Distillation probe and method for sampling and conditioning a fluid

Abstract

The present invention relates to a distillation probe and method for sampling and regulating a fluid, the distillation probe comprising a conduit having a central axis. In addition, the distillation probe comprises a baffle assembly disposed in the conduit. The baffle assembly comprises a plurality of axially spaced baffles, which are positioned in an overlapping stack within the conduit. Each baffle has a central axis and a radial outer surface. Each baffle comprises a first recess disposed along the radial outer surface of the baffle and extending axially through the baffle. In addition, each baffle comprises a plurality of cooling conduits, which are mounted to the conduit and positioned radially adjacent to the conduit. The cooling conduit is configured as a cooling conduit and a baffle.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63 / 060,807, filed on August 4, 2020, entitled “DISINTERING PROBE AND METHOD FOR SAMPLING AND CONDITIONING FLUID,” the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0003] STATEMENT REGARDING U.S. FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0004] not applicable Technical Field

[0005] The present disclosure generally relates to systems and methods for analyzing fluid samples. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to systems and methods for separating liquid from gas in a hydrocarbon fluid sample stream to condition the gas for subsequent analysis. Background Art

[0006] In refineries and chemical plants, analytical instrumentation is employed at various stages to analyze the composition of the various fluids being processed. In most cases, a small sample of the fluid is drawn from the process stream and passed to the instrument that performs the analysis. Depending on the instrument and the type of analysis, the fluid sample may need to be "conditioned" before entering the instrument to remove liquids or contaminants that could damage the instrument or negatively affect the analytical results (e.g., distort analytical results, such as product yield results). Summary of the invention

[0007] Embodiments of a distillation probe are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the distillation probe includes a conduit having a central axis. In addition, the distillation probe includes a baffle assembly disposed in the conduit. The baffle assembly includes a plurality of axially spaced baffles that are stacked and positioned in an overlapping manner within the conduit. Each baffle has a central axis and a radially outer surface. Each baffle includes a first recess that is disposed along the radially outer surface of the baffle and extends axially through the baffle. In addition, each baffle includes a plurality of cooling conduits that are mounted to the conduit and positioned radially adjacent to the conduit. The cooling conduit is configured as a cooling conduit and a baffle.

[0008] Embodiments of a fluid sampling system are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the fluid sampling system includes a fluid separator assembly. The fluid separator assembly includes a conduit and a baffle assembly disposed in the conduit. The conduit has a central axis. The baffle assembly includes a plurality of axially spaced baffles that are stacked and positioned in a stack within the conduit. Each baffle is a circular flat disk having a central axis, a planar upper surface oriented perpendicular to the central axis of the baffle, a planar lower surface oriented perpendicular to the central axis of the baffle, a radially outer convex cylindrical surface extending axially from the upper surface to the lower surface, and a fluid flow recess disposed along the radially outer convex cylindrical surface. In a top view, the fluid flow recess of each baffle is angularly spaced about the central axis of the conduit relative to each axially adjacent fluid flow recess. In addition, the fluid sampling system includes a plurality of cooling conduits mounted to the conduit and positioned radially adjacent to the conduit. The cooling conduits are configured to cool the fluid separator assembly.

[0009] The embodiments described herein include combinations of features and advantages that are intended to address various shortcomings associated with certain existing devices, systems, and methods. The features and technical advantages of the present invention have been summarized quite broadly above so that the following detailed description of the present invention can be better understood. By reading the following detailed description and referring to the accompanying drawings, the various features described above and other features will be apparent to those skilled in the art. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that the disclosed concepts and specific embodiments can be easily used as the basis for modifying or designing other structures to achieve the same purpose of the present invention. It should also be recognized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the appended claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] In order to describe in detail the preferred embodiments of the present invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0011] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a system for sampling a bulk chemical or hydrocarbon fluid stream;

[0012] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A side view of a fluid regulator;

[0013] Figure 3 There is no insulation, protective cover or thermal conductive layer Figure 2 A side view of a fluid regulator;

[0014] Figure 4 It is along Figure 2 The section 4-4 of Figure 2 An enlarged partial cross-sectional view of a fluid regulator;

[0015] Figure 5 yes Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of a separator assembly of a fluid regulator;

[0016] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 A cross-sectional view of a fluid conduit of a separator assembly;

[0017] Figure 7 yes Figure 5 a side view of a baffle assembly of a separator assembly;

[0018] Figure 8 yes Figure 7 A top view of one of the baffles of the baffle assembly;

[0019] Fig. 9 It is along Figure 8 Section 9-9 of Figure 8 A cross-sectional side view of a baffle;

[0020] Fig.10 yes Figure 7 A top view of one of the baffles of the baffle assembly;

[0021] Fig.11 yes Figure 7 A top view of one of the baffles of the baffle assembly;

[0022] Fig.12 yes Figure 2 A perspective view of a protective cover of a fluid regulator;

[0023] Fig.13 yes Fig.12 A top view of a protective cover;

[0024] Fig.14 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a system for sampling a bulk chemical or hydrocarbon fluid stream;

[0025] Fig.15 yes Fig.14 A side view of a fluid regulator;

[0026] Fig.16 It is along Fig.15 Section 16-16 Fig.15 A cross-sectional top view of a fluid regulator;

[0027] Fig.17 The outer shell and insulation are removed. Fig.15 A side view of a fluid regulator;

[0028] Fig.18 is along Fig.17 Section 18-18 Fig.15A cross-sectional top view of a fluid regulator;

[0029] Fig.19 is a side view of an embodiment of a baffle assembly for a separator assembly of a fluid regulator for a fluid flow sampling system according to principles described herein;

[0030] Fig. 20 yes Fig.19 A top view of one of the spacers of the baffle assembly;

[0031] Fig.21 It is along Fig. 20 Section 21-21 of Fig. 20 A cross-sectional side view of a spacer;

[0032] Fig. 22 yes Fig.19 A top view of one of the baffles of the baffle assembly;

[0033] Fig.23 yes Fig. 22 A side view of a baffle;

[0034] Fig.24 yes Fig.19 A top schematic diagram of three exemplary, adjacent baffles of a baffle assembly;

[0035] Fig.25 is a top view of an embodiment of a baffle for use in a baffle assembly according to principles described herein; and

[0036] Fig.26 yes Fig.25 Side view of the baffle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] The following discussion relates to various embodiments of the present invention. Although one or more of these embodiments may be preferred, the disclosed embodiments should not be interpreted or otherwise used to limit the scope of the present disclosure, including the claims. In addition, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that the following description has a wide range of applications, and the discussion of any embodiment is intended only as an example of that embodiment, and is not intended to imply that the scope of the present disclosure (including the claims) is limited to that embodiment.

[0038] Certain terms are used throughout the following description and the appended claims to refer to particular features or components. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that different people may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document is not intended to distinguish between components or functions that have different names but the same function. The drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. Certain features and components herein may be shown in an enlarged scale or in some schematic form, and some details of conventional elements may not be shown for clarity and brevity.

[0039] In the following discussion and claims, the terms "including..." and "comprising..." are used in an open-ended manner and, thus, should be interpreted to mean "including, but not limited to..." Moreover, the term "coupled" is intended to mean either an indirect or direct connection. Thus, if a first device is coupled to a second device, the connection may be through a direct connection, or through an indirect connection via other devices, components, and connections. Additionally, as used herein, the terms "axial" and "axially" generally mean along or parallel to a central axis (e.g., a central axis of a body or port), while the terms "radial" and "radially" generally mean perpendicular to the central axis. For example, an axial distance refers to a distance measured along or parallel to the central axis, and a radial distance refers to a distance measured perpendicular to the central axis.

[0040] Reference now Figure 1 , in which an embodiment of a system 10 for sampling a bulk fluid stream 12 is shown. In general, the fluid stream 12 can be any hydrocarbon or chemical fluid stream for which component analysis is desired. In the exemplary embodiment, the fluid stream 12 is a hydrocarbon fluid stream, such as a decoked or green oil fluid stream in a hydrocarbon cracking or pyrolysis operation. The system 10 includes a fluid regulator 100 and an analytical instrument 30 downstream of the regulator 100. The bulk fluid stream 12 is sampled and analyzed to understand the processing operation. For example, in a hydrocarbon cracking operation, the fluid stream 12 can be a bulk decoked fluid stream that is sampled and analyzed to determine the yield of one or more desired products (e.g., the volume of ethylene or propylene produced by the cracking process per unit time).

[0041] The system 10 extracts a sample 13 from a fluid stream 12. When the sample 13 is initially extracted from the process fluid stream 12, the sample may contain a mixture of gas 14 to be analyzed and undesirable compounds or contaminants 15, such as water, relatively heavy hydrocarbons (i.e., C6 and heavier), and particulate matter that may foul and / or damage downstream equipment (e.g., instrument 30), negatively affect the accuracy of the analytical results produced by the instrument 30, or a combination thereof. Thus, in the system 10, the sample 13 is conveyed to and conditioned by a fluid conditioner 100 to remove the contaminants 15 before being directed to the analytical instrument 30. Thus, the conditioner 100 separates the sample 13 into the contaminants 15 and the remaining gas 14, wherein the contaminants 15 are returned to the bulk fluid stream 12 and the remaining gas 14 is conveyed to the analytical instrument 30 for analysis. The analytical instrument 30 analyzes the gas 14 to determine one or more characteristics of the gas 14 (e.g., the composition of the gas 14, the yield of the gas 14, etc.), and communicates this to the plant operator. After analysis, the gas 14 is fed from the instrument back into the bulk fluid stream 12. Figure 1Only one system 10 and associated regulator 100 is shown, but it should be understood that more than one system 10 and regulator 100 may be employed in a chemical or hydrocarbon processing operation to sample fluid and regulate the sampled fluid at different stages or locations in the processing operation.

[0042] As previously described, conditioner 100 may be used in conjunction with any suitable chemical or hydrocarbon processing operation to separate contaminants 15 and gas 14 prior to analysis by instrument 30. In one exemplary embodiment, system 10 is used to sample and analyze a decoked fluid sample from a hydrocarbon cracking operation to determine the yield of ethylene and / or propylene during the cracking operation. In such an embodiment, fluid sample 13 is an unconditioned decoked fluid sample containing contaminants 15 (e.g., water, relatively heavy hydrocarbons (i.e., hydrocarbon molecules having six or more carbon atoms), and small amounts of particulate matter), and gas 14 contains relatively light hydrocarbons (i.e., hydrocarbon molecules having five or fewer carbon atoms, such as ethylene, propylene, methane, ethane, and propane).

[0043] Reference now Figure 2 , in which a fluid regulator 100 is schematically shown. The regulator 100 includes a fluid separator 110 and a sample monitoring and control system 190 coupled to the separator 110. Figure 2 A partial cross-sectional view of the fluid separator 110 is shown in FIG. 1 , and a sample monitoring and control system 190 is schematically shown. Figure 1 Components of system 190 are schematically shown in FIG. 1 and are described in more detail below.

[0044] The fluid separator 110 separates the fluid sample 13 obtained from the large amount of fluid flow 12 into pollutants 15 and regulated gas 14, and the regulated gas 14 is directed to the instrument 30 for analysis. Therefore, the separator 110 can be described as a fluid regulator or a fluid regulating device. In addition, as will be described in more detail below, the separator 110 uses distillation to separate the pollutants 15 and the gas 14. That is, during the regulation with the separator 110, the fluid sample 13 is cooled, and as a result, the gaseous pollutants 15, such as water and relatively heavy hydrocarbons, are phase-changed into droplets that coalesce in the separator 110. Although the fluid sample 13 is cooled in the separator 110 and the gaseous pollutants 15 are separated out as liquids, the regulated gas 14 is still a gas, but the temperature is lower than that of the fluid sample 13. Therefore, the separator 110 can also be described as a distillation device or a detector.

[0045] The sample monitoring and control system 190 measures a plurality of predetermined parameters associated with the sample separation process and controls the sample separation process within the separator 110. For example, the system 190 can automatically adjust the sample separation process within the separator 110 (i.e., without human intervention) based on measured parameters and / or in response to input from a remote operator.

[0046] Reference now Figures 2 to 4 , the fluid separator 110 has a central or longitudinal axis 115, a first or lower end 110a, and a second or upper end 110b. In this embodiment, the separator 110 and its central axis 115 are oriented vertically. Figure 4 As best shown in , moving radially outward from axis 115, fluid separator 110 includes a separator assembly 120, a plurality of tubular cooling conduits 150 disposed about separator assembly 120, a thermally conductive layer 160 disposed about separator assembly 120 and encapsulating conduits 150, a protective tubular shroud 170 disposed about layer 160, and an insulator 180 disposed about shroud 170. Thus, conduits 150 and layer 160 are radially positioned between shroud 170 and separator assembly 120, and shroud 170 is radially positioned between insulator 180 and layer 160. Shroud 170 provides a rigid shield that protects conduits 150 and separator assembly 120 from impact and damage, and provides a secure base for mounting system 190 (i.e., system 190 is securely secured to shroud 170). Figure 3 1 , layer 160, cover 170, and insulation 180 are not shown to more clearly illustrate separator assembly 120, cooling conduit 150, and the relationship between them.

[0047] Still refer to Figure 4 , no annular gap, space or void is provided between the cover 170 and the separator assembly 120. In particular, the conduits 150 directly engage and contact the separator assembly 120, and the layer 160 completely surrounds the conduits 150 and extends radially between the separator assembly 120 and the cover 170. Thus, the layer 160 fills the space between the conduits 150, the space between the conduits 150 and the separator assembly 120, and the space between the cover 170 and the conduits 150. The insulation 180 is wrapped around the cover 170 and directly engages the cover 170.

[0048] Reference now Figure 5 , the separator assembly 120 includes a radially outer tubular conduit 121 and a baffle assembly 130 coaxially disposed within the conduit 121. Figure 5 and Figure 6As best shown in FIG. 1 , the conduit 121 has a central or longitudinal axis 125, a first or lower end 121a, a second or upper end 121b, a radially outer surface 122 extending axially between the ends 121a, 121b, and a radially inner surface 123 extending axially between the ends 121a, 121b. The inner surface 123 defines a through hole or passage 124 extending axially between the ends 121a, 121b. An annular lip or shoulder 123a is disposed along the inner surface 123 proximate the lower end 121a. As will be described in more detail below, the shoulder 123a supports the baffle assembly 130 within the conduit 121.

[0049] The conduit 121 also includes a port 126 that extends radially from the passage 124 through the surfaces 122, 123. In this embodiment, the surfaces 122, 123 are cylindrical surfaces. In particular, the inner surface 123 is disposed at a radius R measured radially from the axis 125. 123 When the separator 110 is Figure 2 When assembled as shown, the axes 115, 125 are coaxially aligned and the ends 121a, 121b of the conduit 121 define the ends 110a, 110b of the separator 110, respectively.

