method for taking samples so as to alleviate the above disadvantages.
  • the objects of the invention are achieved by a sampler and a method, which are characterized by what is stated in the independent claims.
  • the preferred embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the dependent claims.
  • the invention is based on the idea of providing a, at least two phase, sampling device, i.e. a sampler, which comprises sampling units that are arranged to be moved laterally across the process flow.
  • the first sampling unit is provided with a second sampling unit depending from the first sampling unit which both sampling units move laterally across the process and/or sample flow.
  • the first sampling unit moves laterally across the process flow and the second sampling unit moves laterally across the sample flow of the first sampling unit.
  • the first and the second sampling units move across the process and/or sample flow independently such that the both sampling units move asynchronously.
  • the invention relates to a sampler for taking samples from a process flow.
  • Said process flow is arranged to flow in a flowing channel.
  • the sampler is in fluid communication with the flowing channel.
  • the sampler comprises a first sampling unit and a second sampling unit.
  • the first sampling unit is arranged to move laterally across the process flow for separating at least one first sample flow from the process flow.
  • the second sampling unit is arranged in connection with the first sampling unit and arranged to move laterally across the at least one first sample flow coming from the first sampling unit for separating at least one second sample flow from said at least one first sample flow.
  • the solids containing slurry i.e. the process flow, flows along a flowing channel and there is a sampler arranged in a fluid communication with the channel.
  • the sampler may be mechanically connected to the channel or it may be arranged only in a fluid communication with the channel for example over the flowing channel such that a fluid communication is arranged between a part of the flowing channel and the first sampling unit for allowing part of the process flow to flow into the first sampling unit.
  • the flowing channel preferably extends through the sampler such that while part of the process flow enters the sampling unit the rest of the process flow continues flowing in the flowing channel.
  • the flowing channel is arranged such that when the part of the process flow enters the first sampling unit the rest of the process flow is conducted onto a lower level in the flowing channel.
  • the flowing channel is preferably arranged in a horizontal or substantially horizontal direction and the sampling units are arranged with respect to the flowing channel such that the process flow coming through the flowing channel continues its flow into the sampling unit preferably without any major changes in the bottom level.
  • the sampling units may comprise one or more sample cutters that are arranged adjacently or spaced from one another and at least partly immersed in the process flow proceeding in the horizontal or substantially horizontal direction.
  • the sample cutters are arranged movably in relation to the process channel such that either the first sampling unit moves laterally across the process flow moving all the sample cutters at the same time or the individual sample cutters are arranged to move laterally across the process flow.
  • the individual sample cutters may be moved synchronously or asynchronously with respect to each other in the first sampling unit.
  • the first sampling unit takes samples from the process flow with the sample cutters.
  • the sample cutters comprise an input aperture and an output aperture and between said apertures a channel through said cutter.
  • the process flow that flows through the sample cutter in the first sampling unit is called a first sample flow.
  • the second sample flow flows through the second sampling unit comprising second sample cutters which comprise an inlet aperture and an outlet aperture and a channel between said apertures for the second sample flow to flow through the sample cutter.
  • the second sample cutters are likewise arranged to move laterally across the sample flow similarly like the first sample cutters across the process flow. This means that the sample cutters are arrange to move either as a second sampling unit together or individually.
  • the first and the second sampling unit or the first and the second sample cutters are arranged to move asynchronously such that the movement of the first sampling unit does not depend on the movement of the second sampling unit.
  • After the second sampling unit the second sample flow is led to join the process flow or to another location and after the second sampling unit there may be additional sampling units arranged to take samples from the second and subsequent flows.
  • the first sampling unit comprises a first set of sample cutters and said second sampling unit comprising a second set of sample cutters.
  • the first sampling unit may comprise only one sample cutter and/or the second sampling unit may comprise only one sample cutter.
  • Each sample cutter forms a sample flow.
  • a sample cutter forms a first sample flow and in the second sampling unit a sample cutter forms a second sample flow.
  • the first and second set of sample cutters comprise at least two sample cutters.
  • the first and the second sampling units are arranged to move independently from each other.
  • the first and the second sampling units may also be are arranged to move asynchronously with respect to each other.
