Composite sampling of fluids

• US 9,097,695 B2
• Filed: 01/25/2013
• Issued: 08/04/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 01/27/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SGS North America Incorporated (SGS SA)
• Original Assignee: SGS North America Incorporated (SGS SA)
• Inventors: Kriel, Wayne A., Lataire, Sven
• Primary Examiner(s): Martin, Laura
• Assistant Examiner(s): DEVITO, ALEX T
• Application Number:
  US13/750,710
• Publication Number:
  US 20130192339A1
• Time in Patent Office: 921 Days
• Field of Search: 73/233.6
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/22 in the gaseous state specially adapted for biological material G01N33/497; measuring breath flow A61B5/087
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/2247 Sampling from a flowing stream of gas
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/24 Suction devices G01N1/22 - G01N1/2294 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2001/105 from high-pressure reactors or lines
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2001/1093 Composite sampling; Cumulative sampling
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2030/025 Gas chromatography
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 30/06 Preparation
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 30/28 Control of physical parameters of the fluid carrier
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/225 Gaseous fuels, e.g. natural gas

Abstract

Composite sampling of a fluid flowing through a conduit includes collecting, in a vessel coupled to the conduit through which the fluid is flowing, a first discrete sample of fluid from the conduit, the first discrete sample having a first selected volume, and collecting, in the vessel and at a first interval from the first sample, a second discrete sample of the fluid from the conduit, the second discrete sample having a second selected volume, thereby forming a composite sample in the vessel while the vessel is coupled to conduit. The composite sample includes the first discrete sample and the second discrete sample, and may include one or more additional discrete samples. An apparatus for collecting the composite sample includes a gas chromatograph, and is arranged such that the composite sample is provided to the gas chromatograph without removing the composite sample from the apparatus or transporting the composite sample.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

an inlet configured to receive a portion of a fluid flowing through a conduit;

a valve coupled to the inlet;

a pump coupled to the valve;

a vessel coupled to the valve; and

a gas chromatograph coupled to the valve,

wherein the apparatus is configured to collect a composite sample in the vessel, the composite sample comprising two or more discrete samples of the fluid, each of the discrete samples collected at a selected interval from at least one other discrete sample and having a selected volume.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a controller operatively coupled to the valve, the pump, and the gas chromatograph and configured to control collection of the two or more discrete samples of the fluid in the vessel.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the controller is further configured to transfer the composite sample from the vessel to the gas chromatograph while the vessel is coupled to the valve.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the controller is operable to control the volume of each of the discrete samples.

5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the controller is operable to control the selected time interval.

6. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the gas chromatograph is coupled to the inlet and the controller is further configured to provide a non-composite sample of the fluid flowing through the conduit to the gas chromatograph.

7. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a computer operatively coupled to the controller.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus transfers the composite sample from the vessel to the gas chromatograph through the valve.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the volume of each of the discrete samples is user-selectable.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the selected interval is based on elapsed time.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pump is a syringe pump.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the vessel is removably coupled to the valve.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the gas chromatograph is coupled to the inlet and the apparatus provides a non-composite sample of the fluid flowing through the conduit to the gas chromatograph.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an additional inlet for receiving an additional fluid from an additional source, wherein the gas chromatograph is coupled to the additional inlet and receives a sample of the additional fluid.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus assesses the composition of the composite sample.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises a battery and is continuously operable in the absence of an external power source for at least 48 hours.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a pressure regulator, a vaporizer, or both between the inlet and the valve.

18. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is self-contained and portable.

19. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the gas chromatograph assesses the composition of the non-composite sample.

20. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the gas chromatograph assesses the composition of the additional fluid.