[0050] Reference now Figures 3 to 6 , in this embodiment, each end 121a, 121b includes a mounting flange 127, 128, respectively. The lower flange 127 couples the fluid separator 110 to (one or more) other devices and / or (one or more) fluid conduits located upstream of the separator 110 relative to the flow of the sample 13, thereby allowing inflow and outflow of the passage 124 at the lower end 121a. The cap 147 is fixed to the upper flange 128, thereby closing the passage 124 at the upper end 121b.

[0051] As will be described in more detail below, during sampling operation, the fluid sample 13 enters the separator 110 and the passage 124 at the lower end 121a of the conduit 121, and the sample 13 is separated into gas 14 and pollutants 15 in the passage 124, and the gas 14 in the passage 124 leaves the passage 124 and the separator 110 via the port 126, while the pollutants 15 in the passage 124 leave the passage 124 and the separator 110 via the lower end 121a. In other words, the lower end 121a serves as both an inlet and an outlet. Thus, the lower end 121a of the conduit 121 defines both the sample inlet 111 and the pollutant outlet 112 of the separator 110, and the port 126 defines the regulated gas outlet 113 of the separator 110.

[0052] like Figure 5 and Figure 6As best shown in FIG. 1 , the conduit 121 also includes a plurality of sensor ports 129, each of which extends radially through the conduit 121 and provides a path into the passage 124. Each sensor port 129 accommodates a temperature sensor 148 that measures and communicates the temperature of the fluid (e.g., sample 13, gas 14, and contaminant 15) within the passage 124. In this embodiment, one sensor port 129 is positioned axially proximate to the upper end 121b, while another sensor port 129 is positioned axially proximate to the lower end 121a. For purposes of clarity and further explanation, the sensor port 129 and the corresponding temperature sensor 148 positioned proximate to the upper end 121b may be referred to as an upper sensor port 129 and an upper temperature sensor 148, respectively; the sensor port 129 and the corresponding temperature sensor 148 positioned proximate to the lower end 121a may be referred to as a lower sensor port 129 and a lower temperature sensor 148, respectively. The upper sensor port 129 is axially positioned between the flange 128 and the gas outlet 113, and is angularly spaced 180° from the gas outlet 113. Thus, the upper sensor port 129 and the upper temperature sensor 148 are positioned above the gas outlet 113 and on the opposite side of the conduit 121. The lower sensor port 129 is axially positioned between the shoulder 123a and the flange 127, and is angularly aligned with the gas outlet 113. Thus, the lower sensor port 129 and the lower temperature sensor 148 are positioned proximate to the sample inlet 111, and are positioned on the same side of the conduit 121 as the gas outlet 113.

[0053] Reference now Figure 5 and Figure 7 The baffle assembly 130 includes a plurality of baffles 131, a top plate 136, a plurality of flexible cables 140 extending through the baffles 131 and the top plate 136, and a plurality of spacers 145 for maintaining the spacing between the top plate 136 and the baffles 131. Figure 5 As best shown in FIG. 1 , the top plate 136 is positioned above the port 126, while all of the baffles 131 are located below the port 126. When the baffle assembly 130 is seated in the conduit 121, the baffle assembly 130 has a central longitudinal axis that is generally coaxially aligned with the axes 115,125.

[0054] In this embodiment, two uniformly circumferentially spaced cables 140 are provided. Thus, the cables 140 are spaced angularly apart from each other by 180°. The spacers 145 are rigid tubular members slidably mounted to the cables 140 between each pair of adjacent baffles 131 and between the top plate 136 and the uppermost baffle 131. In particular, one spacer 145 is provided around each cable 140 between each pair of axially adjacent baffles 131 and between the top plate 136 and the uppermost baffle 131. The two spacers 145 positioned between any given pair of axially adjacent baffles 131 have the same axial height to ensure that the baffles 131 remain in a vertical stacked arrangement. The two spacers 145 located between the top plate 136 and the uppermost baffle 131 have a greater axial height, and thus, the distance between the top plate 136 and the uppermost baffle 131 is greater than the distance between any pair of axially adjacent baffles 131.

[0055] The terminal cap 141 can be firmly fixed to the lower end of each cable 140 to prevent the baffle 131 and the spacer 145 from sliding off the cable 140. In addition, the upper end of each cable 140 forms a ring 142, which enables an operator to position and manipulate the baffle assembly 130 when the baffle assembly 130 is installed in the conduit 121 or removed from the conduit 121.

[0056] Still refer to Figure 5 In order to install the baffle assembly 130 in the conduit 121 to form the separator assembly 120, the cap 147 is removed from the upper end 121a of the conduit 121 to provide a path into the passage 124 via the upper end 121a. Next, the baffle assembly 130 is lifted and supported by the operator via the ring 142 and then lowered into the passage 124 until the lowermost baffle 131 is seated on the shoulder 123a. As the lowermost baffle 131 is seated on the shoulder 123a, the weight of the baffle assembly 130 is transferred from the cable 140 to the conduit 121, thereby allowing the operator to loosen the ring 142 and reattach the cap 147 to the upper end 121a to form the separator assembly 120. In particular, the weight of the baffle assembly 130 is transferred to the lowermost plate 131' through the baffle 131 and the spacer 145, and the lowermost plate 131' is directly supported by the shoulder 123a. As shown in FIG. Figure 5 As best shown in , when the baffle assembly 130 is disposed in the conduit 121, the baffles 131 are axially spaced and stacked one on top of the other, and the cables 140 are oriented parallel to the axes 115, 125, but radially offset and spaced from the axes 115, 125. Additionally, as previously described, the top plate 136 is positioned above the port 126 and the baffles 131 are positioned below the port 126. Removal of the baffle assembly 130 from the conduit 121 is accomplished by performing the installation process in reverse order.

[0057] It should be appreciated that the flexible cable 140 allows the baffle assembly 130 to undergo some flexing as it is inserted into and withdrawn from the conduit 121. In particular, the baffle assembly 130 may flex at least 90° along its central longitudinal axis such that the central longitudinal axis of the baffle assembly 130 is oriented horizontally at its upper end and the central longitudinal axis of the baffle assembly 130 is oriented vertically at its lower end. Such flexing provides advantages in applications where overhead space (i.e., the space above the fluid regulator 100) is limited due to the presence of other equipment. In other words, the ability of the baffle assembly 130 to bend and flex significantly reduces the vertical clearance required to install and remove the baffle assembly 130 above and from the conduit 121. In addition, the flexibility of the baffle assembly 130 allows individual baffles 131 to move laterally relative to each other to a limited extent, which can enhance contact between individual baffles 131 and the conduit 121, thereby providing the potential for increased heat transfer between the baffle assembly 130 and the conduit 121. It should also be appreciated that the plurality of parallel cables 140 passing through the baffles 131 also limit and / or prevent rotation of the individual baffles 131 relative to each other about the central longitudinal axis of the baffle assembly 130 during and after installation of the baffle assembly 130 in the conduit 121 .

[0058] Typically, the components of the separator assembly 120 (e.g., conduit 121, baffle 131, cable 140, and spacer 145) can include any suitable material, such as (one or more) metals and metal alloys (e.g., aluminum, steel, etc.), non-metals (e.g., ceramics, polymers, etc.), composite materials, or combinations thereof. However, the components of the separator assembly 110 preferably include rigid, durable materials that can withstand long-term exposure to relatively harsh conditions (e.g., temperature, corrosion, etc.) imposed by the unconditioned sample 13. Examples of suitable materials for the components of the separator assembly 110 include stainless steel (e.g., 316 stainless steel), nickel alloys and superalloys (e.g., monel, monel 400, inconel, inconel 625, Hastelloy International's Hastelloy, etc.), tantalum and tantalum alloys, titanium and titanium alloys, or combinations thereof. In this embodiment, the components of the separator assembly 120 are made of 316 stainless steel.

[0059] Reference now Figures 8 to 11 , which shows three exemplary baffles 131 of the baffle assembly 130. Each baffle 131 is a circular, flat disk or plate having a planar lower surface 132a, a planar upper surface 132b oriented parallel to the surface 132a, a radially outer cylindrical surface 133 extending between the surfaces 132a, 132b, a plurality of first cable holes 134 extending axially between the surfaces 132a, 132b, and a plurality of second cable holes 135 extending axially between the surfaces 132a, 132b. In addition, each baffle 131 has an outer radius R131 and thickness T 131 In this embodiment, each baffle 131 has the same outer radius R 131 and thickness T 131 In particular, the radius R of each baffle 131 is 131 The inner radius R of the conduit 121 123 The same as or slightly smaller (for example, smaller than the inner radius R of the conduit 121) 123 The degree is less than 5%). Therefore, if Figure 5 As best shown in FIG. 1 , the cylindrical outer surface 133 of the baffle 131 slidably engages the cylindrical inner surface 123 of the conduit 121 when the baffle assembly 130 is disposed within the conduit 121. The thickness T of each baffle 131 is 131 Preferably, it is about 1 / 16 inch to about 1 / 4 inch. In this embodiment, the outer radius R 131 1.14 inches, thickness T 131 is 1 / 8 inch.

[0060] Reference now Figures 8 to 11 Each baffle 131 includes two cable holes 134 and at least two fluid orifices 135. The cable holes 134 in each baffle 131 are evenly spaced in the circumferential direction. Since two holes 134 are provided in each baffle 131, the holes 134 are spaced angularly at intervals of 180°. In addition, each hole 134 is positioned at the same radius R measured from the center of the baffle 134. 134 When the baffle assembly 130 is disposed in the conduit 121, the center coincides with the axis 125. In this embodiment, the cable hole 134 in each baffle 131 is located near the outer periphery of the baffle 131. In particular, the radius R of each hole 134 is 134 Preferably the radius R 131 At least 70% of the radius R 131 at least 80%.

[0061] Similar to the baffle 131, the top plate 136 is a circular, flat disk or plate having a planar lower surface, a planar upper surface, and a radially outer cylindrical surface that slidably engages the cylindrical inner surface 123 of the conduit 121 when the baffle assembly 130 is disposed in the conduit 121. In addition, the top plate 136 includes two cable holes 134 to allow the cable 140 to pass therethrough. However, unlike the baffle 131, the top plate 136 does not include any fluid ports or other holes.

[0062] Reference now Figures 5 to 7As previously described, the cables 140 extend through the baffles 131 and the top plate 136. In particular, each cable 140 extends through a cable hole 134 in each of the baffles 131 and the top plate 136. The baffles 131 and the top plate 136 are arranged in the baffle assembly 130 so that the cable holes 134 are coaxially aligned. The positioning and spacing of the holes 134 in the baffles 131 and the top plate 136 enable the cables 140 to be spaced 180 degrees apart and enable the cables 140 to be positioned proximate to the outer periphery of the baffles 131, proximate to the outer periphery of the top plate 136, and proximate to the inner surface 123 of the conduit 121 (i.e., radially offset from the axis 125 as previously described). The diameter of each cable hole 134 is substantially equal to or slightly larger than the outer diameter of the cable 140. Thus, when disposed in the aperture 134, the cable 140 slidingly engages the baffle 131 and the top plate 136 and further restricts and / or prevents fluid flow through the aperture 134. As a result, fluid flowing through the conduit 121 flows primarily through the orifice 135, rather than the cable aperture 134. Since the top plate 136 lacks the fluid orifice 135, the top plate 136 substantially blocks or restricts fluid flow therethrough, thereby directing fluid flow upward within the conduit 121 toward the port 126. In order to enable the baffle assembly 130 to fully flex as previously described, each cable 140 preferably has a diameter of approximately 1 / 16 inch to 1 / 4 inch, wherein each cable aperture 134 has a corresponding diameter to slidingly receive and accommodate the cable 140. In this embodiment, each cable 140 has a diameter of 1 / 8 inch.

[0063] Reference again Figures 8 to 11 , a plurality of fluid orifices 135 are provided in each baffle 130. The diameter D of each fluid orifice 135 is 135 The diameter D of each fluid orifice 135 is greater than the diameter of the cable hole 134 and the cable 140. 135 Preferably, it is 1 / 8 inch to 1 / 2 inch. In this embodiment, the diameter D of each fluid orifice is 135 1 / 4 inch. Although in this embodiment, each orifice 135 has the same diameter D 135, but the number of fluid orifices 135 in different baffles 131 can vary. Generally, the number of orifices 135 in the baffles 131 decreases as one moves upward along the baffle assembly 130. More specifically, in this embodiment, the baffle assembly 130 includes eighty-three baffles 131. Moving upward along the baffle assembly 130, the baffles 131 are arranged as follows: the first pair of baffles 131 (the two baffles 131 at the bottom) each include twenty-two fluid orifices 135; the next ten baffles 131 each include ten fluid orifices 135; the next ten baffles 131 each include eight fluid orifices 135; the next ten baffles 131 each include six fluid orifices 135; the next ten baffles 131 each include four fluid orifices 135; and the next forty baffles 131 (the top forty baffles 131) each include two fluid orifices 135. As previously described, the top plate 136 does not include fluid orifices 135. Still referring to Figure 5 and Figure 7 , the fluid orifices 135 in each pair of axially adjacent baffles 131 are radially and / or circumferentially offset such that no orifices 135 in axially adjacent baffles 131 are coaxially aligned. This arrangement of baffles 131 and fluid orifices 135 creates a more tortuous path for fluid flowing through passage 124 of conduit 121.

[0064] As will be described in more detail below, fluid orifices 135 allow fluid within passage 124 of conduit 121 to flow axially through each baffle 131. In particular, orifices 135 allow unconditioned sample 13 (typically a gas phase substance with some suspended particles) to flow into separator assembly 120 through inlet 121a, and allow contaminants 15 (typically in a liquid phase) to flow axially downward through outlet 121a and out of separator assembly 120. In addition, orifices 135 allow conditioned gas 14 to flow through passage 124 to port 126 and out of separator assembly 121 via outlet 113.

[0065] Reference now Figure 3 and Figure 4, in this embodiment, the cooling conduit 150 extends helically around the conduit 121. Therefore, the cooling conduit 150 has a spiral shape and may be referred to herein as a spiral cooling coil. In particular, the spiral cooling coil 150 is tightly wrapped around the conduit 121 so that the coil 150 directly contacts and engages the outer surface 122 of the conduit 121. In some embodiments, a thin coating of thermally conductive material (e.g., a thermally conductive epoxy used to form layer 160) may be applied to the outer surface 122 of the conduit 121 along the portion of the surface conduit 121 around which the coil 150 is wrapped. In addition, the coil 150 is axially compressed so that axially adjacent turns of the coil 150 are in direct contact with each other. In this embodiment, two spiral cooling coils 150 are provided, and further, the coils 150 are meshed with each other. In other words, adjacent turns of a given coil 150 are axially spaced apart, with a turn of another coil 150 being disposed between adjacent turns of the given coil 150. As Figure 3 To maintain the coil 150 in a desired position during manufacturing, the coil 150 is spot welded to the outer surface 122 of the conduit 121 at a plurality of attachment points 152, as best shown in FIG.

