Solid particle sampling device comprising at least one volumetric valve

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (10) for sampling solid particles from a closed chamber (12), the sampling device (10) comprising a tubular body (18) with a sampling head (16) configured to sample a volume of solid particles (14) from the chamber under the action of gravity, the device comprising a tubular tube (52) attached to the tubular body (18) and forming a non-zero angle with the tubular body (18), the tubular body (18) comprises a deflector (50) for deflecting the solid particles (14) into the tubular tube (52). Further, the sampling device (10) comprises a volume valve for removing solid particles downstream of the tubular tube (52). The invention also relates to a method for sampling solid particles and to a method for improving a sampling device (10).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of sampling of solid particles from sealed enclosures such as silos, hoppers, reactors, regenerators or adsorbers.

[0002] More specifically, the invention relates to a sampling device which allows for the gravimetric sampling of solid particles in the form of granules, extrudates, spheres, such as particles for catalysts or adsorbents, for example.

[0003] Sampling of solids is often necessary when particulate solids are fed into enclosures operating under pressure and / or elevated temperature, or when they are arranged in enclosures and stored or transported by gravity.

[0004] The main purpose of sampling is to examine the mechanical or physicochemical properties of solid particles, to detect impurities that may have deposited on their surface, or to monitor mass changes of solids in storage or in motion.

[0005] It makes it possible, in particular, to understand the causes of possible malfunctions, to examine the storage behavior of solid particles over time or to predict the maximum operating time for solid particles and thus to repair or predict possible problems.

[0006] In the case of refineries using solid particles, it can also facilitate the monitoring of equipment including, for example, catalytic reactors, thereby enabling their operation to be optimized. Background Art

[0007] For sampling solids from enclosures, document US Pat. No. 4,009,618 discloses in particular a sampling device which allows taking a sample of solid material from a sealed enclosure, such as a reactor allowing catalytic cracking of hydrocarbons in the presence of a catalyst.

[0008] As described in more detail in this document, sampling is performed using a sampling head that enters the enclosure and is carried by the body of the device. The sampling head comprises a container having an upper groove and a lower groove, and two slotted rotating disks that are driven in rotation by shafts controlled by any known means. During a first rotation of the disks, the solid sample enters the container through the upper groove controlled by one of the disks, while the other disk seals the lower groove. After another rotation of the disks, the upper groove is sealed by one of the disks, while the other disk avoids the lower groove, thereby delivering the solid sample to the pipeline.

[0009] Patent application FR-3,007,137 (US-9,464,966) also relates to a solid particle sampling device. In this patent application, the solid particles collected by the sampling head are conveyed to the inlet of a first valve via a pipe. Opening the first valve allows the solid particles to be fed into the airlock chamber. An exhaust valve connected to the airlock chamber allows the airlock chamber to be purged. Thus, the first valve remains closed and the exhaust valve is opened and then closed after the purging is completed. Finally, another valve connected to the airlock chamber allows the solid particles contained in the airlock chamber to be discharged.

[0010] The valves used are usually tapered ball valves, spherical ball valves or parallel slide gate valves with replacement rings.

[0011] However, there are some disadvantages to sampling arrangements using these valves.

[0012] The valve will wear prematurely. In fact, the solid particles, once removed from the enclosure, are stored in the body of the device and then, under the action of gravity, in the direction of the solid particles flow, at the valve inlet upstream and downstream of the airlock chamber and then recovered into an external container. The solid particles removed from the enclosure are usually at high temperature (e.g. between 150° and 550°C depending on the application). Therefore, they are stored at the valve inlet at high temperature.

[0013] During the gradual opening of the valve, solid particles at high temperatures rub against the surface of the valve ball, which moves the valve to open, before being able to flow through the open valve into the airlock or external container under the action of gravity. The friction of solid particles against the ball surface produces abrasive wear of the ball and / or valve seat, and the ball / valve seat contact provides the valve seal. This wear requires regular replacement of the ball and / or valve seat, or the entire valve, resulting in additional operating costs.