  • the second sampling unit may be connected to the first sampling unit by a swing for allowing a swinging movement of the second sampling unit laterally across the first sample flow coming from the first sampling unit, the first sampling unit may be moved otherwise across the process flow.
  • the sampler further comprises a sampler body in which the first sample flow is separated from the process flow by the first sampling unit and the process flow is directed onto a lower level than the first sample flow.
  • the invention relates also to a method for taking samples with a sampler from a process flow flowing in a flowing channel.
  • the sampler comprises a first sampling unit and a second sampling unit and each of said first and second sampling units comprise at least one sample cutter.
  • the sample cutter comprises an inlet aperture and an outlet aperture and a channel between said apertures for the sample flow to flow through said sample cutter.
  • the method comprises the steps of arranging the first sampling unit to move laterally across the process flow, arranging a part of the process flow toward the first sampling unit and separating a first sample flow from the process flow with the at least one sample cutter in the first sampling unit.
  • the part of the process flow that flows toward the first sampling unit is arranged to enter the sample through the inlet aperture.
  • the method further comprises the step of arranging the first sample flow to flow through the first sampling unit and such that the first sample flow exits the first sampling unit, i.e. the sample cutter, through the outlet aperture.
  • the method further comprises the steps of arranging the second sampling unit to move laterally across the first sample flow coming from the first sampling unit, and separating a second sample flow from the first sample flow with the at least one sample cutter in the second sampling unit.
  • An advantage of the sampler and the method of the invention is that the movement of the sampler reduces misleading sample results taken from a nonhomogeneous flow.
  • Figure 1 shows a sampler according to the invention as a side view
  • Figure 2 shows the sampler in figure 1 seen from above
  • Figure 3 shows the sampler in figure 1 as a perspective view.
  • Figure 1 shows the sampler 1 according to the invention as a side view. At least during a sample-taking phase the sampler 1 is arranged in a fluid communication with the flowing channel 3 in which the process flow 2 is arranged to flow.
  • the sampler 1 comprises at least a first sampling unit 4 and a second sampling unit 5 but it may comprise further sampling units if needed.
  • the first and the second sampling units 4, 5 are arranged in contact with each other although it is not shown in the figure.
  • the first sampling unit 4 may be connected to the flow channel 3 or it may be arranged separately so that the flowing channel and the first sampling unit 4 are only in a fluid communication with each other.
  • the flowing channel 3 is arranged in two levels such that after a part of the process flow 2 is directed into the first sampling unit 4 so that a first sample flow 6 is separated from the process flow 2 the rest of the process flow 2 is conducted onto a lower level in the flowing channel 3. This is not necessary but it is a practical step so that the sampler 1 can be fitted to its place.
  • the first sample unit 4 is arranged movably in relation to the flowing channel 3 such that the first sample unit 4 moves laterally across the flowing channel 3.
  • the first sampling unit 4 comprises at least one sample cutter so that either the whole sampling unit or the sample cutters are arranged movably across the process flow to take a first sample flow 6 from the process flow 2.
  • the first sample flow 6 then flows through the first sampling unit 4 and out from the first sample unit 4.
  • part of the first sample flow 6 is directed back to the flowing channel 3 and part of the first sample flow 6 is led to a second sampling unit 5 moving laterally across the first sample flow 6.
  • the part of the first sample flow 6 that is led to the second sampling unit 5 forms a second sample flow 7 which is flown through the second sampling unit 5 and out from the second sampling unit to a further analysis.
  • this sample flow is led as a (semi-)continuous flow to an online analyser and at intervals a sample increment is taken for a composite sample.
  • the second sampling unit only traverses the first sample flow at intervals to produce increments, which together forms a composite sample.
  • FIG 2 the sampler 1 as shown in figure 1 is seen from above.
  • the process flow 2 is flown in the flowing channel 3 in the direction marked with an arrow.
  • the first sampling unit 4 comprising first sample cutters 14 is arranged such that part of the process flow is flown into the first sample cutters 14 to form a first sample flow 6 and part of the process flow 2 is left outside of the first sample cutters 14 to continue as a process flow 2.