[0066] like Figure 3 As best shown in FIG. 1 , in this embodiment, the coil 150 extends axially along substantially the entire length of the conduit 121. In particular, the coil 150 extends axially from an upper position along the conduit 121 just above the port 126 to a lower position along the conduit 121 near the lower flange 127.

[0067] Reference again Figure 3 and Figure 4 , each coil 150 is an elongated tube having a first or upper end 150a, a second or lower end 150b, and an internal through hole or flow passage 151 extending between the ends 150a, 150b. As will be described in more detail below, the coils 150 are used to cool the conduit 121 and the fluid (e.g., sample 13) therein. In particular, a cooling fluid or medium 153 flows into the passage 151 of each coil 150 at its upper end 150a and flows out of the passage 151 of each coil 150 at its lower end 150b. Figure 2As best shown in FIG. 1 , a cooling device 155 is provided at the end 150a of each coil 150 to cool the cooling fluid 153 as it enters the coil 150. Due to the temperature difference between the relatively hot sample 13 and the relatively cold cooling fluid 153 in the conduit 121, thermal energy is transferred from the sample 13 through the conduit 121 and the coil 150 to the cooling fluid 153, thereby reducing the temperature of the sample 13 within the conduit 121. To enhance the transfer of thermal energy between the conduit 121 and the coil 150, the contact surface area between the coil 150 and the outer surface 122 of the conduit 121 is maximized as previously described, and further, the coil 150 is made of a material having a relatively high thermal conductivity, such as copper or aluminum. In this embodiment, the coil 150 is made of copper. Upon exiting the coil 150 at the end 150b, the cooling fluid 153 can be discharged to the environment, or returned to the cooling device 155, re-cooled, and then recirculated through the coil 150.

[0068] As previously described, the cooling fluid 153 enters the passage 151 at end 150a and exits the passage 151 at end 150b. Thus, each end 150a defines an inlet 156 to each coil 150, and each end 150b defines an outlet 157 for each coil 150. In general, each cooling device 155 may include any suitable device capable of reducing the temperature of the cooling fluid 153, including but not limited to a thermoelectric cooling device. In addition, the cooling fluid 153 may be any suitable type of cooling medium (liquid and / or gas), including but not limited to air, water, propane, or In this embodiment, each cooling device 155 is a 1,000 BTU (15 SCFM air) Vortex cooler available from ITW Air Management, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.A. and a Vortex cooler available from Rittal, Urbana, Ohio, U.S.A. To enable adequate volume flow of cooling fluid 153 and associated cooling, each coil 150 preferably has an inner diameter of 0.32 inches to 0.625 inches and an outer diameter of 3 / 8 inches to 1 / 2 inches.

[0069] Reference now Figure 4 , thermally conductive layer 160 surrounds and encapsulates coil 150 and extends radially between conduit 121 and protective cover 170. Layer 160 is designed to be thermally conductive to facilitate the transfer of thermal energy between tubular conduit 121 and coil 150. In this embodiment, layer 160 is a thermally conductive epoxy that is applied in a liquid state (e.g., brushed on) and then allowed to cure and harden around cooling coil and tubular conduit 121. Thus, in this embodiment, layer 160 can be described as being formed "in situ." In this embodiment, layer 160 is made of 3M Coatings available from 3M Corp. of Maplewood, Minnesota, USA. TMThe thermal conductive epoxy resin adhesive TC-2810 obtained is made. The thermal expansion coefficient of the thermal conductive epoxy resin adhesive TC-2810 at 23°C is 62x 10 -6 / ℃, 205x10 at 120℃ -6 / ℃; thermal conductivity is 0.80 to 1.4w / m*K; thermal resistance is 0.05℃ in 2 / W (2 mils); dielectric strength of 750 volts / mil; dielectric constant of 4.6; and hydrocarbon outgassing <25 μg / g.

[0070] As previously described, a thin coating of thermally conductive epoxy used to form layer 160 may be applied to outer surface 122 of conduit 121 prior to installing coil 150 such that the thin layer of thermally conductive epoxy is radially positioned between coil 150 and conduit 121. After wrapping coil 150 around conduit 121, thermally conductive epoxy is applied to coil 150 to fill any air gaps between coil 150 and then applied to completely coat and encapsulate coil 150. In the embodiments described herein, the radial thickness of the portion of thermally conductive layer 160 that extends radially from coil 150 (i.e., the radial thickness of layer 160 that is disposed on top of coil 150) is preferably at least 1 / 8 inch.

[0071] Reference now Figure 2 , Figure 4 , Fig.12 and Fig.13 , a protective cover 170 is disposed around the layer 160, and the coil 150 is embedded in the layer 160. The cover 170 is an elongated tubular member having a central or longitudinal axis 175, a first or upper end 170a, a second or lower end 170b, a cylindrical radial inner surface 171 extending axially between the ends 170a, 170b, and a cylindrical radial outer surface 172 extending axially between the ends 170a, 170b. Fig.12 and Fig.13 As best shown in FIG. 1 , in this embodiment, the cover 170 is made of two semi-cylindrical halves 170 ′, 170 ″ that are welded together along welds 173 , 174 that are spaced angularly apart by 180°.

[0072] The hood 170 protects the components disposed therein (e.g., the coil 150) from inadvertent damage (e.g., shielding the components from impact loads). Thus, the hood 170 is preferably made of a durable, rigid material, such as steel, stainless steel, copper, or aluminum. The hood 170 also provides a base to which the sample monitoring and control system 190 can be securely coupled. In this embodiment, a pair of axially spaced mounts or connectors 176 extend radially from half 170″ of the hood 170. The connectors 176 provide a means for securing the sample monitoring and control system 190 to the separator 110.

[0073] Insulation 180 surrounds enclosure 170 and insulates components disposed therein. Generally, insulation 180 is used to limit the transfer of heat energy between the coil and the surrounding environment to facilitate the transfer of heat energy between the sample 13 in conduit 121 and the cooling fluid 153 in coil 150. Generally, insulation 180 can be any suitable insulation known in the art, which can be wrapped around enclosure 170. In this embodiment, insulation 180 is available from Refractory Inc. of Urbana, Iowa, USA. Ecofoil insulation blanket obtained.

[0074] Reference again Figure 1 The sample monitoring and control system 190 includes a plurality of temperature sensors, a plurality of flow control valves and corresponding actuators that work together to monitor and control the regulation of the fluid sample 13 in the separator 110. The information acquired by the system 190 during the sampling operation is communicated to a computer system via a hard line or wirelessly, where the information can be monitored by a plant operator. Typically, the computer system can be on-site or remote from the processing operation. In response to the acquired information, the computer system and / or the plant operator can make various adjustments to the separation process via control valves and valve actuators.

[0075] In this embodiment, the system 190 includes an upper temperature sensor 148, a lower temperature sensor 148, a temperature sensor 149 for each cooling device 155 and corresponding inlet 156, and a temperature sensor 149 for each outlet 157. The upper temperature sensor 148 measures and communicates the temperature of the conditioned gas 13 near the upper end 121b. The lower temperature sensor 148 measures and communicates the temperature of the sample fluid 13. The temperature sensors 149 measure the temperature of the cooling fluid 153 - two sensors 149 at the inlet 156 measure the temperature of the cooling fluid 153 at the inlet 156, and two sensors 149 at the outlet 157 measure the temperature of the cooling fluid 153 at the outlet.

[0076] The system 190 also includes a control valve 191 and an associated valve control actuator 192 for each cooling device 155, and a control valve 193 and an associated valve control actuator 194 for the gas outlet 113. The valve control actuator 192 controls the flow of the cooling fluid 153 into the cooling device 155 and the inlet 156 of the coil 150 of the separator 110 via the valve 191. In particular, when the valve 191 is in an open position, the cooling fluid 153 flows to the cooling device 155 and the inlet 156, but when the valve 191 is in a closed position, the cooling fluid 153 is restricted and / or prevented from flowing to the cooling device 155 and the inlet 156. The valve control actuator 192 actuates the valve 191 between the open position and the closed position. In addition, because each valve 191 includes its own actuator 192, each valve 191 can be independently controlled. Each cooling device 155 also includes a cooling device actuator 158 that independently controls whether a particular cooling device 155 is on or off, as well as the degree of cooling power output by each cooling device 155 .

[0077] The actuator 194 controls the flow of the regulated gas 14 through the outlet 113 of the separator 110 via the valve 193. In particular, when the valve 193 is in the open position, the regulated gas 14 flows from the separator 110 to the analytical instrument 30, but when the valve 193 is in the closed position, the regulated gas 14 is restricted and / or prevented from flowing from the separator 110 to the analytical instrument 30 through the outlet 113. The valve control actuator 194 actuates the valve 193 between the open position and the closed position. In general, each control actuator (e.g., actuators 192, 194, 158) can be any suitable type of actuator, including but not limited to electronic, hydraulic or pneumatic actuators.

[0078] By using the aforementioned temperature sensors (e.g., temperature sensors 148, 149), valves (e.g., valves 191, 193), and actuators (e.g., actuators 192, 194, 158), the system 190 is able to obtain in real time (a) the temperature of the cooling fluid 153 at each inlet 156 and each outlet 157; (b) the temperature of the conditioned gas 14 at the outlet 113; (c) the state and position (e.g., open, closed, etc.) of each valve 191, 193; and (d) the state (e.g., turned on, turned off, etc.) of each cooling device 155. In addition, by controlling the valve 191 and the cooling device 155 with the actuators 192, 158, respectively, the system 190 is able to control the temperature of the cooling fluid 153 at the inlet 156, which in turn allows the system 190 to control the temperature of the cooling fluid 153 within the coil 150 and the outlet 157, as well as the temperature of the control fluids 13, 14. Still further, by controlling valve 193 with actuator 194 , system 190 is able to control the flow of conditioned gas 14 from separator 110 to analytical instrument 30 .

[0079] Reference now Figure 2 In this embodiment, the components of the system 190 (e.g., valves 191, 193, associated actuators 192, 194, and temperature sensors 148, 149, etc.) are disposed in a housing 195 coupled to the separator 110. In addition, cables for the temperature sensors 148, 149 and actuators 158, 192, 193 are routed to the housing 195. Information acquired using the system 190 (i.e., the temperature of the cooling fluid 153 at the inlet 156 and outlet 157 of the coil 150; the status and position of the valves 191, 193; the status and cooling power of the cooling device 155; and the temperature of the conditioned gas 14) is communicated from the housing 195 to the control room, and the conditioned gas 14 is communicated to the analytical instrument 30.

[0080] Reference again Figure 1During the sampling operation, the cooling device 155 is opened by the actuator 158, and the valve 191 of each cooling device 155 is maintained in an open position by the corresponding actuator 192. As a result, the cooling fluid 153 flows through the valve 191 to the cooling device 155, which reduces the temperature of the cooling fluid 153. The temperature of the cooling fluid 153 at the inlet 156 of each coil 150 is preferably -30°F (Fahrenheit) to 110°F, more preferably 38°F to 42°F. The inlet temperature sensor 149 measures the temperature of the cooling fluid 153 at the inlet 156, and based on the temperature of the cooling fluid 153 at the inlet 156, the cooling device 155 is controlled via the actuator 158 to maintain, increase or decrease the temperature of the cooling fluid 153 passing therethrough to achieve the desired temperature of the cooling fluid 153 at the inlet 156. The cooling fluid 153 is cooled by the cooling device 155 and flows into the coil 150 through the inlet 156, and then passes through the spiral coil 150 around the conduit 121 to the outlet 157. As the cooling fluid 153 flows through the coil 150, the cooling fluid 153 cools the coil 150 and the thermally conductive layer 160, both of which are in direct contact with the conduit 121. At the same time, an unconditioned fluid sample 13 is extracted from the bulk fluid stream 12. The fluid stream 12 (and the unconditioned fluid sample 13) can have a temperature of up to 700°F (for example, the bulk decoking fluid stream typically has a temperature of 350°F to 700°F) and can be a gaseous substance with some suspended particles. The unconditioned fluid sample 13 enters the inlet 111 at the lower end 121a of the conduit 121 and flows therethrough. Thus, the conduit 121 is in direct contact with the relatively cool coil 150 and layer 160, and in direct contact with the relatively hot fluid sample 13. As a result, conductive heat transfer occurs between the conduit 121, the coil 150, and the layer 160. In particular, thermal energy in the fluid sample 13 is transferred across the conduit 121, the layer 160, and the coil 150 and into the cooling fluid 153, thereby increasing the temperature of the cooling fluid 153 as it moves through the coil 150, and decreasing the temperature of the fluid sample 13 as it migrates upward through the conduit 121. In other words, the temperature of the cooling fluid 153 is coolest at the inlet 156, steadily increases as it spirals around the conduit 121 and moves axially downward through the coil 150 toward the outlet 157, and is hottest at the outlet 157; and the temperature of the fluid sample 13 is highest at the inlet 111, steadily decreases as it migrates axially upward through the conduit 121, and is coolest at the conditioned gas outlet 113. Thus, the separator 110 transfers thermal energy from the fluid sample 13 into the cooling fluid 153.

[0081] Reference now Figure 1 and Figure 5, the unconditioned fluid sample 13 enters the inlet 111 at the lower end 110a, 121a and migrates upward through the conduit 121. Upon entering the conduit 121, the unconditioned fluid sample 13 contacts the conduit 121 and the baffle 131. Within the separator 110, the unconditioned fluid sample 13 has its highest temperature at the inlet 111. As previously described, the conduit 121 is cooled by direct contact with the coil 150 and the layer 160. In addition, the baffle 131, which is in direct contact with the conduit 121, is cooled by direct contact with the conduit 121. As a result, at the inlet 111, the temperature of the conduit 121 and the baffle 131 is lower than that of the unconditioned fluid sample 13. As the unconditioned fluid sample 13 contacts the conduit 121 and the baffle 131, the unconditioned fluid sample is cooled and flows through the fluid orifices 135 in the baffle 131. Typically, the unconditioned fluid sample 13 flows freely through the fluid orifices 135 in the baffle 131. However, because the orifices 135 in axially adjacent baffles 131 are not aligned, the unconditioned fluid sample 13 is urged to move radially outward or inward when encountering the lower surface 132a of each baffle 131. As a result, the majority of the unconditioned fluid sample 13 is generally directed or flows toward the fluid orifices 135 because the relatively hot unconditioned fluid sample 13 inherently desires to rise axially upward within the passageway 124.