[0014] In addition, such wear may also cause leakage of the fluid contained in the enclosure, especially when the fluid is a gas, because gas tightness is more difficult to provide than liquid tightness. These leaks may also cause the enclosure to depressurize when the enclosure is under pressure.

[0015] In order to overcome this wear, known solutions mainly consist in surface treatment of the ball and / or the valve seat of the non-displacement valve used, in order to increase the wear resistance of these parts.

[0016] Furthermore, the valves used are more sensitive to valve operation or sequencing errors. Indeed, a poor sequencing error or operating error may cause fluids (especially gases) to escape from the enclosure and, when the enclosure is under pressure, this may also lead to its depressurization.

[0017] The object of the present invention is to overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages by means of a solid particle sampling device using at least one capacity valve. Summary of the invention

[0018] The present invention relates to a device for sampling solid particles from a sealed enclosure, the sampling device comprising a tubular body with a sampling head, the sampling head being configured for gravity sampling of a predetermined volume of solid particles from the sealed enclosure, the sampling device comprising a tubular tube attached to the tubular body and forming a non-zero angle with the tubular body, the tubular body comprising a deflector for deflecting solid particles in the tubular tube. In addition, the sampling device comprises a first capacity valve for discharging solid particles, the first capacity valve being located downstream of the tubular tube along the flow direction of solid particles in the sampling device.

[0019] Preferably, the capacity volume of the first capacity valve is greater than the predetermined volume, and the capacity volume of the first capacity valve is preferably at least 1.05 times the predetermined volume, and more preferably at least 1.15 times the predetermined volume.

[0020] Advantageously, the first capacity valve comprises a single valve seat and a capacity ball, the single valve seat being located upstream of the capacity ball.

[0021] Alternatively, the first capacity valve includes a first valve seat, a second valve seat, and a capacity ball, the first valve seat is located upstream of the capacity ball, and the second valve seat is located downstream of the capacity ball.

[0022] Preferably, the first capacity valve is selected from a capacity ball valve, a capacity conical ball valve or a capacity cylindrical ball valve.

[0023] According to a variant of the invention, the sampling device comprises a second valve downstream of the tubular pipe for discharging solid particles, the second valve being upstream or downstream of the first capacity valve, the first capacity valve and the second valve being connected to each other directly or through an airlock.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the sampling device includes an interlock key system for preventing the first capacity valve and the second valve from being operated simultaneously.

[0025] Preferably, the airlock is connected to a third valve for discharging fluid contained in the predetermined volume.

[0026] Advantageously, the second valve is a second capacity valve, the first capacity valve and the second capacity valve being preferably identical.

[0027] The present invention also relates to a system comprising a sealed enclosure containing solid particles and a solid particle sampling device as described above, the system being intended for use in one of the following applications: catalyst sampling in a petroleum refining unit, in a gas or biomass processing plant, in a renewable fuel production unit, in a reforming unit, in a Fischer-Tropsch unit, or in a unit for dehydrating ethanol to olefins.

[0028] The present invention also relates to a method for sampling solid particles from a sealed enclosure using the sampling device as described above, wherein at least the following steps are performed:

[0029] - removing a predetermined volume comprising solid particles from the sealed enclosure via a sampling head,

[0030] - delivering the removed predetermined volume to the capacity of the first capacity valve in the sampling position,

[0031] - actuating the first volume valve to expel a predetermined volume including solid particles in the first volume valve, and once the predetermined volume is expelled, repositioning the first volume valve to a sampling position.