  • the arrow marked with A illustrates the movement of the sampling unit 4 comprising said first sample cutters 14. The movement of the first sample cutters 14 as well as the sampling unit 4 is across the process flow 2.
  • the first sample cutters 14 are arranged such that an aperture forming an inlet to the first sample cutter 14 receives the process flow 2 directly from the flow direction and the channel extending through the first sample cutter 14 leads the first sample flow 6 directly to the outlet aperture of the first sample cutter 14.
  • the second sampling unit 5 is attached to the first sampling unit 4 so that the second sampling unit 5 moves as a whole with the lateral movement of the first sampling unit 4.
  • Said second sampling unit 5 together with the second sample cutters 15 is movably arranged such that the second sample cutters 15 move laterally across the first sample flows 6 coming from the first sample cutters 14.
  • the arrow B illustrates the movement of said second sample cutters 15.
  • the second sample cutters 15 separate a second sample flow 7 from the first sample flow 6 and said second sample flow 7 flows through the second sample cutters 15 and out from the sample cutters 15 to a launder collecting all the samples into one sample.
  • the first and the second sampling unit 4, 5 are preferably arranged in a sampler body 8 that is arranged in connection with the flowing channel 2.
  • the sampler body 8 may comprise a continuance for the flowing channel 2 such that when part of the process flow enters the first sampling unit 4 and the rest of the process flow continues forward it is conducted to a lower level which is formed as a part of the sampler body 8.
  • Figure 3 shows the sampler 1 according to the figure 1 in a perspective view.
  • the sampler body 8 is in connection with the flowing channel 3 such that there is a change in ground level when moving from the flowing channel 2 to the sampler body 8.
  • the first sampling unit 4 comprising a set of first sample cutters 14 are arranged in a fluid communication with the process flow coming through the flowing channel 3.
  • Said first sample cutters 14 comprising an inlet aperture 20 for the first sample flow to enter the first sample cutter 14 and an outlet aperture 21 for the sample flow to exit the sample cutter 14.
  • the first sample cutters 14 are arranged to be moved laterally across the process flow coming from the flowing channel 3, i.e. the first sample cutters 14 are moved across the flowing channel to capture part of the coming process flow as a first sample flow.
  • the second sample cutters 15 are movably arranged such that they are moved across the first sample flow coming from the first sample cutters 14.
  • the second sample cutters 15 are moved in relation to the first sample cutters 14 to receive part of the sample flow coming from the first sample cutters 14.
  • the first and the second sample cutters 14, 15 are moved independently so that they may not be synchronous.
  • the movement of the first and the second sampling units 4, 5 is a swing movement across the coming process/sample flow.
  • the method comprises two phases: a flowing phase and a sample taking phase.
  • the sampler is not in contact with the process flow 2 nor the flowing channel 3, and in another embodiment of the invention the sampler is in contact with the flowing channel 3 but the process flow 2 is arranged to flow such that it passes the sampler 1 but does not enter into the first sampling unit 4.
  • the sampler 1 is arranged to take samples from the process flow 2.

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Abstract

Sampler (1) for taking samples from a process flow (2). The sampler (1) comprises a first sampling unit (4) and a second sampling unit (5), said first sampling unit (4) is arranged to move laterally across the process flow (2) for separating at least one first sample flow (6) from the process flow (2). The second sampling unit (5) is arranged in connection with the first sampling unit (4) and arranged to move laterally across the at least one first sample flow (6) coming from the first sampling unit (4) for separating at least one second sample flow (7) from said at least one first sample flow (6). The invention also relates to a method for taking samples with a sampler (1) from a process flow (2) flowing in a flowing channel (3).

Description

A SAMPLER FOR TAKING SAMPLES FROM A PROCESS FLOW AND A METHOD FOR TAKING SAMPLES
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a sampler, and more particularly to a sampler as defined in the preamble of independent claim 1 .
The present invention relates also to a method for taking samples, and more particularly to a method as defined in the preamble of independent claim 1 1 .