[0082] Similar to the conduit 121, the temperature of the baffle 131 is lower than the temperature of the unconditioned fluid sample 13. When the fluid sample 13 flows along the conduit 121 and across the baffle 131, heat energy is transferred from the relatively hot sample fluid 13 to the relatively cool conduit 121 and baffle 131, and the temperature of the fluid sample 13 decreases. In addition, because the fluid orifices 135 of the axially adjacent baffles 131 are arranged at different angular positions around the axes 115, 125, when the unconditioned fluid sample 13 migrates upward through the separator assembly 120, the unconditioned fluid sample is forced to change direction along a tortuous path. As a result, the speed of the unconditioned fluid sample 13 gradually decreases, and the pressure of the unconditioned fluid sample 13 gradually increases as it migrates through the separator assembly 120 from the inlet 111 to the outlet 113. Therefore, the pressure of the unconditioned fluid sample 13 is the largest near the outlet 113 and the upper end 121b, which is also the area where the temperature of the unconditioned fluid sample 13, the conduit 121 and the baffle 131 is the lowest. Such conditions (reduced temperature and increased pressure of the fluid sample 13) bring the molecules in the unconditioned fluid sample 13 closer together and promote coalescence of the contaminants 15 (i.e., water and heavy hydrocarbons) to form relatively heavy droplets that drain under gravity and flow downward along the surfaces 132a, 132b and through the orifices 135 in the baffle 131. Small amounts of coalesced liquid contaminants 15 may also drip through any small passages between the cable 140 and the baffle 131 in the hole 134. Particulate matter in the fluid sample 13 may be captured in such droplets and flow axially downward along the surfaces 132a, 132b and through the orifices 135 with the droplets. The contaminants 15 flow along the surfaces 132a, 132b and through the orifices 135 to the lower end 121a and then exit the conduit 121 via the contaminant outlet 112 back into the bulk fluid stream 12. However, as the contaminants 15 coalesce and drain, the remaining unconditioned fluid sample 13 (which has been at least partially conditioned by the removal of some of the contaminants 15 ) continues to migrate upward through the fluid orifice 135 to the outlet 113 .

[0083] In the foregoing manner, the unconditioned fluid sample 13 is gradually transformed into the conditioned gas 14 by gradually separating and removing the contaminants 15. As the unconditioned fluid sample 13 migrates through the separator assembly 120, the contaminants 15 are continuously separated and removed from the unconditioned fluid sample 13. Although the fluid sample 13 is described as "unconditioned" as it moves through the separator assembly 120, and the gas 14 is described as "conditioned" as it leaves the separator assembly 120, it should be understood that the fluid sample 13 is gradually conditioned along its entire migration through the separator assembly 120, and is in its most "conditioned" state when it leaves the separator assembly 120 via the outlet 113.

[0084] As previously described, the system 190 acquires real-time information regarding (a) the temperature of the cooling fluid 153 at each inlet 156 and each outlet 157; (b) the temperature of the conditioned gas 14 at the upper end 121b; (c) the state and position (e.g., open, closed, etc.) of each valve 191, 193; and (d) the state (e.g., on, off, etc.) of each cooling device 155. In addition, by controlling the valve 191 and the cooling device 155 with the actuators 192, 158, respectively, the system 190 is able to control the temperature of the cooling fluid 153 at the inlet 156, which in turn allows the system 190 to control the temperature of the cooling fluid 153 within the coil 150 and the outlet 157, as well as control the temperature of the fluid sample 13. Still further, by controlling the valve 193 with the actuator 194, the system 190 is able to control the flow of the conditioned gas 14 from the separator 110 to the analytical instrument 30. Furthermore, as previously described, separation and removal of the contaminants 15 from the unconditioned fluid sample 13 is caused by: cooling of the unconditioned fluid sample 13; an increase in the pressure of the unconditioned fluid sample 13; and coalescence of the contaminants 15 into droplets. Thus, the temperature of the unconditioned fluid sample 13 as it migrates through the separator assembly 120 is an important factor in the separation process - if the temperature of the unconditioned fluid sample 13 is not sufficiently reduced in the separator assembly 120, adequate separation and removal of the contaminants 15 may not be performed. Without adequate separation and removal of the contaminants 15, the analytical instrument 30 may become dirty and / or damaged.

[0085] The temperature of the cooling fluid 153 at the inlet 156 is preferably maintained at -30°F to 110°F, more preferably at 38°F to 42°F. This temperature range of the cooling fluid 153 results in sufficient heat transfer from the unconditioned fluid sample 13 to achieve an acceptable temperature of the unconditioned fluid sample 13 (i.e., a temperature low enough to achieve the desired separation and removal of the contaminants 15). In particular, a cooling fluid inlet temperature of -30°F to 110°F, more preferably 38°F to 42°F, results in a conditioned gas 14 outlet temperature of 0°F to 110°F, more preferably 60°F to 90°F. If the temperature of the cooling fluid 153 at the inlet 156 measured by the temperature sensor 149 is too low, the degree of cooling provided by the cooling device 155 can be reduced via the actuator 158. On the other hand, if the temperature of the cooling fluid 153 at the inlet 156 measured by the temperature sensor 149 is too high, the degree of cooling provided by the cooling device 155 can be increased via the actuator 158. In some cases, the temperature of the unconditioned fluid sample 13 and the conditioned gas 14 may still be too high. For example, the temperature of the bulk fluid stream 12 may unexpectedly rise, all cooling devices 155 may be operating at maximum capacity, and still fail to achieve the preferred temperature of the cooling fluid 153 at the inlet 156. If the temperature of the conditioned gas 14 at the upper end 121b measured by the upper temperature sensor 148 is high enough that an insufficient amount of contaminants 15 are separated and removed, the system 190 may actuate the valve 193 to a closed position with the actuator 194, thereby limiting and / or preventing the conditioned gas 14 from flowing to the analytical instrument 30.

[0086] Reference now Fig.14 , which shows an embodiment of a system 10' for sampling a bulk fluid flow 12. The system 10' is similar to the previously described and Figure 1 . Thus, the system 10' includes a fluid regulator 200 and the analytical instrument 30 described previously downstream of the regulator 200. The system 10' receives a sample 13 from a fluid stream 12 and conditions the sample 13 with the fluid regulator 200 to remove the contaminants 15 before the contaminants 15 are directed to the analytical instrument 30. In particular, the regulator 200 separates the sample 13 into the contaminants 15 and the remaining gas 14, the contaminants 15 are fed back into the bulk fluid stream 12, and the remaining gas 14 is transmitted to the analytical instrument 30 for analysis. After analysis, the gas 14 is fed from the instrument back into the bulk fluid stream 12.

[0087] Similar to conditioner 100, conditioner 200 may be used in conjunction with any suitable chemical or hydrocarbon processing operation to separate contaminants 15 and gas 14 prior to analysis with instrument 30. In one exemplary embodiment, system 10' is used to sample and analyze a decoking fluid sample from a hydrocarbon cracking operation to determine the yield of ethylene and / or propylene during the cracking operation. In such an embodiment, fluid sample 13 is an unconditioned decoking fluid sample containing contaminants 15 (e.g., water, relatively heavy hydrocarbons (i.e., hydrocarbon molecules having six or more carbon atoms), and a small amount of particulate matter), and gas 14 includes relatively light hydrocarbons (i.e., hydrocarbon molecules having five or fewer carbon atoms, such as ethylene, propylene, methane, ethane, and propane).

[0088] Reference now Fig.14 and Fig.15 , the fluid regulator 200 is similar to the previously described fluid regulator 100, except that the spiral cooling conduit 150 is replaced by a linear cooling conduit, the cooling fluid leaving the cooling device is distributed to the cooling conduits by a manifold, and the thermal conductive layer 160 is not provided. More specifically, the regulator 200 includes a fluid separator 210 and a sample monitoring and control system 190 coupled to the separator 210. The sample monitoring and control system 190 is as previously described, and Fig.15 In FIG. 1 , a sample monitoring and control system 190 is schematically shown.

[0089] Similar to the aforementioned fluid separator 110, the separator 210 utilizes distillation to separate the pollutants 15 and the gas 14. That is, during conditioning with the separator 210, the fluid sample 13 is cooled, and as a result, the gaseous pollutants 15, such as water and relatively heavy hydrocarbons, are phase-changed into liquid droplets that coalesce within the separator 210. Although the fluid sample 13 is cooled within the separator 210 and the gaseous pollutants 15 are separated as liquids, the conditioned gas 14 is still a gas, but at a lower temperature than the fluid sample 13. Thus, the separator 210 may also be described as a distillation device or a detector.

[0090] Reference now Figures 15 to 17 , the fluid separator 210 has a central or longitudinal axis 215, a first or lower end 210a and a second or upper end 210b. Fig.16As best shown in , moving radially outward from the central axis 215, the fluid separator 210 includes a separator assembly 120, a plurality of circumferentially spaced tubular cooling conduits 250 disposed about the separator assembly 120, insulation 280 disposed about the separator assembly 120 and the conduits 250, and a protective outer casing or tubular shroud 270. Thus, the conduits 250 and insulation 280 are radially positioned between the separator assembly 120 and the shroud 270. The shroud 270 provides a rigid shield that protects the conduits 250, insulation 280, and separator assembly 120 from impact and damage, as well as providing a secure base for mounting the system 190 (i.e., the system 190 is securely secured to the shroud 270). The separator assembly 120 is as previously described. Fig.17 In the embodiment, the insulator 280 and the protective cover 270 are not shown, so as to more clearly show the separator assembly 120, the cooling conduit 250 and the relationship between them. In this embodiment, the separator 210 and its central axis 215 are vertically oriented, each coaxially aligned with the axis 125.

[0091] like Fig.16 1 , no annular gap, space, or void is provided between the shroud 270 and the separator assembly 120. Specifically, the conduits 250 directly engage and contact the separator assembly 120, and the insulation 280 completely surrounds and encapsulates the conduits 250 and the assembly 120. The insulation 280 extends radially from the shroud 270 to the conduits 250 and the assembly 120, and specifically, the insulation 280 directly engages the shroud 270, the conduits 250, and the exposed portion of the outer surface 122 that is circumferentially positioned between the conduits 250. Thus, the insulation 280 fills the space that is circumferentially disposed between the conduits 250 and fills the space that is radially positioned between the shroud 270 and the conduits 250.

[0092] Reference now Fig.16 and Fig.17, in this embodiment, the cooling conduits 250 extend linearly (i.e., straightly) along the outer surface 122 of the conduit 121. In particular, a plurality of parallel cooling conduits 250 are vertically oriented and circumferentially spaced apart around the outer surface 122. Each cooling conduit 250 has a first or upper end 250a and a second or lower end 250b opposite the end 250a. In this embodiment, each cooling conduit 250 includes an elongated thin strip or band 251 that is directly and securely fixed to the outer surface 122 of the conduit 121. More specifically, each band 251 has a first or upper end 251a defining the end 250a, a second or lower end 251b defining the end 250b, circumferentially spaced apart lateral sides 251c, 251d extending axially between the ends 251a, 251b, a first or inner surface 252 facing the conduit 121, and a second or outer surface 253 facing away from the conduit 121. The radial thickness of each band 251 measured between surfaces 252, 253 is uniform and constant along its axial length and circumferential width. Fig.16 As best shown in FIG. 1 , each band 251 includes a pair of circumferentially spaced lateral attachment legs or segments 254, 255 and an intermediate arched or convex C-shaped segment 256 located between the attachment segments 254, 255. Each segment 254, 255 extends circumferentially from a corresponding side 251c, 251d, respectively, to an intermediate segment 256, and each segment 254, 255 extends axially from an upper end 251a to a lower end 251b. The intermediate segment 256 is circumferentially positioned between the attachment segments 254, 255 and extends axially from the upper end 251a to the lower end 251b. Along the attachment segments 254, 255, the inner surface 252 is concave, and in particular, is disposed at a radius of curvature equal to the outer radius of the conduit 121 (i.e., the radius of the outer surface 122). Along the intermediate segment 256, the inner surface 252 is also concave, but is disposed at a radius of curvature less than the outer radius of the conduit 121.

[0093] The band 251 is coupled to the conduit 121 by securing the attachment segments 254, 255 directly to the outer surface 122 of the conduit 121. Because the radius of curvature of the inner surface 252 matches along the segments 254, 255 and the outer surface 122, the segments 254, 255 generally match and conform to the outer surface 122 of the conduit 121. However, because the radius of curvature of the inner surface 252 along the intermediate segment 256 is less than the radius of curvature of the outer surface 122, the intermediate segment 256 bulges radially outward relative to the conduit 121 and is radially spaced from the outer surface 122. As a result, each cooling conduit 250 defines a flow passage 257, wherein the flow passage 257 is located between the inner surface 252 along the intermediate segment 256 and the portion of the outer surface 122 that is circumferentially disposed between the attachment segments 254, 255.

[0094] In this embodiment, each band 251 is made of a durable, thermally conductive metal or metal alloy, such as aluminum, stainless steel, or copper. Typically, the attachment segments 254, 255 can be directly secured to the conduit 121 by any suitable means known in the art, including but not limited to adhesives, welding, etc. In this embodiment, the attachment segments 254, 255 are directly secured to the conduit by a durable adhesive (e.g., thermal paste), and a plurality of axially spaced annular hose clamps (not shown) are disposed around the band 251 to radially squeeze and compress the attachment segments 254, 255 against the outer surface 122.

[0095] In this embodiment, four cooling conduits 250 are provided, however, in other embodiments, a different number of cooling conduits (eg, conduits 250) may be provided. Figures 15 to 17 As best shown in FIG. 1 , the cooling conduits 250 are circumferentially positioned so as not to interfere with the gas outlet 113. Thus, in this embodiment, the cooling conduits 250 are not evenly circumferentially spaced around the conduit 121.

[0096] Reference now Fig.17 and Fig.18 , the manifold 260 is disposed around the conduit 121 near the upper end 121b and is coupled to the upper end 251a of the cooling conduit 250. In this embodiment, the manifold 260 has: a generally C-shaped body 261, the body including circumferentially spaced ends 261a, 261b; a radially inner surface 261c extending circumferentially between the ends 261a, 261b; a radially outer surface 261d extending circumferentially between the ends 261a, 261b; a first planar surface or upper planar surface 262 extending radially between the surfaces 261c, 261d; and a second planar surface or lower planar surface 263 extending radially between the surfaces 261c, 261d. In addition, the manifold 260 includes: an internal flow passage 264 extending generally circumferentially between the ends 261a, 261b; a pair of inlet ports 265 extending axially (vertically) from the upper surface 262 to the flow passage 264; and a plurality of outlet ports 266 extending axially (vertically) from the lower surface 263 to the flow passage 264. Thus, the ports 265, 266 and the flow passage 264 are in fluid communication. The flow passage 264 is plugged or capped at each end 261a, 261b to prevent fluid communication between the passage 264 and the surrounding environment. The cooling device 155 as previously described is coupled to each port 265 and supplies the cooling fluid or medium 153 to the passage 264 via the port 265.

