Sampling probe for solutions containing soluble solids or high concentrations of dissolved solids

• US 8,365,616 B1
• Filed: 09/16/2010
• Issued: 02/05/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/2010
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Global Fia, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Global Fia, Inc.
• Inventors: Wolcott, Duane K., Marshall, Graham D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Williams, Hezron E
• Assistant Examiner(s): Huang, David Z
• Application Number:
  US12/883,775
• Time in Patent Office: 873 Days
• Field of Search: 73/234.1, 73/615.6, 73/645.6, 738/63, 738/633.1, 738/633.3, 738/642.1, 738/642.2, 738/647.3, 738/648.1
• US Class Current: 73/863.33
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/14 Suction devices, e.g. pumps; Ejector devices
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2001/1025 Liquid suspensions; Slurries; Mud; Sludge
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2001/1427 Positive displacement, piston, peristaltic

Abstract

An analytical system for solutions containing soluble solids or high concentrations of dissolved solids. The system includes a container having upper and lower portions; a lead an/or a tubing line extending into the upper portion of the container, for withdrawing a portion of a gas in the upper portion of the container; and a sampling probe extending into the lower portion of the container, for withdrawing a portion of a sample of a liquid or of a mixture of a liquid and a solid. The sampling probe is a probe support shaft which may be provided with a filter for separating liquid and solid phases from one another if the sample is a liquid-solid mixture. Gas in the headspace above the liquid or the liquid-solid mixture can be withdrawn through the lead and/or the tubing line.

Claims

1. An analytical system, comprising:

(a) a container having upper and lower portions;

(b) a lead extending into the upper portion of the container, for withdrawing a portion of a gas disposed therein;

(c) a sampling probe extending into the lower portion of the container, for withdrawing a portion of a sample of a liquid or of a mixture of a liquid and a solid disposed therein;

(d) a multi-port selection valve, in close proximity to the container and to the sampling probe, for receiving a portion of the gas or of the sample, for diluting a sample in close proximity to the sampling probe, and for disposing a sample between successive portions of a diluent;

(e) a multi-port valve connecting the lead and the sampling probe to the selection valve, for selecting either the gas portion or the sample portion to be transferred to the port of the selection valve; and

(f) a source of diluent connected to the selection valve, for diluting the sample as required.

2. An analytical system, comprising:

(a) a container having upper and lower portions;

(b) a lead extending into the upper portion of the container, for withdrawing a portion of a gas disposed therein;

(c) a sampling probe extending into the lower portion of the container, for withdrawing a portion of a sample of a liquid or of a mixture of a liquid and a solid disposed therein;

(d) a multi-port selection valve for receiving a portion of the gas or of the sample;

(e) a multi-port valve connecting the lead and the sampling probe to the selection valve, for selecting either the gas portion or the sample portion to be transferred to the port of the selection valve; and

(f) a detector connected to the selection valve, for determining concentration of a constituent of the sample.

3. An analytical system, comprising:

(a) a container having upper and lower portions;

(b) a lead extending into the upper portion of the container, for withdrawing a portion of a gas disposed therein;

(c) a sampling probe extending into the lower portion of the container, for withdrawing a portion of a sample of a liquid or of a mixture of a liquid and a solid disposed therein;

(d) a multi-port selection valve for receiving a portion of the gas or of the sample;

(e) a multi-port valve connecting the lead and the sampling probe to the selection valve, for selecting either the gas portion or the sample portion to be transferred to the port of the selection valve; and

(f) a source of diluent connected to the selection valve, for diluting the sample as required.

4. An analytical system, comprising:

(a) a container having upper and lower portions;

(b) a lead extending into the upper portion of the container, for withdrawing a portion of a gas disposed therein;

(c) a sampling probe extending into the lower portion of the container, for withdrawing a portion of a sample of a liquid or of a mixture of a liquid and a solid disposed therein;

(d) a multi-port selection valve for receiving a portion of the gas or of the sample;

(e) a multi-port valve connecting the lead and the sampling probe to the selection valve, for selecting either the gas portion or the sample portion to be transferred to the port of the selection valve;

(f) a bi-directional pump, for transporting a portion of the gas, a portion of the sample, a portion of the diluent, and/or a portion of a carrier liquid through the sampling system; and

(g) a holding coil connecting the pump to the selection valve.