Solar powered sample analyzing system using a field deployed analytical instrumentation and vacuum jacketed small diameter tubing

• US 9,459,185 B2
• Filed: 10/16/2014
• Issued: 10/04/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 10/17/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mustang Sampling, LLC
• Original Assignee: Mustang Sampling, LLC
• Inventors: Thompson, Kenneth O., Rolston, Claude A., Querrey, Timothy L., Cook, Charles F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Rogers, David A
• Application Number:
  US14/515,603
• Publication Number:
  US 20150107333A1
• Time in Patent Office: 719 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/2247 Sampling from a flowing stream of gas
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2030/8881 Modular construction, specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 30/88 Integrated analysis systems specially adapted therefor, not covered by a single one of the groups G01N30/04 - G01N30/86
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/0016 by regulating a physical variable, e.g. pressure or temperature
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/0075 for multiple spatially distributed sensors, e.g. for environmental monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/225 Gaseous fuels, e.g. natural gas
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/50 Photovoltaic [PV] energy
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 70/30 Systems combining energy storage with energy generation of non-fossil origin

Abstract

Provided herein is a solar powered system for a gas sampling and analysis for placement and operation remote from conventional infra-structure that utilizes a minimum of power to obtain a sample extracted from a source such as a pipeline or well-head, conditions the extracted sample, transmits the conditioned sample through vacuum jacketed tubing to an analyzer while maintaining the sample at a temperature and pressure preventing phase transition, condensation or component partitioning.

Claims

1. A system for extracting and analyzing a wet gas sample from a pipeline, the system comprising:

a pipeline sample take-off probe;

a take-off conduit connecting said takeoff probe to a sample conditioner to generate a vaporized wet gas sample, said sample conditioner including an electrically powered heater element, a pressure regulator, flow controller, and a conditioned vapor sample output;

a vacuum jacketed insulated tubing defined by an outer tubular casing with an inner surface and an inner tubular vaporized wet gas sample conduit member an inner and outer surface, said inner tubular vaporized sample wet gas conduit member with a first and a second end where the first end is attached to said conditioned vapored wet gas sample output of said sample conditioner, said inner tubular vaporized wet gas sample conduit member being substantially coextensive with and coaxially disposed within said outer tubular casing and spaced therefrom so as maintain space between it and said inner surface of said outer tubular casing to form a thermal insulating annulus between said outer casing inner surface and said inner tubular vaporized wet gas sample conduit member outer surface, and said inner tubular vaporized wet gas sample conduit member defining a wall having a thickness sufficient to possess a pressure rating in excess of 500 psig (35 bar) and to allow for non-destructive bending, and said inner tubular vaporized wet gas sample conduit member having an inner diameter dimensioned to maintain sufficient pressure and flow rate to avoid flashing during transit threrethrough, and

an electrically powered analyzer unit including a low power vapor analyzer for qualitative and quantitative detection of at least one analyte in said conditioned vaporized wet gas sample, said analyzer unit having an inlet in vapor communication with said second end of the tubular vaporized wet gas sample conduit member for receiving said conditioned vapor sample, an input for a carrier gas, said electrically powered analyzer detecting the at least one analyte of the vaporized wet gas sample and generating at least one signal corresponding to the obtained result;

an electrically powered wireless communications module unit for transmitting the results to a remote receiver;

a low power electrical control unit including a power control center electrically connected to each of the conditioner, analyzer unit and wireless communication module; and

a photovoltaic panel with an electrical power storage array connected to the low power control unit for distribution to electrically-operated control unit.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the electrically powered analyzer is a field-type process gas chromatograph.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the photovoltaic panel is configured to operate at no greater than 24 volts.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the electrically powered analyzer, the electrically powered wireless communications, and the low power electrical control unit are contained in a common housing which is remotely spaced at least 3 meters (10 feet) but no more than 15 meters (50 feet) from the sample conditioner.

5. The system of claim 4 where the housing is explosion-proof.

6. The system of claim 1 where the vacuum jacketed tubing incorporates heat tracing for providing power to the sample conditioner, the analyzer, and low power electrical control unit which are contained in discrete separate weatherproof housings.

7. The system of claim 1 where at least one of the housings is an explosion proof cabinet.

8. The system of claim 1 where the inner tubular vaporized sample wet gas conduit is stainless steel with a ¼

inch outer diameter and a wall thickness of 0.065 inches thickness with stainless steel fittings on both first and second ends to provide for reduction/enlargement to avoid flashing of the wet gas sample.

9. The system of claim 1 where the inner tubular vaporized sample wet gas conduit is stainless steel with a 1/16-¼

inch outer diameter and a wall thickness of 0.02-0.065 inch with stainless steel fittings on both first and second ends to provide for reduction/enlargement to avoid flashing of the wet gas sample.

15. A method for remotely analyzing samples using the system of claim 1, wherein during transit between the sample conditioner enclosure and the analyzer, of the sample is maintained above a dew point dropout temperature.

10. A solar-powered system for analyzing at least one analyte in a fluid sample, the system comprising:

a first enclosure including a heated fluid sample take-off input, a heated pressure regulator, a flow conditioner, and a conditioned sample output, wherein the first enclosure is in operable communication with a sample source and generates a conditioned vaporized sample from the fluid;

a second enclosure operably connected to the first enclosure, said second enclosure including a conditioned sample input and an analyzing device providing a signal output representative of the vaporized sample composition;

means for communicating said conditioned vaporized sample between said first and second enclosure in a manner to maintain thermal and flow rate stasis of the vaporized sample during transit, and

a third enclosure including a power control center, a photovoltaic panel, and a communication containing module, said third enclosure for providing operating power to the first and second enclosures and receiving said signal from the analyzing device.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the fluid sample is selected from the group consisting of natural gas, liquefied natural gas, compressed natural gas, cryogenic fluid, and biogas.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the communication containing module includes a wireless modem for transmitting data from the analyzer and receiving instructions from a remote source.

13. The system of claim 10, means for communicating is vacuum jacketed tubing of with a sample conduit of stainless steel tubing with a 1/16-¼

inch (3-8 mm) outer diameter and a wall thickness of 0.02-0.065 inch (0.05-0.15 mm) selected to provide a sample transit time coordinated with the analyzer cycle time and, stainless steel fittings on both first and second ends to provide for reduction/enlargement that avoids flashing of the sample, and an outer jacket that allows for non-destructive bending thereof.

14. The system of claim 10, wherein the system is configured to maintain a sample temperature during transit between the first enclosure and that of the second enclosure above a dew point dropout temperature.

16. A method for remotely analyzing samples using the system of claim 10, wherein during transit between the first enclosure and the second enclosure, the sample is maintained above a dew point dropout temperature.