[0097] The upper end 251a of the cooling conduit 250 is directly attached to the lower surface 263 of the manifold 260, and each flow passage 257 is circumferentially aligned and fluidly connected with the corresponding port 266. Thus, the ports 265, 266 and the flow passages 264, 257 are in fluid communication. In this embodiment, the upper end 251a is welded to the lower surface 263, thereby fixing the cooling conduit 250 to the manifold 260 in a fixed and sealing manner.

[0098] Reference again Fig.17 and Fig.18 , the inner surface 261c of the body 261 is a cylindrical surface that is disposed at the same or slightly larger radius than the outer surface 122 of the conduit 121, so that the surfaces 261c, 122 are matingly and slidingly engaged. In this embodiment, the manifold 260 is positioned around the conduit 121, wherein the port 126 and the associated gas outlet 113 are circumferentially positioned between the ends 261a, 261b. Thus, the manifold 260 is axially (vertically) aligned with the outlet 113. Generally, the manifold 260 can be fixed to the conduit 121 by any suitable means known in the art, including but not limited to adhesives, welding, etc. In this embodiment, the manifold 260 includes a plurality of circumferential segments positioned end to end, which are radially squeezed and compressed against the outer surface 122 by an annular hose clamp (not shown) disposed around the manifold 260.

[0099] Reference now Fig.17 In this embodiment, the cooling conduit 250 extends axially along substantially the entire length of the conduit 121. In particular, the upper end 250a is located along the conduit 121 near the gas outlet 113, while the lower end 250b is located along the conduit 121 near the lower flange 127.

[0100] Similar to the aforementioned spiral cooling coil 150, the cooling conduit 250 is used to cool the conduit 121 and the fluid therein (e.g., the sample 13). In particular, the cooling fluid 153 flows from the cooling device 155 into the port 265 of the manifold 260, which distributes the cooling fluid 153 to the flow passage 257 of the conduit 250. In particular, the cooling fluid or medium 153 enters the manifold 260 via the inlet port 265, flows through the flow passage 264 to the outlet port 266, and then flows through the outlet port 266 to enter the passage 257 at the upper end 250a of the cooling conduit 250. The cooling fluid 153 flows from the upper end 250a through the passage 257 to the lower end 250b, and the cooling fluid 153 leaves the conduit 250 at the lower end 250b. Due to the temperature difference between the relatively hot sample 13 and the relatively cold cooling fluid 153 in the conduit 121, heat energy is transferred from the sample 13 to the cooling fluid 153 through the conduit 121 and / or the conduit 250, thereby reducing the temperature of the sample 13 in the conduit 121. In order to improve the heat energy transfer between the conduit 121 and the cooling fluid 153, the contact surface area between the conduit 250 and the outer surface 12 of the conduit 121 is increased via the attachment sections 254, 255, and further, the conduit 250 is made of a material with a relatively high thermal conductivity, such as copper, aluminum or stainless steel. When the cooling fluid 153 leaves the conduit 250 at the end 250b, the cooling fluid 153 can be discharged to the environment, or returned to the cooling device 155, re-cooled, and then recirculated through the conduit 250.

[0101] As previously described, the cooling fluid 153 enters the passage 257 at the end 250a and exits the passage 257 at the end 250b. Thus, each flow passage 257 has an inlet at the upper end 250a of the corresponding conduit 250 and an outlet at the lower end 250b of the corresponding conduit 250. In order to enable a sufficient volume flow of the cooling fluid 153, each flow passage 257 preferably has a diameter or width of 0.50 inches to 1.0 inches.

[0102] Reference now Fig.15 and Fig.16, a protective cover 270 is disposed around the separator assembly 120 and the manifold 260 and conduit 250 mounted to the exterior of the separator assembly 120. The cover 270 is an elongated tubular member having: a central or longitudinal axis 275; a first or upper end 270a; a second or lower end 270b; a cylindrical radial inner surface 271 extending axially between the ends 270a, 270b; and a cylindrical radial outer surface 272 extending axially between the ends 270a, 270b. Unlike the previously described cover 170, in this embodiment, the cover 270 is made of a single cylindrical tubular member that is sized to fit over the assembly 120, the manifold 260, and the conduit 250 after they are mounted to the assembly 120. In other words, in this embodiment, the cover 270 is not made of two semi-cylindrical halves attached together.

[0103] The cover 270 protects the components (e.g., manifold 260, conduit 250, insulation 280, etc.) disposed therein from accidental damage (e.g., shielding these components from impact loads). Thus, the cover 270 is preferably made of a durable rigid material, such as steel, stainless steel, copper or aluminum. The cover 270 also provides a base to which the sample monitoring and control system 190 can be securely attached. In this embodiment, a pair of axially spaced mounting members or connectors 176 extend radially from the cover 270. The connector 176 provides a means for fixing the sample monitoring and control system 190 to the separator 210.

[0104] The insulation 280 fills the annular space between the cover 270 and the manifold 260, the conduit 250 and the assembly 120. In addition, the insulation 280 insulates the components disposed therein. Typically, the insulation 280 is used to limit the heat transfer between the conduits 121, 250 and the surrounding environment to promote the heat transfer between the sample 13 in the conduit 121 and the cooling fluid 153 in the conduit 250. Typically, the insulation 280 can be any suitable insulation known in the art. In this embodiment, the insulation 280 is a closed-cell foam that is (i) injected into the annulus between the cover 270 and the manifold 260, the conduit 250 and the assembly 120 after positioning the cover around the manifold 260, the conduit 250 and the assembly 120, and (ii) allows the closed-cell foam to expand, solidify and dry to completely fill the annulus and encapsulate the manifold 260, the conduit 250 and the portion of the assembly 120 disposed in the cover 270.

[0105] Generally, the system 10 'and the associated fluid regulator 200 function in the same manner as the previously described system 10 and fluid regulator 100. That is, during sampling operation, the cooling device 155 is turned on by the actuator 158, and the valve 191 of the cooling device 155 is maintained in an open position by the corresponding actuator 192. As a result, the cooling fluid 153 flows through the valve 191 to the cooling device 155, which reduces the temperature of the cooling fluid 153 leaving each cooling device 155. In this embodiment, the cooling fluid 153 supplied by each cooling device 155 is cooled air. The temperature of the cooling fluid 153 at the inlet of each conduit 250 is preferably 0°F to 50°F, and more preferably 38°F to 42°F. The temperature of the cooling fluid 153 at the inlet of each conduit 250 is indirectly measured by the inlet temperature sensor 149 associated with the cooling device 155, which measures the temperature of the cooling fluid 153 at each inlet 265 of the manifold 260. Based on the temperature of the cooling fluid 153 at each inlet 265 , the cooling device 155 is controlled via the actuator 158 to maintain, increase, or decrease the temperature of the cooling fluid 153 to achieve a desired temperature of the cooling fluid 153 at the inlet 265 .

[0106] The cooling fluid 153 is cooled by the cooling device 155 and flows through the manifold 260 and the conduit 260 as previously described. As the cooling fluid 153 flows through the conduit 250, the cooling fluid 153 cools the conduit 250 and the conduit 121. The conduit 250 is in direct contact with the conduit 121, thereby also cooling the conduit 121. At the same time, the unconditioned fluid sample 13 is drawn from the bulk fluid stream 12 and enters the inlet 111 at the lower end 121a of the conduit 121 and flows therethrough. Thus, the conduit 121 is in direct contact with the relatively cool conduit 150 and the cooling fluid 153 flowing through the passage 257, and is in direct contact with the relatively hot fluid sample 13. As a result, conductive heat transfer occurs between the conduit 121 and the conduit 250. In particular, thermal energy in the fluid sample 13 is transferred across the conduit 121 and the conduit 250 into the cooling fluid 153, thereby increasing the temperature of the cooling fluid 153 as the cooling fluid 153 moves through the conduit 250, and decreasing the temperature of the fluid sample 13 as the fluid sample 13 migrates upward through the conduit 121. Thus, the separator 210 transfers thermal energy from the fluid sample 13 to the cooling fluid 153.

[0107] The unconditioned fluid sample 13 enters the inlet 111 at the lower end 110a, 121a and migrates upward through the conduit 121 in the same manner as described above. As the fluid sample 13 migrates upward within the conduit 121, its temperature decreases and its pressure increases, bringing the molecules in the unconditioned fluid sample 13 closer together and promoting the agglomeration of the contaminants 15 (i.e., water and heavy hydrocarbons), which form relatively heavy droplets that drain under gravity and flow downward to the lower end 121a and then exit the conduit 121 via the contaminant outlet 112 back into the bulk fluid stream 12. The remaining unconditioned fluid sample 13, which has been at least partially conditioned by the removal of some of the contaminants 15, continues to migrate upward through the fluid orifice 135 to the outlet 113. Thus, the unconditioned fluid sample 13 is gradually converted into a conditioned gas 14 by the gradual separation and removal of the contaminants 15. The contaminants 15 are continuously separated and removed from the unconditioned fluid sample 13 as it migrates through the separator assembly 120.

[0108] During sampling operations using the fluid regulator 200, the system 190 acquires real-time information regarding (a) the temperature of the cooling fluid 153 at the inlet 265 of the manifold 260 and at the outlet of each conduit 260; (b) the temperature of the conditioned gas 14 at the upper end 121b; (c) the state and position (e.g., open, closed, etc.) of each valve 191, 193; and (d) the state (e.g., on, off, etc.) of each cooling device 155. In addition, by controlling the valve 191 and the cooling device 155 with the actuators 192, 158, respectively, the system 190 is able to control the temperature of the cooling fluid 153 at the inlet 265, which in turn allows the system 190 to control the temperature of the cooling fluid 153 within the conduits 250 and at the outlet of each conduit 250, as well as control the temperature of the fluid sample 13. Still further, by controlling the valve 193 with the actuator 194, the system 190 is able to control the flow of the conditioned gas 14 from the separator 210 to the analytical instrument 30.

[0109] The temperature of the cooling fluid 153 at each inlet 265 of the manifold 260 is preferably maintained at 0°F to 50°F, more preferably 38°F to 42°F. This temperature range of the cooling fluid 153 enables sufficient heat transfer from the unconditioned fluid sample 13 to achieve an acceptable temperature of the unconditioned fluid sample 13 (i.e., a temperature low enough to achieve the desired separation and removal of the contaminants 15). In particular, a cooling fluid inlet temperature of 0°F to 50°F, more preferably 38°F to 42°F, results in a conditioned gas 14 outlet temperature of 40°F to 65°F. If the temperature of the cooling fluid 153 at the inlet 265, as indirectly measured by the temperature sensor 149, is too low, the degree of cooling provided by the cooling device 155 can be reduced via the actuator 158. On the other hand, if the temperature of the cooling fluid 153 at the inlet 265, as indirectly measured by the temperature sensor 149, is too high, the degree of cooling provided by the cooling device 155 can be increased via the actuator 158. In some cases, the temperature of the unconditioned fluid sample 13 and the conditioned gas 14 may still be too high. For example, the temperature of the bulk fluid stream 12 may unexpectedly rise, all cooling devices 155 may be operating at maximum capacity, and still fail to achieve the preferred temperature of the cooling fluid 153 at the inlet 265. If the temperature of the conditioned gas 14 at the upper end 121b measured by the upper temperature sensor 148 is high enough that an insufficient amount of contaminants 15 are separated and removed, the system 190 may actuate the valve 193 to a closed position with the actuator 194, thereby limiting and / or preventing the conditioned gas 14 from flowing to the analytical instrument 30.

[0110] In the embodiments of the separators 110, 210 of the fluid regulators 100, 200 of the fluid sampling systems 10, 10', respectively, the baffle assembly 130 is removably disposed in the tubular conduit 121. In the baffle assembly 130, each baffle 131 is a circular flat disk. However, in other embodiments, the baffle assembly may include baffles having different geometric shapes.

[0111] Reference now Fig.19 , which shows an embodiment of a baffle assembly 330. Generally, the baffle assembly 330 can be used to replace the baffle assembly 130 described above. In other words, the baffle assembly 330 can be used in the separator 110, 210 of the fluid regulator 100, 200 in the system 10, 10' described above. For the purpose of clarity and context, Fig.19 , the baffle assembly 330 is shown as being slidably disposed in the conduit 121.

[0112] Similar to the previously described baffle assembly 130, in this embodiment, the baffle assembly 330 includes a plurality of stacked baffles 331 and a plurality of spacers 350 to maintain a predetermined spacing of each pair of adjacent baffles 331. However, in this embodiment, the baffle assembly 330 does not include a distinct and separate top plate 136. Additionally, in this embodiment, the baffles 331, described in more detail below, have a different geometry than the previously described baffles 131; and the baffle assembly 330 includes only a single flexible cable 340 extending through the baffles 331 and the spacers 350. The baffle assembly 330 is sized and arranged to fit within the conduit 121, wherein the baffles 331 are positioned below the port 126 when the baffle assembly 330 is disposed within the conduit 121. The baffle assembly 330 has a central or longitudinal axis 335, wherein the central or longitudinal axis 335 is coaxially aligned with the axes 115, 125 when the baffle assembly 330 is located in the conduit 121.

[0113] Still refer to Fig.19 , a single cable 340 extends axially downward through each baffle 331, through a curved tubular guide 345 coupled to the lowermost baffle 331, and returns axially upward through each baffle 331. Thus, the cable 340 can be described as including two axial or linear portions 341, 342 and an arcuate portion (not visible) extending between the axial portions 341, 342 through the guide 345. The baffles 331 and the spacers 350 are slidably mounted to the axial portions 341, 342, and the guide 345 is slidably disposed around the lower curved portion of the cable 340. The guide 345 is a rigid, generally semicircular tubular member that smoothly bends 180° and allows a single cable 340 to slide through so that the portions 341, 342 of the single cable 340 can extend up and down parallel to each other through the baffles 341. In this embodiment, the guide 345 is a stainless steel tube or conduit having open ends welded to the lowermost baffle 341. Each open end of the guide 345 is aligned with a corresponding hole in the lowermost baffle 341. The axial portions 341, 342 are angularly spaced 180 degrees from each other relative to the central axis 335. In particular, the central axes of the axial portions 341, 342 and the central axis 335 lie in a common vertical plane, with the axis 335 disposed between the axial portions 341, 342. In this embodiment, the cable 340 is a braided stainless steel flexible cable having an outer diameter of less than 0.20 inches.