[0032] Preferably, for the method, when the first capacity valve is located upstream of the second capacity valve, and the sampling device comprises an airlock chamber and a third valve as described above, at least the following steps are performed:

[0033] - removing a predetermined volume comprising solid particles from the sealed enclosure via a sampling head,

[0034] - delivering the removed predetermined volume to the capacity of the first capacity valve in the sampling position,

[0035] - actuating the first volumetric valve to discharge a predetermined volume into the airlock or directly into the second volumetric valve in the sampling position and repositioning the first volumetric valve to the sampling position once the predetermined volume has been discharged,

[0036] - when discharging the predetermined volume into the airlock, discharging the fluid contained in the predetermined volume, preferably through a third valve, which is opened and subsequently closed once the fluid has been discharged,

[0037] - actuating the second volumetric valve to discharge the solid particles contained in the predetermined volume into the container and repositioning the second volumetric valve to the sampling position once the solid particles have been discharged.

[0038] The present invention also relates to a method for improving a device for sampling solid particles from a sealed enclosure, the sampling device comprising a tubular body with a sampling head, the sampling head being configured to gravity sample a predetermined volume of solid particles from the sealed enclosure, the sampling device comprising a tubular tube attached to the body and forming a non-zero angle with the body, the body comprising a deflector for deflecting solid particles in the tubular tube, the sampling device comprising at least one valve located downstream of the tubular tube, the method comprising the following steps: replacing at least one valve located downstream of the tubular tube with a capacity valve to obtain the sampling device as described above. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] Other characteristics and advantages of the device, system and method according to the invention will become clear on reading the following description of embodiments given by way of non-limiting example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0040] - Figure 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of a sampling device according to an embodiment of the present invention,

[0041] - Figure 2 The sampling device according to the present invention is Figure 1 End view in the direction of arrow A,

[0042] - Figure 3 is a perspective view of a closing device of a sampling device according to an embodiment of the present invention,

[0043] - Figure 4 A first type of capacity valve of a sampling device according to the invention is shown,

[0044] - Figure 5 A second type of capacity valve of the sampling device according to the invention is shown,

[0045] - Figure 6 A first embodiment of a valve assembly of a sampling device according to the present invention is shown.

[0046] - Figure 7 A second embodiment of the valve assembly of the sampling device according to the present invention is shown.

[0047] - Figure 8 A third embodiment of the valve assembly of the sampling device according to the present invention is shown.

[0048] - Fig. 9 A fourth embodiment of a valve assembly of a sampling device according to the present invention is shown, and

[0049] - Fig.10 A fifth embodiment of a valve assembly of a sampling device according to the present invention is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0050] The terms "top", "bottom", "upper", "lower", "vertical", and "horizontal" refer to a device or system mounted on a sealed enclosure in a working position.

[0051] The terms "upstream" and "downstream" refer to the direction of flow of solid particles in the sampling device in the working position when the sampling device is mounted on a sealed enclosure.

[0052] In the present specification, a capacity valve is a valve comprising a ball comprising a capacity (hollow volume, also called a cavity), suitable for receiving an amount of product (e.g. solid particles, with or without fluid) corresponding to its volume, the ball being suitable for moving between at least two positions, a first position referred to as the "sampling position", in which the product can be introduced into the capacity, and a second position referred to as the "discharge position", in which the product can be discharged from the capacity, for example under the action of gravity.

[0053] When the volume valve operates under the action of gravity, the sampling position is characterized by the volume being positioned so that the product enters directly into the volume forming a collection container, and the discharge position is characterized by the volume being positioned so that the product is discharged from the volume under the action of gravity (in this position, it is located on the lower part of the ball).

[0054] Thus, unlike ball valves in general and valves of the prior art in particular, capacity valves are not designed in a situation where the product can flow freely from the inlet to the outlet. In fact, for these prior art valves (non-capacity valves), in which the ball has no capacity, the product is blocked at the inlet, upstream of the ball. When the valve is open (ball displacement), the inlet is connected to the outlet and the product can flow freely through and out of the valve: in the open position, the valve allows a straight-through passage of the product. On the other hand, capacity valves have a sampling position, in which the product flows into the capacity of the ball (in this case, the ball is connected to the product inlet); and a discharge position, in which the product contained in the ball capacity can flow out (in this case, the ball is connected to the product outlet). Thus, for this valve type, there is no so-called "straight-through" position, in which the valve inlet and outlet are directly connected. For the same reason, capacity valves do not have so-called "open" or "closed" positions. The absence of a straight-through (or open) position makes it possible to limit the risk of leakage of fluids (especially gases).

