System for retrieving a gas phase sample from a gas stream containing entrained liquid, and sample conditioner assembly therefore

• US 7,004,041 B2
• Filed: 03/08/2004
• Issued: 02/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/22/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mayeaux Holding, LLC
• Original Assignee: Donald P. Mayeaux
• Inventors: Mayeaux, Donald P.
• Primary Examiner(s): NOLAND, THOMAS
• Application Number:
  US10/795,673
• Publication Number:
  US 20040168526A1
• Time in Patent Office: 722 Days
• Field of Search: 7386381-86386, 738/631.2, 738/632.3, 73/290.1, 73/290.3, 73/310.7
• US Class Current: 73/863.23
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/2035 by deviating part of a fluid stream, e.g. by drawing-off or tapping
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/2205 with filters
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00326 Analysers with modular structure
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0396 Involving pressure control
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/598 With repair, tapping, assembly, or disassembly means

Abstract

A system for the retrieval and initial conditioning of sample gas for “on line” analyzers or filling of gas sample cylinders. The preferred embodiment of the present invention contemplates a system configured to obtain a representative gas phase sample from a process gas containing entrained liquid, or a process gas which generally is highly susceptible to partial condensation of some gas phase components. The preferred embodiment of the present invention teaches an assembly including a phase separation membrane and housing configured to facilitate the removal of entrained liquid from a sample gas stream. Accuracy of the sample is enhanced, and compositional changes are avoided by first extracting a sample from the process gas followed by removal of entrained liquid it may contain, with the entrained liquid removal being conducted at the prevailing process gas pressure and temperature. Thereafter the liquid free sample may be desaturated by lowering its pressure to reduce its susceptibility to condensation.

Claims

1. A sample conditioning assembly for separation and removal of entrained liquid from gas in a fluid stream, the fluid stream having a prevailing pressure and temperature, comprising:

an insertion assembly having a fluid conduit having first and second ends;

a phase separation membrane situated in association with said insertion assembly, said phase separation membrane having first and second sides, said phase separation membrane formed to allow the passage of gas there through at the prevailing pressure and temperature of said fluid stream, while coalescing entrained liquid from said gas, so as to provide filtered gas from said second side of said phase separation membrane, while providing coalesced liquid at said first side of said phase separation membrane, and allow said coalesced liquid to drain into said fluid stream.

2. The sample conditioning system of claim 1, wherein there is further provided a pressure regulator associated with said fluid conduit in said insertion assembly downstream of said second side of said phase separation membrane.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein said pressure regulator is adjustable.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein said pressure regulator is of a probe regulator type.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein said probe regulator is formed to provide a gas pressure reduction within the insertion assembly downstream of said phase separation membrane, while allowing said phase separation membrane to remove entrained liquids in the gas stream at prevailing process pressure and temperature, and without a reduction in gas pressure.

6. A Sample conditioning assembly for separation and removal of entrained liquid from gas in a fluid stream, the fluid stream having a prevailing pressure and temperature, comprising:

an insertion assembly having a fluid conduit having first and second ends;

a phase separation membrane situated in association with said insertion assembly, said phase separation membrane having first and second sides, said phase separation membrane formed to allow the passage of gas there through at the prevailing pressure and temperature of said fluid stream, while coalescing entrained liquid from said gas, so as to provide filtered gas from said second side of said phase separation membrane, while providing coalesced liquid at said first side of said phase separation membrane;

wherein said filtered gas passes through said fluid conduit formed in said insertion assembly to a sample storage cylinder.

7. A system for obtaining a sample from a fluid stream of gas having entrained liquid, in a passage, comprising:

an insertion assembly having first and second ends, and a fluid conduit formed therethrough, said first end of said insertion assembly formed for insertion into said fluid stream within said passage;

said insertion assembly further comprising a phase separation membrane having first and second sides, said first side of said phase separation membrane formed to receive said gas from said fluid stream, said second side of said phase separation membrane communicating with said fluid conduit formed through said insertion assembly;

said phase separation membrane formed to allow the passage of gas therethrough, while coalescing entrained liquid from said gas, so as to provide filtered gas from said second side of said phase separation membrane to said fluid conduit formed through said insertion assembly, while providing coalesced liquid at said first side of said phase separation membrane; and

analysis means for analyzing said filtered gas to provide filtered gas analysis data.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein said gas and said fluid stream has a fluid pressure, and wherein said fluid pressure of said gas within said insertion assembly upstream of said phase separation membrane is maintained at generally the prevailing pressure of said fluid stream.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein said gas and said fluid stream has a fluid temperature, and wherein said fluid temperature of said gas upstream of the phase separation membrane is maintained at generally the prevailing temperature of said fluid stream.