[0114] The spacers 350 are slidably mounted to the cable 340 between each pair of adjacent baffles 331. In particular, one spacer 350 is slidably mounted to each axial portion 341, 342 of the cable 340 between each pair of axially adjacent baffles 331. The pair of spacers 350 positioned between any given pair of axially adjacent baffles 331 defines the vertical axial spacing of the pair of adjacent baffles 331. As will be described in more detail below, each spacer 350 has the same axial height, and thus, each pair of axially adjacent baffles 331 are equally spaced apart in the axial and vertical directions.

[0115] Reference now Fig. 20 and Fig.21 , wherein an exemplary spacer 350 is shown. Fig.19 In the embodiment of the baffle assembly 330 shown in FIG. 1 , each spacer 350 is identical, and thus, one spacer 350 will be described with the understanding that the other spacers 350 are identical. The spacer 350 is a rigid tube having a cylindrical body 351, wherein the cylindrical body 351 has: a central or longitudinal axis 355; a first or upper end 351a; a second or lower end 351b; and a cylindrical throughbore 352 extending axially from the upper end 351a to the lower end 351b. The body 351 has: a height H measured axially from the end 351a to the end 351b 351 ; The inner diameter ID of the through hole 352 is limited 351 ; and outer diameter OD 351 . Height H 351 A predetermined axial spacing is defined between each pair of adjacent baffles 331. In this embodiment, the height H 351 The through hole 352 is sized to receive the cable 340 therethrough. Thus, the inner diameter ID 351 352 and is larger than the outer diameter of the cable 340, thereby allowing the cable 340 to pass through the hole 352 and slide into engagement with the body 251. In this embodiment, the inner diameter ID 351 Between 0.10 and 0.30 inches, more specifically 0.20 inches. In this embodiment, OD 351 Less than 0.50 inches, more specifically 0.375 inches.

[0116] Reference now Fig. 22 and Fig.23 , wherein an exemplary baffle 331 of the baffle assembly 330 is shown. Fig.19In the embodiment of the baffle assembly 330 shown in FIG, each baffle 331 is identical, and thus, one baffle 331 should be described with the understanding that the other baffles 331 are identical. In particular, the baffle 331 is a circular flat disk or plate having: a central axis A 331 ; a planar upper surface 332a; a planar lower surface 332b, a radially outer convex cylindrical surface 333; a plurality of cable holes 334; and a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart curved concave fluid flow recesses 336 disposed along the outer surface 333. The circumferentially spaced apart concave recesses 336 intersect the outer convex cylindrical surface 333, and thus, the outer convex cylindrical surface 333 may also be described as being divided into a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart outer convex cylindrical surfaces 333, wherein it is understood that one concave recess 335 is circumferentially disposed between each pair of circumferentially adjacent outer convex cylindrical surfaces 333.

[0117] Surfaces 332a, 332b are oriented parallel to each other and perpendicular to axis A. 331 In addition, axis A 331 The cable hole 334, the convex cylindrical surface 333 and the concave recess 336 are axially (relative to the axis A) 331 ) extends from upper surface 332a to lower surface 332b through baffle 331. In this embodiment, no fluid orifice (eg, fluid orifice 135) is provided, but is effectively replaced by a concave recess 336, as will be described in more detail below.

[0118] The baffle 331 has a 331 The outer radius R measured radially from the outer cylindrical surface 333 331 , and a thickness T measured axially between surfaces 332a, 332b 331 Radius R 331 With catheter 121 ( Figure 6 ) inner radius R 123 The same as or slightly smaller (for example, smaller than the inner radius R of the conduit 121) 123 Thus, when the baffle assembly 330 is disposed within the conduit 121, the cylindrical outer surface 333 of each baffle 331 slidably engages the cylindrical inner surface 123 of the conduit 121. The thickness T of each baffle 331 is 331 Preferably, it is about 1 / 16 inch to about 1 / 4 inch. In this embodiment, the outer radius R 331 1.13 inches, thickness T 331 is 0.125 inches. Fig.19 As shown in FIG. 1 , when the baffle 331 is installed on the cable 340, the central axis A 331 Coaxially aligned with the central axis 335 of the baffle assembly 330 .

[0119] For the purpose of clarity and further explanation, Fig. 22 The coordinate axis system is shown in FIG. The coordinate axis system includes orthogonal X, Y and Z axes. The Z axis is aligned with the central axis A of the baffle 331. 331 Overlap and coaxially align. The X-axis and the Y-axis are arranged in a plane (XY plane) oriented perpendicular to the Z-axis and parallel to the surfaces 332a, 332b. In addition, the X-axis is perpendicular to and intersects the Y-axis, and the X-axis and the Y-axis are perpendicular to and intersect the Z-axis. Thus, the Y-axis and the Z-axis are arranged in a plane (YZ plane) oriented perpendicular to the X-axis, and the X-axis and the Z-axis are arranged in a plane (XZ plane) oriented perpendicular to the Y-axis.

[0120] Still refer to Fig. 22 In this embodiment, the baffle 331 includes six circumferentially spaced cable holes 334, which are arranged in three groups of two holes 334 that are evenly spaced circumferentially. In particular, the holes 334 include a plurality of holes 334 around the axis A. 331 The first pair of holes 334' are angularly spaced 180 degrees apart, about the axis A 331 A second pair of holes 334" spaced angularly 180° apart (from the Z axis), and about the axis A 331 A third pair of holes 334"' is spaced angularly apart by 180 degrees. As will be described in more detail below, the cable 340 extends through one of the pairs of holes 334', 334", 334"' in each baffle 331 so that the portions 341, 342 of the cable 340 are oriented parallel to each other and about the axes 335, A 331 Angularly spaced at 180° intervals.

[0121] The three pairs of holes 334', 334", 334'" are arranged around the axis A. 331 (and the Z axis) are evenly spaced apart at an angle of 45°. Thus, a pair of holes 334" is circumferentially arranged between a pair of holes 334' and a pair of holes 334"', and a pair of holes 334" is spaced apart at an angle of 45° from a pair of holes 334' and spaced apart at an angle of 45° from a pair of holes 334"'. Therefore, a pair of holes 334' can be described as being centered on the X axis and bisected by the XZ plane in a top view, a pair of holes 334"' can be described as being centered on the Z axis and bisected by the YZ plane in a top view, and a pair of holes 334" is bisected by a plane that contains the Z axis and is oriented at 45° relative to both the XZ plane and the YZ plane. Due to the positioning and spacing of the three pairs of holes 334, a pair of holes 334' and a pair of holes 334"' are arranged around axis A in a top view. 331 (and the Z axis) are spaced apart at 90° angles in the clockwise and counterclockwise directions.

[0122] Still refer to Fig. 22In the top view, each hole 334 is arranged perpendicular to the axis A. 331 (and Z axis) measured to the same radius R of the center of hole 334 334 In this embodiment, the cable hole 334 is positioned close to the central axis A of the baffle 331. 331 In particular, the radius R of each hole 334 is 334 Preferably less than or equal to the outer radius R 331 50%, more preferably the outer radius R 331 In this embodiment, the radius R of each hole 334 is 334 is 0.375 inches.

[0123] Each hole 334 has the same diameter D 334 The holes 334 are generally sized to receive the cables 340, and thus, the diameter D of each hole 334 is 334 is greater than the diameter or maximum width of the cable 340 so that the cable 340 can pass through any given hole 334 and slidably engage the baffle 331. As previously described, in this embodiment, the outer diameter of the cable 340 is less than 0.20 inches. Thus, the diameter D334 of each hole 334 is greater than 0.20 inches. However, the diameter D 334 The diameter D of each hole 334 is preferably minimized to restrict fluid flow therethrough and to promote fluid flow through the concave recess 336 (gas flows upward through the recess 336 and liquid flows downward through the recess 336), as will be described in more detail below. 334 Greater than 0.20 inches and less than 0.30 inches. In this embodiment, the diameter D of each hole 334 is 334 is 0.26 inches.

[0124] Still refer to Fig. 22 In this embodiment, the baffle 331 includes two concave portions 336 that are evenly spaced apart along the circumference. Therefore, the two concave portions 336 are circumferentially spaced apart from each other. 331 180° apart. Fig. 22 As shown in , the concave recess 336 is bisected in top view by the X-axis and the XZ plane, and thus, the radial centerline of the recess 336 and the center of the hole 334'" are radially aligned and centered relative to each other.

[0125] In this embodiment, each recess 336 is identical. In particular, each recess 336 extends circumferentially from a first end 336a intersecting the cylindrical outer surface 333 to a second end 336b intersecting the cylindrical outer surface 333. The ends 336a, 336b are disposed on opposite sides of the X-axis and the XZ plane. In this embodiment, the ends 336a, 336b of each recess 336 are at an angle α greater than 30° and less than 150°, more particularly greater than or equal to 60° and less than or equal to 120°. 336 In this embodiment, each angle α 336 are the same, in particular, each angle α 336 Therefore, the ends 336a of the recess 336 are radially aligned with each other and with the center of the hole 334" (relative to the axis A). 331 ) are radially aligned, and the ends 336b of the recesses 336 are radially aligned with each other (relative to the axis A 331 ) but is not radially aligned with any hole 334. Since each recess 336 is bisected by the X-axis and the XZ plane in a top view, and the ends 336a, 336b of each recess 336 are spaced apart at an angle of 90°, each end 336a, 336b of each recess 336 is spaced apart at an angle of 45° from the X-axis and the XZ plane in a top view.

[0126] Each recess 336 is defined by a smooth and continuously curved concave surface 337 extending between corresponding ends 336a, 336b. In addition, each recess 336 has a 331 The maximum radial depth D measured radially inward from the projection of the cylindrical outer surface 333 to the concave surface 337 336 The maximum radial depth D of each recess 336 is 336 Smaller than the outer radius R of the baffle 331 331 In this embodiment, the maximum radial depth D of each recess 336 is 336 is the outer radius R of the baffle 331 331 As previously mentioned, the concave surface 337 is smoothly and continuously curved. More specifically, in this embodiment, the concave surface 337 is a surface having a constant radius of curvature R 337 The radius of curvature R of each concave surface 337 is 337 Smaller than the outer radius R of the baffle 331 331 , more specifically, smaller than the outer radius R of the baffle 331 331 In this embodiment, the curvature radius R of each concave surface 337 is 337 is the outer radius R of the baffle 331 331 About 66% of the

[0127] Reference now Fig.24 The baffles 331 are mounted to the cable 340 in a spiral arrangement so that the recess 336 and the cable hole 334 of each baffle 331 are arranged in a top view relative to each axially adjacent baffle 331 around the axis 335, A 331 Spaced at 45° angles. Fig.19 In the embodiment of the baffle assembly shown in , each baffle 331 is rotated at an angle of 45° relative to the adjacent baffle 331 in the same direction (clockwise or counterclockwise) to move axially relative to the axis 335 of the baffle assembly 330 in a given direction (e.g., upward or downward).

[0128] Fig.24 Three axially adjacent baffles 331 of the baffle assembly 330 are schematically shown. For the purpose of clarity and further explanation, Fig.24 The three baffles 331 and the corresponding recesses 336 shown in the figure are labeled as 331', 336', 331", 336", 331"', 336"', where it should be understood that baffle 331' includes recess 336', baffle 331" includes recess 336", and baffle 331"' includes recess 336"'. In addition, baffles 331', 331", 331"' are arranged vertically, wherein baffle 331" is directly above baffle 331', and baffle 331"' is directly above baffle 331". Thus, baffle 331" is axially positioned between baffles 331', 331"'. As shown in FIG. Fig.24 As shown in FIG. 1 , the top baffle 331 ″′ is represented by a solid line, the middle baffle 331 ″ is represented by a dashed line, and the bottom baffle 331 ′ is represented by a dotted line (the dashed line is shorter than the baffle 331 ″). Although Fig.24 It is not visible in the drawing, but a pair of spacers 350 are axially disposed between each pair of axially adjacent baffles 331 ′, 331 ″, 331 ′″.

[0129] Still refer to Fig.24, the linear portions 341, 342 extend through a pair of holes 334 in each baffle 331', 331", 331"'. Due to the angular spacing of the holes 334 in each baffle 331', 331", 331"', as previously described, despite the spiral arrangement of the baffles 331', 331", 331"' and the angular rotation of each baffle 331', 331", 331"' relative to each axially adjacent baffle 331', 331", 331"', a pair of diametrically opposed holes 334 (i.e., holes 334 spaced 180° apart) in each baffle 331', 331", 331"' is aligned with a pair of diametrically opposed holes 334 (i.e., holes 334 spaced 180° apart) in each adjacent baffle 331', 331", 331"'. Thus, portions 341, 342 extend linearly and axially through pairs of rotationally aligned holes 334 in baffles 331', 331", 331'". In other words, portions 341, 342 of cable 340 do not spiral as they extend through baffles 331', 331", 331'".

[0130] Due to the spiral arrangement of the baffles 331, in a top view, the concave recess 336 in each baffle 331 is partially overlapped and blocked by each axially adjacent baffle 331. Fig.24 In the top view of the embodiment, the recess 336' of the baffle 331' is partially blocked and overlapped by the axially adjacent baffle 331", the recess 336" of the baffle 331" is partially blocked and overlapped by each axially adjacent baffle 331', 331"', and the recess 336"' in the baffle 331"' is partially blocked and overlapped by the axially adjacent baffle 331". In the embodiment described herein, except for the uppermost and lowermost baffles 331 of the assembly 330 (the uppermost and lowermost baffles are In a top view, the recess 336 in each baffle 331 of the assembly 330 is completely blocked and overlapped by a pair of axially adjacent baffles 331 (i.e., the axially adjacent baffle 331 directly above and the axially adjacent baffle 331 directly below), except for only one other baffle 331 axially adjacent to the other baffle 331. As will be described in more detail below, the spiral arrangement of the baffles 331 and each recess 336 are partially blocked by each axially adjacent baffle 331 in a top view (i.e., in a direction relative to the axis 335, A 331 ), resulting in the recess 336 defining a pair of substantially parallel, spiral fluid flow paths along the outer periphery of the baffle assembly 330.

[0131] Reference now Fig.19, the baffle assembly 330 is assembled by passing the cable 340 through one hole 334 of the lowermost baffle 331 aligned with one end of the tubular guide 345, through and around the tubular guide 345, and through the hole 334 aligned with the other end of the tubular guide 345. Next, the spacer 350 is slidingly disposed in each linear portion 341, 342 of the cable 340 and axially slid to engage with the lowermost baffle 331 of the assembly 330. Then, in a top view, the baffle 331 is rotated 45° relative to the lowermost baffle 331 of the baffle assembly 330, the linear portions 341, 342 maintaining a 180° spacing while advancing through the corresponding holes 334 of the baffle 331 aligned with the portions 341, 342, and the baffle 331 is axially slid along the linear portions 341, 342 and engaged with a pair of spacers 350. This process is generally repeated to mount each additional baffle 331 to the linear portion 341 , 342 in the spiral arrangement previously described.