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Publication WO 03/069313 discloses a method and apparatus for taking slurry samples containing solids from a large, essentially horizontally flowing process flow, in which process flow there is at least partly immersed a sampler, and where the sampling is carried out in at least two steps. According to the disclosure in the first sampling step, the solids-bearing process flow is conducted into a sampler comprising at least three sampling units that are arranged in the process flow channel in such a position that in the process flow direction, at the same spot where part of the process flow enters the sampling units, the slurry flow left outside the sampling units is directed onto a lower level. In addition, the slurry flows obtained from the sampling units are combined and subjected to mixing before the slurry flows are returned to new sampling that alternatively includes either the first sampling step or the extracting of a sample for an analysis.
One of the disadvantages associated with the above arrangement is that the sample taken from the process flow may be not representative in quality because the process flow coming toward the sampler may be inhomogeneous containing more less or different solids in the flow which does not enter the sampler and the sample taken from the process flow may indicate that there is more, less or different solids than there actually are in the average process flow and then the sample gives a wrong indication. The second step in which another sample is taken from the first sample does not sufficiently change the outcome of the sample taken from the process flow.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is thus to provide a sampler and a method for taking samples so as to alleviate the above disadvantages. The objects of the invention are achieved by a sampler and a method, which are characterized by what is stated in the independent claims. The preferred embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the dependent claims.
The invention is based on the idea of providing a, at least two phase, sampling device, i.e. a sampler, which comprises sampling units that are arranged to be moved laterally across the process flow. The first sampling unit is provided with a second sampling unit depending from the first sampling unit which both sampling units move laterally across the process and/or sample flow. The first sampling unit moves laterally across the process flow and the second sampling unit moves laterally across the sample flow of the first sampling unit. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the first and the second sampling units move across the process and/or sample flow independently such that the both sampling units move asynchronously.
The invention relates to a sampler for taking samples from a process flow. Said process flow is arranged to flow in a flowing channel. During a sample taking phase, the sampler is in fluid communication with the flowing channel. According to the invention the sampler comprises a first sampling unit and a second sampling unit. The first sampling unit is arranged to move laterally across the process flow for separating at least one first sample flow from the process flow. The second sampling unit is arranged in connection with the first sampling unit and arranged to move laterally across the at least one first sample flow coming from the first sampling unit for separating at least one second sample flow from said at least one first sample flow.
The solids containing slurry, i.e. the process flow, flows along a flowing channel and there is a sampler arranged in a fluid communication with the channel. The sampler may be mechanically connected to the channel or it may be arranged only in a fluid communication with the channel for example over the flowing channel such that a fluid communication is arranged between a part of the flowing channel and the first sampling unit for allowing part of the process flow to flow into the first sampling unit. The flowing channel preferably extends through the sampler such that while part of the process flow enters the sampling unit the rest of the process flow continues flowing in the flowing channel. Preferably the flowing channel is arranged such that when the part of the process flow enters the first sampling unit the rest of the process flow is conducted onto a lower level in the flowing channel. The flowing channel is preferably arranged in a horizontal or substantially horizontal direction and the sampling units are arranged with respect to the flowing channel such that the process flow coming through the flowing channel continues its flow into the sampling unit preferably without any major changes in the bottom level. The sampling units may comprise one or more sample cutters that are arranged adjacently or spaced from one another and at least partly immersed in the process flow proceeding in the horizontal or substantially horizontal direction. The sample cutters are arranged movably in relation to the process channel such that either the first sampling unit moves laterally across the process flow moving all the sample cutters at the same time or the individual sample cutters are arranged to move laterally across the process flow. The individual sample cutters may be moved synchronously or asynchronously with respect to each other in the first sampling unit. The first sampling unit takes samples from the process flow with the sample cutters. The sample cutters comprise an input aperture and an output aperture and between said apertures a channel through said cutter. The process flow that flows through the sample cutter in the first sampling unit is called a first sample flow. The sample flow that comes out from the first sample cutter, i.e. from the first sampling unit, flows partly to the second sampling unit to become a second sample flow and the rest of the first sample flow is led back to the process flow or to another location. The second sample flow flows through the second sampling unit comprising second sample cutters which comprise an inlet aperture and an outlet aperture and a channel between said apertures for the second sample flow to flow through the sample cutter. The second sample cutters are likewise arranged to move laterally across the sample flow similarly like the first sample cutters across the process flow. This means that the sample cutters are arrange to move either as a second sampling unit together or individually. The first and the second sampling unit or the first and the second sample cutters are arranged to move asynchronously such that the movement of the first sampling unit does not depend on the movement of the second sampling unit. After the second sampling unit the second sample flow is led to join the process flow or to another location and after the second sampling unit there may be additional sampling units arranged to take samples from the second and subsequent flows.