10. The system of claim 7, wherein there is further provided a regulator valve situated in said fluid conduit formed through said insertion assembly, and between said phase separation membrane and said second end of said insertion assembly.

11. A system for obtaining a sample from a fluid stream of gas having entrained liquid in a passage, comprising:

an insertion assembly having first and second ends, and a fluid conduit formed therethrough, said first end of said insertion assembly formed for insertion into said fluid stream within said passage;

said insertion assembly further comprising a phase separation membrane having first and second sides, said first side of said phase separation membrane formed to receive said gas from said fluid stream, said second side of said phase separation membrane communicating with said fluid conduit formed through said insertion assembly;

said phase separation membrane formed to allow the passage of gas therethrough, while coalescing entrained liquid from said gas, so as to provide filtered gas from said second side of said phase separation membrane to said fluid conduit formed through said insertion assembly, while providing coalesced liquid at said first side of said phase separation membrane;

wherein said fluid stream is enveloped in a conduit comprising a pipe having a sidewall, said sidewall has formed therethrough a threaded aperture, and said insertion assembly has an outer wall having threads formed therein for engaging said threaded aperture.

12. The system defined in claim 11 wherein said gas has a pressure, and wherein said pressure is regulated internal to said insertion assembly downstream of said phase separation membrane.

13. The system defined in claim 11 wherein said gas has a pressure, and wherein said pressure is regulated at a point in close proximity to the location where said insertion assembly intersects said pipe.

14. A system for obtaining a sample from a fluid stream of gas having entrained liquid in a passage, comprising:

an insertion assembly having first and second ends, and a fluid conduit formed therethrough, said first end of said insertion assembly formed for insertion into said fluid stream within said passage;

said insertion assembly further comprising a phase separation membrane having first and second sides, said first side of said phase separation membrane formed to receive said gas from said fluid stream, said second side of said phase separation membrane communicating with said fluid conduit formed through said insertion assembly;

said phase separation membrane formed to allow the passage of gas therethrough, while coalescing entrained liquid from said gas, so as to provide filtered gas from said second side of said phase separation membrane to said fluid conduit formed through said insertion assembly, while providing coalesced liquid at said first side of said phase separation membrane;

wherein said gas has a pressure, and wherein said pressure is reduced at a point in close proximity to a location where said insertion assembly exits said passage.

15. A system for obtaining a sample from a fluid stream of gas having entrained liquid in a passage, comprising:

an insertion assembly having first and second ends, and a fluid conduit formed therethrough, said first end of said insertion assembly formed for insertion into said fluid stream within said passage;

said insertion assembly further comprising a phase separation membrane having first and second sides, said first side of said phase separation membrane formed to receive said gas from said fluid stream, said second side of said phase separation membrane communicating with said fluid conduit formed through said insertion assembly;

said phase separation membrane formed to allow the passage of gas therethrough, while coalescing entrained liquid from said gas, so as to provide filtered gas from said second side of said phase separation membrane to said fluid conduit formed through said insertion assembly, while providing coalesced liquid at said first side of said phase separation membrane;

wherein said fluid stream and said gas sample has a temperature, and wherein there is further provided temperature regulation means for maintaining said temperature of said gas sample upstream of said phase separation membrane at the same temperature as said temperature of said fluid stream.

16. A system for obtaining a sample from a fluid stream of gas having entrained liquid in a passage, comprising:

an insertion assembly having first and second ends, and a fluid conduit formed therethrough, said first end of said insertion assembly formed for insertion into said fluid stream within said passage;

said insertion assembly further comprising a phase separation membrane having first and second sides, said first side of said phase separation membrane formed to receive said gas from said fluid stream, said second side of said phase separation membrane communicating with said fluid conduit formed through said insertion assembly;

said phase separation membrane formed to allow the passage of gas therethrough, while coalescing entrained liquid from said gas, so as to provide filtered gas from said second side of said phase separation membrane to said fluid conduit formed through said insertion assembly, while providing coalesced liquid at said first side of said phase separation membrane;

wherein said insertion assembly is thermally insulated, and wherein said insertion assembly being maintained at a temperature which is essentially the prevailing process gas temperature by heat transfer between said insertion assembly and the process gas source.