[0132] The baffle assembly 330 is installed in the conduit 121 to form a separator in the same manner as the baffle assembly 130 described above. That is, the cap 147 is removed from the upper end 121a of the conduit 121 to provide access to the passage 124 via the upper end 121a. Next, the baffle assembly 330 is lifted and supported by the operator via the cable 340 and then lowered into the passage 124 until the lowermost baffle 331 is seated on the shoulder 123a. As the lowermost baffle 131 is seated on the shoulder 123a, the weight of the baffle assembly 330 is transferred from the cable 340 to the conduit 121, thereby allowing the operator to release the cable 340 and reattach the cap 147 to the upper end 121a to form a separator. The weight of the baffle assembly 330 is transmitted to the lowermost baffle 331 directly supported by the shoulder 123a through the baffle 331 and the spacer 350. When baffle assembly 330 is disposed in conduit 121, baffles 331 are axially spaced and stacked one on top of the other, and linear portions 341, 342 are oriented parallel to, but radially offset from and spaced from, axes 115, 125, 335. Additionally, baffle 331 is positioned below port 126. Removal of baffle assembly 330 from conduit 121 is accomplished by performing the above-described installation process in reverse order.

[0133] It should be appreciated that the flexible cable 340 (and its linear portions 341, 342) allow for some flexing of the baffle assembly 330 as it is inserted into and withdrawn from the conduit 121. In particular, the baffle assembly 330 can flex at least 90° along its central longitudinal axis 335 such that the central longitudinal axis 335 of the baffle assembly 330 at its upper end is oriented horizontally, while the central longitudinal axis 335 of the baffle assembly 330 at its lower end is oriented vertically. Such flexing provides advantages in applications where overhead space (i.e., space above the fluid regulator 100) is limited due to the presence of other equipment. In other words, the ability of the baffle assembly 330 to bend and flex significantly reduces the vertical clearance required above the conduit 121 to install and remove the baffle assembly 330 from the conduit 121. Additionally, the flexibility of the baffle assembly 330 allows a limited degree of lateral movement of the individual baffles 331 relative to one another, which can enhance contact between the individual baffles 331 and the conduit 121, thereby providing the potential for increased heat transfer between the baffle assembly 330 and the conduit 121. It should also be appreciated that the linear portions 341, 342 through which the cables 340 pass through the baffles 331 also limit and / or prevent rotation of the individual baffles 331 relative to one another about the central longitudinal axis 335 of the baffle assembly 330 during and after installation of the baffle assembly 330 in the conduit 121.

[0134] As previously described, in this embodiment, each baffle 331 is identical. Due to the geometry of each baffle 331 and the angular spacing of the recesses 336 and the cable holes 334, identical baffles 331 can be arranged by the aforementioned continuous spiral arrangement of recesses 336 with 45° angular spacing, while limiting the number of holes 334 to three pairs of corresponding holes 334', 334", 334'" instead of four pairs of holes 334 by simply flipping every four baffles 334.

[0135] In general, the components of the baffle assembly 330 may include any suitable material, such as metal(s) and metal alloys (e.g., aluminum, steel, etc.), non-metals (e.g., ceramics, polymers, etc.), composite materials, or combinations thereof. However, the components of the baffle assembly 330 preferably include durable materials that can withstand prolonged exposure to relatively harsh conditions (e.g., temperature, corrosive effects, etc.) imposed by the unconditioned sample 13. Examples of suitable materials for the components of the baffle assembly 330 include stainless steel (e.g., 316 stainless steel), nickel alloys and superalloys (e.g., monel, monel 400, inconel, inconel 625, Hastelloy from Hastelloy International, Inc., USA), tantalum and tantalum alloys, titanium and titanium alloys, or combinations thereof. In this embodiment, the components of the baffle assembly 330 are made of 316 stainless steel.

[0136] As previously described, the baffle assembly 330 can be removed from the conduit 121 via the flexible cable 340. For example, the baffle assembly 330 can be removed after a period of time to clean the baffle 331. However, in other embodiments, the baffle assembly (e.g., baffle assembly 330) is installed in a tubular conduit (e.g., conduit 121), but cannot be removed from the tubular conduit subsequently. For example, in one such embodiment, one or more baffles (e.g., baffle 341) can be welded to the interior of the conduit after installation, and / or a shoulder can be welded to the interior of the conduit adjacent to the baffle to prevent the baffle assembly from being pulled out of the conduit. In embodiments including a non-removable baffle assembly, cleaning of the baffle assembly can be accomplished by flowing steam and / or other gaseous cleaning components through the conduit and the baffle assembly disposed therein. It should also be understood that recesses (e.g., recess 336) of relatively large size (e.g., cross-sectional area) are less prone to clogging and, therefore, may not require cleaning or at least do not require frequent cleaning.

[0137] Reference again Fig.19 , the cables 340 extend through the baffles 331. In particular, each cable 340 extends through two diametrically opposed holes 334 in each baffle 331. As previously described, the baffles 331 are arranged in a spiral arrangement so that a pair of diametrically opposed holes 334 in each baffle 334 are coaxially aligned with a pair of diametrically opposed holes 334 in each axially adjacent baffle 334. As previously described, the positioning and spacing of the holes 334 in the baffles 331 and the rotation of the baffles 334 relative to the adjacent baffles 334 enable 180° angular spacing of the linear portions 341, 342 of the cables 340. The holes 334 are radially positioned proximate the axis 335, A 331 Close (closer to the axis 335, A than the outer periphery of the baffle 334) 331 ), and thus, the linear portions 341, 342 are radially away from the outer perimeter of the baffle plate 334 and the inner surface 123 of the conduit 121. The diameter of each cable hole 334 is substantially equal to or slightly larger than the outer diameter of the cable 340. Thus, when the cable is disposed in the hole 334, it slidingly engages the baffle plate 331 and further restricts and / or prevents fluid flow through such hole 334. Although some fluid may flow through the unused open cable hole 334, because the cross-sectional area of ​​the hole 334 is relatively small compared to the relatively large cross-sectional area of ​​the recess 336, the fluid flowing through the conduit 121 primarily flows along the outer perimeter of the baffle plate assembly 330 through the recess 336 (i.e., along the outer perimeter of the baffle plate assembly 330, through the parallel, spiral fluid flow path defined by the recess 336). It should be appreciated that the orientation of each baffle 331 such that they at least partially overlap in a top view and block the recess 336 of each adjacent baffle 331 , creating a more tortuous path for fluid flowing through the passageway 124 of the conduit 121 .

[0138] In general, the baffle assembly 330 and the associated separator function in a similar manner to the aforementioned separators 110, 210. In particular, the unconditioned fluid sample 13 enters the inlet (e.g., inlet 111) at the lower end 121a of the conduit 121 and migrates upward through the conduit 121. Upon entering the conduit 121, the unconditioned fluid sample 13 contacts the conduit 121 and the baffle 331. Within the separator, the unconditioned fluid sample 13 has the highest temperature at the inlet. As the fluid sample 13 flows into and through the conduit 121, the conduit 121 is cooled (e.g., via direct contact with the coil 150 and the layer 160). In addition, the baffle 331 is cooled via direct sliding contact with the conduit 121. As a result, the temperature of the conduit 121 and the baffle 331 is lower than the temperature of the unconditioned fluid sample 13 at the inlet. When the unconditioned fluid sample 13 contacts the conduit 121 and the baffle 331, it is cooled. Although some fluid sample 13 may flow through the unused open cable hole 334, due to the relatively small cross-sectional area of ​​the hole 334 compared to the relatively large cross-sectional area of ​​the recess 336, most of the unconditioned fluid sample 13 flows through the recess 336 along the outer periphery of the baffle assembly 330 (i.e., along the outer periphery of the baffle assembly 330, flowing through the parallel, spiral fluid flow path defined by the recess 336). Generally, the unconditioned fluid sample 13 can flow freely through the recess 336. However, because the recess 336 is positioned proximate to the outer periphery of the baffle 331 adjacent to the conduit 121, and the recess 336 axially adjacent to the baffle 331 is not angularly aligned, the unconditioned fluid sample 13 is pushed upon encountering the lower surface 332a of each baffle 331 in the baffle assembly 330, thereby moving circumferentially and radially outward. As a result, a majority of the unconditioned fluid sample 13 is generally directed or flows toward the recess 336 , as the relatively hotter unconditioned fluid sample 13 inherently desires to rise axially upward within the passageway 124 of the conduit 121 .

[0139] Similar to the conduit 121, the temperature of the baffle 331 is lower than the temperature of the unconditioned fluid sample 13. When the fluid sample 13 flows along the conduit 121 and across the baffle 331, heat energy is transferred from the relatively hot sample fluid 13 to the relatively cool conduit 121 and baffle 331, and the temperature of the fluid sample 13 decreases. In addition, since the recessed portions 336 of the axially adjacent baffles 131 are arranged around the axis 335, A 331The unregulated fluid sample 13 is arranged at different angular positions, so that as the unregulated fluid sample 13 migrates upward through the separator, the unregulated fluid sample 13 is forced to change direction along a tortuous path. As a result, the speed of the unregulated fluid sample 13 gradually decreases, and the pressure of the unregulated fluid sample 13 gradually increases as it migrates through the separator from the inlet (inlet 111) to the outlet (e.g., outlet 113). Thus, the pressure of the unregulated fluid sample 13 is maximum near the outlet and the upper end 121b of the conduit 121, which is also the area where the temperature of the unregulated fluid sample 13, the conduit 121 and the baffle 331 is the lowest. Such conditions (the temperature of the fluid sample 13 decreases and the pressure increases) bring the molecules in the unregulated fluid sample 13 closer together and promote the coalescence of the pollutants 15 (i.e., water and heavy hydrocarbons) to form relatively heavy droplets, which are discharged under the action of gravity and flow downward along the surfaces 332a, 332b and pass through the recess 336 in the baffle 331. Small amounts of coalesced liquid contaminants 15 may also drip through unused open cable holes 334, as well as any small passages in the cable holes 334 between the cable 340 and the baffle 331. Particulate matter in the fluid sample 13 may be captured in such droplets and flow along the surfaces 332a, 332b and flow downward through the recess 336 with the droplets. The contaminants 15 flow along the surfaces 332a, 332b and flow through the recess 336 to the lower end 121a of the conduit 121, and then exit the conduit 121 back into the bulk fluid stream 12 via the contaminant outlet 112. However, as the contaminants 15 coalesce and drain, the remaining unconditioned fluid sample 13 (which has been at least partially conditioned by removing some of the contaminants 15) continues to migrate upward through the recess 336 to the outlet of the separator (e.g., outlet 113 of the separator 110).

[0140] In the aforementioned manner, the unconditioned fluid sample 13 is gradually converted into the conditioned gas 14 by the continuous and gradual separation and removal of the contaminants 15 from the unconditioned fluid sample 13 as it migrates through the separator. The recesses 336 in the baffle 331 provide enhanced potential for drainage of liquid contaminants 15 (and particulate matter captured in the liquid contaminants 15) compared to the fluid orifices 135 in the aforementioned baffle 131. More specifically, the extent of drainage of liquid contaminants (e.g., liquid contaminants 15) through drainage voids in the baffle can be characterized and quantified at least in part by a "drainage ratio," which is equal to the total cross-sectional area of ​​all drainage voids in the baffle divided by the total cross-sectional area of ​​the baffle (including all drainage voids). The term "drainage void," as used herein, refers to a fluid passage, orifice, hole, etc. extending through a baffle and configured to allow liquid contaminants to drain through the baffle. For example, in baffle 131, the drainage voids include fluid orifices 135; and in baffle 331, the drainage voids include recesses 336. The total cross-sectional area of ​​all drainage voids and the total cross-sectional area of ​​the baffles are perpendicular to the central axis of the baffles (e.g., the central axis A of baffle 331). 331 ) is determined in a plane oriented in the direction of the baffle plate 331 and can be calculated using techniques known in the art. For example, for a circular, disk-shaped baffle plate 331, the baffle plate 331 is perpendicular to its central axis A. 331 The total cross-sectional area in the oriented plane is the radius R 331 The area of ​​the circle (ie, the total cross-sectional area of ​​the baffle 331 is equal to π*(R 331 ) 2 ); and the total cross-sectional area of ​​all drainage voids in the baffle 331 is the sum of the cross-sectional areas of each recess 336. Without being limited to this or any particular theory, the greater the drainage ratio, the larger the total size of the drainage voids in the baffle relative to the total size of the baffle, and the greater the ease with which liquid contaminants can drain through the baffle. Embodiments of the baffle 331 described herein and including the recess 336 generally provide a greater drainage ratio than embodiments of baffles 131 of similar dimensions that include fluid orifices 135. In particular, the embodiments of the baffle 331 described herein have a drainage ratio between 0.10 and 0.50, more specifically between 0.20 and 0.45, and even more specifically between 0.25 and 0.35. Fig. 22 In the embodiment of the baffle 331 shown in FIG. , the discharge ratio is 0.31.

[0141] The extent and rate at which liquid contaminants (e.g., liquid contaminants 15) drain through drainage voids (e.g., recesses 336 in baffle 331) in a baffle of a baffle assembly (e.g., baffle assembly 330) is also affected by the horizontal distance along the upper surface of the baffle (e.g., upper surface 332a) that the liquid contaminants must travel in order to reach the drainage voids in each axially adjacent, consecutive baffle. Without being limited by this or any particular theory, the shorter the horizontal distance along the upper surface of each baffle that the liquid contaminants must travel in order to reach the drainage voids, the less tortuous the path for draining the liquid contaminants and the greater the extent and rate at which the liquid contaminants are drained through the baffle assembly. As previously described, in the embodiment of baffle 331, the concave recesses 336 define drainage voids for the liquid contaminants 15. For concave recesses 336 of the same size, the angular spacing of the recesses 336 in axially adjacent baffles 331 defines the horizontal distance that liquid contaminants 15 must travel in order to reach the concave recesses 336 in each axially adjacent successive baffle 331. Thus, the greater the angular spacing of the concave recesses 336 in axially adjacent baffles 331, the greater the horizontal distance that liquid contaminants 15 must travel in order to reach the concave recesses 336 in each axially adjacent successive baffle 331. In the embodiments of baffles 331 described herein, the concave recesses 336 in axially adjacent baffles 331 are spaced at 45° angular intervals, thereby providing the potential for increased extent and rate of liquid contaminant drainage compared to baffle embodiments having similarly sized and shaped baffles spaced at more than 45° angular intervals in axially adjacent baffles.