According to the invention the first sampling unit comprises a first set of sample cutters and said second sampling unit comprising a second set of sample cutters. The first sampling unit may comprise only one sample cutter and/or the second sampling unit may comprise only one sample cutter. Each sample cutter forms a sample flow. In the first sampling unit a sample cutter forms a first sample flow and in the second sampling unit a sample cutter forms a second sample flow. As there may be more than one sample cutter in the first and the second sampling unit respectively there may be formed more than one sample flow in the sampling units. There may be also more than two sampling units, i.e. the sampler may comprise a further sampling unit for separating a further sample flow. After the last sampling unit the sample flows are preferably combined. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the first and second set of sample cutters comprise at least two sample cutters.
According to the invention the first and the second sampling units are arranged to move independently from each other. The first and the second sampling units may also be are arranged to move asynchronously with respect to each other. Although the second sampling unit may be connected to the first sampling unit by a swing for allowing a swinging movement of the second sampling unit laterally across the first sample flow coming from the first sampling unit, the first sampling unit may be moved otherwise across the process flow. The sampler further comprises a sampler body in which the first sample flow is separated from the process flow by the first sampling unit and the process flow is directed onto a lower level than the first sample flow.
The invention relates also to a method for taking samples with a sampler from a process flow flowing in a flowing channel. The sampler comprises a first sampling unit and a second sampling unit and each of said first and second sampling units comprise at least one sample cutter. The sample cutter comprises an inlet aperture and an outlet aperture and a channel between said apertures for the sample flow to flow through said sample cutter. According to the method of the invention the method comprises the steps of arranging the first sampling unit to move laterally across the process flow, arranging a part of the process flow toward the first sampling unit and separating a first sample flow from the process flow with the at least one sample cutter in the first sampling unit. The part of the process flow that flows toward the first sampling unit is arranged to enter the sample through the inlet aperture. The method further comprises the step of arranging the first sample flow to flow through the first sampling unit and such that the first sample flow exits the first sampling unit, i.e. the sample cutter, through the outlet aperture. The method further comprises the steps of arranging the second sampling unit to move laterally across the first sample flow coming from the first sampling unit, and separating a second sample flow from the first sample flow with the at least one sample cutter in the second sampling unit.
An advantage of the sampler and the method of the invention is that the movement of the sampler reduces misleading sample results taken from a nonhomogeneous flow.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the following the invention will be described in greater detail by means of preferred embodiments with reference to the attached drawings, in which
Figure 1 shows a sampler according to the invention as a side view; Figure 2 shows the sampler in figure 1 seen from above; and
Figure 3 shows the sampler in figure 1 as a perspective view. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Figure 1 shows the sampler 1 according to the invention as a side view. At least during a sample-taking phase the sampler 1 is arranged in a fluid communication with the flowing channel 3 in which the process flow 2 is arranged to flow. The sampler 1 comprises at least a first sampling unit 4 and a second sampling unit 5 but it may comprise further sampling units if needed. The first and the second sampling units 4, 5 are arranged in contact with each other although it is not shown in the figure. The first sampling unit 4 may be connected to the flow channel 3 or it may be arranged separately so that the flowing channel and the first sampling unit 4 are only in a fluid communication with each other. In the embodiment shown in figure 1 the flowing channel 3 is arranged in two levels such that after a part of the process flow 2 is directed into the first sampling unit 4 so that a first sample flow 6 is separated from the process flow 2 the rest of the process flow 2 is conducted onto a lower level in the flowing channel 3. This is not necessary but it is a practical step so that the sampler 1 can be fitted to its place. The first sample unit 4 is arranged movably in relation to the flowing channel 3 such that the first sample unit 4 moves laterally across the flowing channel 3. Although not shown in figure 1 the first sampling unit 4 comprises at least one sample cutter so that either the whole sampling unit or the sample cutters are arranged movably across the process flow to take a first sample flow 6 from the process flow 2. The first sample flow 6 then flows through the first sampling unit 4 and out from the first sample unit 4. After the first sampling unit 4 part of the first sample flow 6 is directed back to the flowing channel 3 and part of the first sample flow 6 is led to a second sampling unit 5 moving laterally across the first sample flow 6. The part of the first sample flow 6 that is led to the second sampling unit 5 forms a second sample flow 7 which is flown through the second sampling unit 5 and out from the second sampling unit to a further analysis. In some cases this sample flow is led as a (semi-)continuous flow to an online analyser and at intervals a sample increment is taken for a composite sample. In some cases the second sampling unit only traverses the first sample flow at intervals to produce increments, which together forms a composite sample.