17. A system for retrieving a sample from a passage in a pipe having a sidewall, said sidewall having an aperture formed therethrough, said passage containing a gas stream having liquid entrained therein, the gas stream having a prevailing pressure and temperature, comprising:

an insertion assembly having first and second ends, and a fluid conduit formed therein, said insertion assembly further comprising an outer wall formed to engage the aperture formed in said sidewall of said pipe;

said insertion assembly further comprising a phase separation membrane having first and second sides, said first side of said phase separation membrane formed to receive gas having entrained liquid formed therein from the gas stream, said second side of said phase separation membrane communicating with said fluid conduit formed through said insertion assembly;

said phase separation membrane formed to allow the passage of gas therethrough, while coalescing entrained liquid therefrom, so as to provide filtered gas from said second side of said phase separation membrane to said fluid conduit formed through said insertion assembly, while providing coalesced liquid at said first side of said phase separation membrane;

whereby said phase separation membrane is formed to receive the gas having entrained liquid therein at the prevailing pressure and temperature of the gas stream, after insertion of said first end of said insertion assembly into the passage containing the gas stream.

18. The System of claim 17, wherein there is further provided a regulator valve situated in said fluid conduit formed through said insertion assembly, said regulator valve situated downstream said phase separation membrane, and between said phase separation membrane and said second end of said insertion assembly.

19. A sample conditioning assembly for separation and removal of entrained liquid from gas in a fluid stream situated in a passage having a sidewall, comprising:

an insertion assembly having a fluid conduit having first and second ends, said insertion assembly formed to engage said sidewall of said passage such that said first end of said assembly is situated within said passage and in communication with said fluid stream;

a phase separation membrane situated within said insertion assembly, said phase separation membrane having first and second sides, said phase separation membrane configured to allow the passage of gas there through, while removing entrained liquid from said gas, so as to provide filtered gas from said second side of said phase separation membrane, while providing removed liquid at said first side of said phase separation membrane.

20. The sample conditioning system of claim 19, wherein said phase separation membrane is situated within said passage, upon insertion of said first end of said insertion assembly within said passage.

21. The sample conditioning system of claim 20, wherein said removed liquid is drained into said fluid stream.

22. The sample conditioning system of claim 20, wherein said filtered gas passes through said fluid conduit formed in said insertion assembly to a sample storage cylinder.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein said pressure regulator is adjustable.

24. The system of claim 22, wherein said pressure regulator is of a probe regulator type.

25. The system of claim 24, wherein said probe regulator is formed to provide a gas pressure reduction within the insertion assembly downstream of said phase separation membrane.

26. The sample conditioning system of claim 20, wherein there is further provided a pressure regulator associated with said fluid conduit in said insertion assembly, downstream of said second side of said phase separation membrane.

27. A system for retrieving a sample from a gas having liquid entrained therein from a pipe containing a source having a prevailing process pressure and temperature, said pipe having a sidewall having formed therethrough an aperture, comprising:

an insertion assembly having first and second ends, and a fluid conduit formed therein said insertion assembly further comprising an outer wall formed to engage the aperture formed in said sidewall of said pipe;

said insertion assembly further comprising a phase separation membrane having first and second sides, said first side of said phase separation membrane formed to receive said gas having liquid entrained therein, said second side of said phase separation membrane communicating with said fluid conduit formed through said insertion assembly;

said phase separation membrane formed to allow the passage of gas there through, while coalescing entrained liquid therefrom;

whereby, upon inserting said insertion assembly into said contained source, said phase separation membrane is formed to receive said gas at the prevailing process pressure and temperature of said contained source.

28. The system of claim 27, wherein there is further provided a regulator valve situated in said fluid conduit formed through said insertion assembly, said regulator valve situated downstream said phase separation membrane, and between said phase separation membrane and said second end of said insertion assembly.

29. The sample conditioning system of claim 27, wherein there is further provided a passage to drain said coalesced liquid into said fluid stream.