[0142] As previously described, the conduit 121 cools the baffle 331 via direct sliding contact with the baffle 331, and the unconditioned fluid sample 13 is cooled as it flows through the baffle 331 within the conduit 121, thereby promoting the agglomeration of the liquid contaminants 15 along the inner surface 123 of the conduit 121 and on the surfaces 332a, 332b, 333 of the baffle 331. Since the baffle 331 is cooled via contact with the conduit 121 along the surfaces 333, 123, each baffle 331 has a generally radially outer surface 333 moving radially inwardly from the central axis A. 331 In other words, during sampling operations, the radially outer portion of the baffle 331 generally has a lower temperature than the radially inner portion of the baffle 331. By positioning the recess 336 along the radially outer surface 333 of the baffle 331, the unconditioned fluid sample 13 is generally forced along the relatively cool radially outer portion of the baffle 331 and along the relatively cool inner surface 123 of the conduit 121, which provides the potential for faster and more efficient cooling of the unconditioned fluid sample 13 compared to a baffle that directs the unconditioned fluid sample (e.g., the unconditioned fluid sample 13) toward the radially inner portion of the baffle.

[0143] In the above-described embodiment of the baffle assembly 330, each baffle 331 includes two concave recesses 336 spaced 180° apart and three pairs of cable holes 334, wherein each pair of holes 334 is spaced 180° apart. However, in other embodiments, a different number of cable holes (e.g., holes 334) and / or recesses (e.g., concave recesses 336) may be provided. For example, referring now to Fig.25 and Fig.26 , which shows an embodiment of a baffle 431 that can be used to replace one or more baffles 331 in the baffle assembly 330. In this embodiment, the baffle 431 is substantially the same as the previously described baffle 331, except that the baffle 431 includes a pair of cable holes (instead of three pairs of cable holes) and a concave fluid flow recess (instead of two concave recesses). More specifically, the baffle 431 is a circular, flat disk or plate having: a planar upper surface 432a; a planar lower surface 432b oriented parallel to the surface 432a; a radially outward convex cylindrical surface 433 extending between the surfaces 432a, 432b; a plurality of cable holes 334; and a curved concave recess 336 disposed along the outer surface 433. The holes 334 and the concave recess 336 are the same as described above with respect to the baffle 331. As Fig.25 As shown in , the pair of holes 334 are diametrically opposed and angularly spaced 180° apart, and the concave recess 336 is circumferentially disposed between the holes 334 and angularly spaced 90° apart from each hole 334 .

[0144] The baffle 431 has a central axis A oriented perpendicular to the surfaces 432a, 432b and passing through the geometric centers of the surfaces 432a, 432b. 431 The cable hole 334 is axially (relative to the axis A) from the upper surface 432a through the baffle 431. 431 ) extends to the lower surface 432b, and the recess 336 is axially (relative to the axis A) from the upper surface 432a through the baffle 431 331 ) extends to the lower surface 432b.

[0145] The baffle 431 has a 431 The outer radius R measured radially from the outer cylindrical surface 433 431 and a thickness T measured axially between surfaces 432a, 432b 431 Radius R 431 With catheter 121 ( Figure 6 ) inner radius R 123 The same as or slightly smaller (for example, smaller than the inner radius R of the conduit 121) 123Thus, when the baffles 431 are disposed within the conduit 121, the cylindrical outer surface 433 of each baffle 431 slidably engages the cylindrical inner surface 123 of the conduit 121. The thickness T of each baffle 431 is 431 Preferably, it is about 1 / 16 inch to about 1 / 4 inch. In this embodiment, the outer radius R 431 1.13 inches, thickness T 431 is 0.125 inches. A plurality of baffles 431 are mounted on the cable 340, wherein the central axis A 431 Coaxially aligned, a pair of holes 334 in each baffle 431 are coaxially aligned, and in a top view, the recesses 336 in each pair of axially adjacent baffles 431 are angularly spaced 180° apart.

[0146] In top view, each hole 334 is arranged perpendicular to the axis A. 431 The same radius R measured to the center of hole 334 334 In this embodiment, the cable hole 334 is positioned close to the central axis A of the baffle 331. 431 In particular, the radius R of each hole 334 is 334 Preferably less than or equal to the radius R 431 50%, more preferably the radius R 431 In this embodiment, the radius R of each hole 334 is 334 is 0.375 inches. In addition, each hole 334 has the same diameter D as previously described. 334 , and is sized to receive cable 340 .

[0147] The baffles 431 are mounted on the cable 340, wherein each baffle 431 is oriented so that its recess 336 is coaxially aligned with respect to each axially adjacent baffle 431 about the axis A in a top view. 431 angularly spaced 180° apart. The linear portions 341, 342 of the cable 340 extend through a pair of aligned holes 334 in each baffle 431. Due to the alternating arrangement of the concave recesses 336 spaced angularly 180° apart, in a top view, the concave recesses 336 in each baffle 431 completely overlap and are blocked by each axially adjacent baffle 431, thereby defining a tortuous fluid flow path. With the baffles 431 mounted to the cables 430 to form a baffle assembly, the baffle assembly is mounted in the conduit 121 in the same manner as the baffle assembly 330 described previously. In addition, the baffles 431 function within the separator in substantially the same manner as the baffles 331 described previously.

[0148] In this embodiment, baffle 431 including a single relatively large concave recess 336 has a drainage ratio of about 0.44, which is greater than the drainage ratio of 0.31 for previously described baffle 331, indicating that baffle 431 may provide enhanced drainage of liquid contaminants 15 compared to baffle 331. However, the recesses 336 in axially adjacent baffles 431 are spaced angularly at 180° intervals, while the recesses 336 in axially adjacent baffles 331 are spaced angularly at 45° intervals, and thus, the horizontal distance that the liquid contaminants 15 must travel along each baffle 431 in order to reach the recesses 336 in each of the consecutive axially adjacent baffles 331, 431 is greater than the horizontal distance that the liquid contaminants 15 must travel along each baffle 331. The net effect of the tradeoff between drainage ratio and horizontal travel distance of liquid contaminants 15 between baffles 331 , 431 is that embodiments of baffle 331 provide the potential for enhanced drainage, enhanced drainage efficiency, and enhanced drainage flow rate compared to similarly sized embodiments of baffle 431 .

[0149] The embodiments described herein provide the potential for several improvements to existing sampling and conditioning devices. For example, embodiments of fluid regulators (e.g., fluid regulators 100, 200) described herein that employ a closed-loop cooling system (e.g., a recirculating cooling medium 153) can operate using a variety of different cooling fluids 153, including but not limited to air, water, gas, and Freon. As another example, embodiments of flexible baffle assemblies (e.g., baffle assembly 130) described herein can be used in applications where overhead clearance is limited. Still further, embodiments of the fluid regulators described herein provide the potential for enhanced cooling efficiency compared to some conventional fluid regulators of similar size and capacity. In particular, the embodiments described herein allow sample flows of up to about 12 liters per minute, with a reduction in cooling fluid volume flow of about 30% (30 CFM of cooling air versus 40 CFM of cooling air for the same sample flow).

[0150] Although some of the embodiments shown and described herein are discussed in the context of conditioning a decoking fluid sample from a hydrocarbon cracking operation to determine ethylene and / or propylene yields, the embodiments described herein may be used to condition other fluid samples in general. In particular, embodiments of the conditioner 100 may be used in situations where high moisture content, heavy hydrocarbons, particulate matter, and / or combinations thereof may be present in an unconditioned fluid sample and need to be removed prior to analysis. For example, the embodiments described herein may be used to remove "green oil" from a recycle gas or on a furnace decoking header to remove water and heavy particulates.

[0151] Although preferred embodiments have been shown and described, modifications may be made thereto by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope or teachings herein. The embodiments described herein are exemplary and non-restrictive. Many variations and modifications of the systems, devices, and processes described herein are possible and within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the relative sizes of the various parts, the materials used to make the various parts, and other parameters may vary. Thus, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described herein, but is only limited by the appended claims, the scope of which should include all equivalents of the subject matter of the claims. Unless otherwise expressly stated, the steps in the method claims may be performed in any order. References to identifiers such as (a), (b), (c) or (1), (2), (3) before the steps in the method claims are not intended to nor specify a specific order of the steps, but are used to simplify subsequent references to these steps.

Claims

1. A distillation detector, comprising: a conduit having a central axis; A baffle assembly disposed in the conduit, wherein the baffle assembly comprises a plurality of axially spaced baffles positioned in an overlapping stack within the conduit, wherein each baffle has a central axis and a radially outer surface, wherein the radially outer surface of each baffle is disposed at a radius R measured radially from the central axis of the baffle. b A convex cylindrical surface at ; Each baffle comprises: a first recess disposed along the radially outer surface of the baffle and extending axially through the baffle, wherein the first recess of each baffle is defined by a concave cylindrical surface, wherein the first recess of each baffle has a maximum radial depth D extending from a portion disposed at the radius R relative to the central axis of the baffle; b The maximum radial depth D is obtained by radially measuring the projection of the convex cylindrical surface of the baffle onto the concave cylindrical surface of the baffle; The maximum radial depth D of the first recess of each baffle is less than the radius R of the corresponding baffle. b 33%; wherein the plurality of axially spaced baffles are arranged in a spiral arrangement, wherein the first recess of each baffle is angularly spaced about the central axis of the conduit relative to the first recess of each axially adjacent baffle, and each baffle partially overlaps the first recess of each axially adjacent baffle in a top view along the central axis of the conduit, such that the first recesses of the plurality of axially spaced baffles define a spiral flow path along an outer periphery of the baffle assembly; A plurality of cooling conduits are mounted to the conduit and positioned radially adjacent to the conduit, wherein the cooling conduits are configured to cool the conduit and the baffle.

2. The distillation probe according to claim 1, further comprising a flexible cable, wherein Each baffle includes a first cable hole extending axially through the baffle; and the flexible cable extends through the first cable hole in each baffle.

3. The distillation probe according to claim 2, wherein: Each baffle includes a second cable hole that extends axially through the baffle, wherein the second cable hole is angularly spaced 180° from the first cable hole around the central axis of the baffle, and wherein the flexible cable extends axially through the first cable hole and the second cable hole of each baffle.

4. The distillation probe according to claim 3, wherein: Each baffle includes: a third cable hole extending axially through the baffle; A fourth cable bore extends axially through the baffle, wherein the fourth cable bore is angularly spaced 180° from the third cable bore about the central axis of the baffle.

5. The distillation probe according to claim 4, wherein: The third cable hole and the fourth cable hole are angularly spaced apart from the first cable hole and the second cable hole, respectively, at 45° about the central axis of the baffle.

6. The distillation probe according to claim 2, wherein: The first cable hole of each baffle is arranged at a radius R measured radially from the central axis of the baffle. c Department; The radius R of each first cable hole is c Less than or equal to the radius R b 50% of.

7. The distillation probe according to claim 1, wherein: The concave cylindrical surface extends from a first end that intersects the convex cylindrical surface of the radially outer surface of the baffle to a second end that intersects the convex cylindrical surface of the radially outer surface of the baffle.

8. The distillation probe according to claim 7, wherein: The first end of each first recess is angularly spaced from the second end of the first recess about the central axis of the corresponding baffle at an angle α that is greater than or equal to 60° and less than or equal to 120°.

9. The distillation probe according to claim 7, wherein: The concave cylindrical surface defining the first recess of each baffle has a radius of curvature R s , the radius of curvature R s smaller than the radius R of the convex cylindrical surface of the corresponding baffle b 75% of.

10. The distillation probe according to claim 1, wherein: Each baffle further includes a second recess disposed along the radially outer surface of the baffle and angularly spaced from the first recess of the baffle about the central axis of the baffle.

11. The distillation probe according to claim 1, wherein: Each cooling conduit is a spiral cooling coil disposed about the conduit.

12. The distillation probe according to claim 1, wherein: The radially outer surface of each baffle slidingly engages the inner surface of the conduit.

13. A fluid sampling system, comprising: a fluid separator assembly comprising a conduit and a baffle assembly disposed in the conduit, wherein the conduit has a central axis, wherein the baffle assembly comprises a plurality of axially spaced baffles positioned in an overlapping stack within the conduit; wherein each baffle is a circular, flat disk having a central axis, a planar upper surface, a planar lower surface, a radially outer convex cylindrical surface, and a concave fluid flow recess, wherein the planar upper surface is oriented perpendicular to the central axis of the baffle, the planar lower surface is oriented perpendicular to the central axis of the baffle, the radially outer convex cylindrical surface extends axially from the planar upper surface to the planar lower surface, the concave fluid flow recess is disposed along the radially outer convex cylindrical surface, the concave fluid flow recess of each baffle being defined by a concave cylindrical surface extending from the radially outer convex cylindrical surface, wherein the radially outer convex cylindrical surface of each baffle is disposed at a radius R measured radially from the central axis of the baffle b Department; wherein the concave fluid flow recess of each baffle has a maximum radial depth D, measured from a portion of the concave fluid flow recess disposed at a radius R relative to the central axis of the baffle. b The maximum radial depth D is obtained by radially measuring the projection of the radially outer convex cylindrical surface of the baffle onto the concave cylindrical surface of the baffle; The maximum radial depth D of the concave fluid flow recess of each baffle is less than the radius R of the corresponding baffle. b 33%; wherein the plurality of axially spaced baffles are arranged in a spiral arrangement, wherein the concave fluid flow recess of each baffle is angularly spaced about the central axis of the conduit relative to the concave fluid flow recess of each axially adjacent baffle, and each baffle partially overlaps the concave fluid flow recess of each axially adjacent baffle in a top view along the central axis of the conduit, such that the concave fluid flow recesses of the plurality of axially spaced baffles define a spiral flow path along an outer periphery of the baffle assembly; A plurality of cooling conduits are mounted to the conduit and positioned radially adjacent to the conduit, wherein the cooling conduits are configured to cool the fluid separator assembly.

14. The system according to claim 13, wherein: The radially outer convex cylindrical surface of each baffle slidingly engages the inner cylindrical surface of the conduit.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein: The baffle assembly includes a flexible cable, wherein each baffle includes a plurality of cable holes extending axially from the planar upper surface to the planar lower surface, and wherein the flexible cable extends through at least one of the plurality of cable holes in each baffle.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein: The plurality of cooling conduits are circumferentially spaced apart and extend axially along the conduit of the fluid separator assembly.

17. The system of claim 13, wherein: Each cable hole is arranged at a radius R measured radially from the central axis of the corresponding baffle. c Department; The radius R of each cable hole is c Less than or equal to the radius R b 50% of.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein: The concave cylindrical surface defining each concave fluid flow recess has a radius of curvature R s , the radius of curvature R s smaller than the radius R of the radially outer convex cylindrical surface of the corresponding baffle b 75% of.

Images