In figure 2 the sampler 1 as shown in figure 1 is seen from above. The process flow 2 is flown in the flowing channel 3 in the direction marked with an arrow. The first sampling unit 4 comprising first sample cutters 14 is arranged such that part of the process flow is flown into the first sample cutters 14 to form a first sample flow 6 and part of the process flow 2 is left outside of the first sample cutters 14 to continue as a process flow 2. The arrow marked with A illustrates the movement of the sampling unit 4 comprising said first sample cutters 14. The movement of the first sample cutters 14 as well as the sampling unit 4 is across the process flow 2. The first sample cutters 14 are arranged such that an aperture forming an inlet to the first sample cutter 14 receives the process flow 2 directly from the flow direction and the channel extending through the first sample cutter 14 leads the first sample flow 6 directly to the outlet aperture of the first sample cutter 14. In the vicinity of the outlet of the first sample cutter 14 is a second sampling unit 5 with second sample cutters 15. The second sampling unit 5 is attached to the first sampling unit 4 so that the second sampling unit 5 moves as a whole with the lateral movement of the first sampling unit 4. Said second sampling unit 5 together with the second sample cutters 15 is movably arranged such that the second sample cutters 15 move laterally across the first sample flows 6 coming from the first sample cutters 14. The arrow B illustrates the movement of said second sample cutters 15. The second sample cutters 15 separate a second sample flow 7 from the first sample flow 6 and said second sample flow 7 flows through the second sample cutters 15 and out from the sample cutters 15 to a launder collecting all the samples into one sample. The first and the second sampling unit 4, 5 are preferably arranged in a sampler body 8 that is arranged in connection with the flowing channel 2. The sampler body 8 may comprise a continuance for the flowing channel 2 such that when part of the process flow enters the first sampling unit 4 and the rest of the process flow continues forward it is conducted to a lower level which is formed as a part of the sampler body 8.
Figure 3 shows the sampler 1 according to the figure 1 in a perspective view. The sampler body 8 is in connection with the flowing channel 3 such that there is a change in ground level when moving from the flowing channel 2 to the sampler body 8. The first sampling unit 4 comprising a set of first sample cutters 14 are arranged in a fluid communication with the process flow coming through the flowing channel 3. Said first sample cutters 14 comprising an inlet aperture 20 for the first sample flow to enter the first sample cutter 14 and an outlet aperture 21 for the sample flow to exit the sample cutter 14. In between said inlet and outlet apertures 20, 21 there is a channel 22 for the sample flow to flow through the first sample cutter 14. Similarly there is an inlet aperture 23 in the second sample cutter 15 for the second sample flow to enter the second sample cutter 15 and an outlet aperture 24 in the second sample cutter 15 for the second sample flow to exit the second sample cutter 15 and a channel 25 between said apertures 23, 23 for the second sample flow to flow through the second sample cutter. The first sample cutters 14 are arranged to be moved laterally across the process flow coming from the flowing channel 3, i.e. the first sample cutters 14 are moved across the flowing channel to capture part of the coming process flow as a first sample flow. The second sample cutters 15 are movably arranged such that they are moved across the first sample flow coming from the first sample cutters 14. In other words the second sample cutters 15 are moved in relation to the first sample cutters 14 to receive part of the sample flow coming from the first sample cutters 14. The first and the second sample cutters 14, 15 are moved independently so that they may not be synchronous. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the movement of the first and the second sampling units 4, 5 is a swing movement across the coming process/sample flow.
According to one embodiment of the invention the method comprises two phases: a flowing phase and a sample taking phase. During the flowing phase, in one embodiment of the invention, the sampler is not in contact with the process flow 2 nor the flowing channel 3, and in another embodiment of the invention the sampler is in contact with the flowing channel 3 but the process flow 2 is arranged to flow such that it passes the sampler 1 but does not enter into the first sampling unit 4. In the sample taking phase the sampler 1 is arranged to take samples from the process flow 2.
It will be obvious to a person skilled in the art that, as the technology advances, the inventive concept can be implemented in various ways. The invention and its embodiments are not limited to the examples described above but may vary within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A sampler (1) for taking samples from a process flow (2), characterized in that the sampler (1 ) comprises a first sampling unit (4) and a second sampling unit (5), said first sampling unit (4) being arranged to move laterally across the process flow (2) for separating at least one first sample flow (6) from the process flow (2), said second sampling unit (5) being arranged in connection with the first sampling unit (4) and arranged to move laterally across the at least one first sample flow (6) coming from the first sampling unit (4) for separating at least one second sample flow (7) from said at least one first sample flow (6).
2. A sampler (1 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first sampling unit (4) comprises a first set of sample cutters (14) and said second sampling unit (5) comprising a second set of sample cutters (15).
3. A sampler (1 ) according to claim 2, characterized in that the first and second set of sample cutters (14, 15) comprise at least two sample cutters (14, 15).
4. A sampler (1) according to any previous claim, characterized in that said first and said second sampling units (4, 5) are arranged to move independently from each other.
5. A sampler (1) according to any previous claim, characterized in that the second sampling unit (5) is connected to the first sampling unit (4) by a swing for allowing a swinging movement of the second sampling unit (5) laterally across the first sample flow (6) coming from the first sampling unit (4).
6. A sampler (1) according to any previous claim, characterized in that the sampler (1 ) further comprises a sampler body (8) in which the first sample flow (6) is separated from the process flow (2) by the first sampling unit (4) and the process flow (2) is directed onto a lower level than the first sample flow (6).
7. A sampler (1 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first sampling unit (4) comprises only one sample cutter (14).
8. A sampler (1 ) according to claim 1 or 7, characterized in that the second sampling unit (5) comprises only one sample cutter (15).
9. A sampler (1) according to any previous claim, characterized in that the first and the second sampling units (4, 5) are arranged to move asynchronously with respect to each other.
10. A sampler (1) according to any previous claim, characterized in that the sampler (1 ) comprises a further sampling unit for separating a further sample flow.
11. A method for taking samples with a sampler (1) from a process flow (2) flowing in a flowing channel (3), characterized in that the sampler (1) comprises a first sampling unit (4) and a second sampling unit (5) and each of said first and second sampling units (4, 5) comprise at least one sample cutter (14, 15), said method comprising the steps of:
- arranging said first sampling unit (4) to move laterally across the process flow (2),
- arranging a part of the process flow (2) toward the first sampling unit (4),
- separating a first sample flow (6) from the process flow (2) with the at least one sample cutter (14) in the first sampling unit (4),
- arranging the first sample flow (6) to flow through the first sampling unit (4),
- arranging the second sampling unit (5) to move laterally across the first sample flow (6) coming from the first sampling unit (4), and
- separating a second sample flow (7) from the first sample flow (6) with the at least one sample cutter (15) in the second sampling unit (5).
PCT/FI2014/051044 2013-12-27 2014-12-22 A sampler for taking samples from a process flow and a method for taking samples WO2015097345A1 (en)

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Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2003069313A1 (en) 2002-02-14 2003-08-21 Outokumpu, Oyj Method and apparatus for taking slurry samples

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2003069313A1 (en) 2002-02-14 2003-08-21 Outokumpu, Oyj Method and apparatus for taking slurry samples

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