[0055] In the remainder of the specification, a valve referred to as "non-displacement type" is not a displacement valve in the sense of the above definition: it does not therefore have a ball comprising the capability to collect solid particles, but it has a closed position in which solid particles are blocked upstream and an open straight-through position in which solid particles can flow from upstream of the valve through the ball to downstream.

[0056] The invention relates to a device for sampling solid particles from a sealed enclosure. The solid particles may be, for example, catalysts in a reactor or wheat grains in a silo. The solid particles may be granules, extrudates or pellets (minerals, sand, grains) or any form capable of gravity flow.

[0057] The sealed enclosure may be a silo, a hopper, a reactor (eg, a fixed bed or continuous bed catalytic reactor), a regenerator, or an adsorber. The enclosure may be under pressure or atmospheric pressure.

[0058] The sampling device is intended to be used while the enclosure is in motion or stationary.

[0059] The sampling device comprises a tubular body with a sampling head, which is configured for gravity sampling of a predetermined volume of solid particles from a sealed enclosure. In order to remove the predetermined volume of solid particles by gravity, the tubular body and the sampling head are inclined so that the solid particles naturally fall into the tubular body under the action of their gravity. The inclination of the tubular body depends on the type of solid particles, their shape, density, and may also depend on the fluid (gas or liquid) with which they are combined, and may or may not contribute to the entrainment of solid particles in the tubular body. Preferably, the tubular body forms an angle between 30° and 90° with the horizontal plane so as to facilitate the gravitational movement of the solid particles.

[0060] The sampling head enters the interior of the sealed enclosure. The sampling head advantageously operates according to the baffle principle, which allows a determined amount (predetermined volume) of solid particles to be taken out and blocks the flow of larger amounts.

[0061] The sampling head may advantageously comprise a cylindrical housing, for example circular, whose longitudinal axis coincides with the longitudinal axis of the body, which is closed at the top by a cover and at the bottom by a bottom. The cover and the bottom are each provided with at least one recess in the form of an angular sector.

[0062] The sampling head can advantageously comprise a solid particle collecting groove (in a sealed enclosure), a collected solid particle transfer groove and an angular displacement shutter device for the groove, the shutter device being controlled by a control device. The shutter device can in particular comprise a cup provided with an axial hollow portion, which extends through the cup so as to be able to collect solid particles when the axial hollow portion is opposite to the collecting groove, or to be able to transfer solid particles when the axial hollow portion is opposite to the transfer groove. The transfer groove and the collecting groove are angularly offset so that the axial hollow portion is opposite to one or the other of the collecting groove and the transfer groove, and so that no solid particles can be transferred while other particles are being collected at the same time. Therefore, the angular offset must correspond at least to the maximum width of the groove. By means of a sufficient angular offset, a determined volume of solid particles can be taken out, which facilitates the discharge of the solid particles on the one hand and the analysis of the solid particles thus collected on the other hand.

[0063] The control means may comprise a lever connected to the shutter means and / or limiting means, such as a stop, for limiting the angular displacement of the control means.

[0064] The rod may be connected to an operating lever that cooperates with the stop.

[0065] The lever may include torsion spring means for supporting the lever circumferentially against one of the stops.

[0066] The control device may comprise a lever connected to the shutter device and a gear motor with two directions of rotation, the gear motor being equipped with end position detection means for limiting the unloaded angular displacement of the shutter device, or any other mechanical actuator (pneumatic, hydraulic, electric).

[0067] Alternatively, the control means may comprise a rod connected to the shutter means and a cam controlled by a pneumatic cylinder.

[0068] According to another alternative, the control means may comprise a lever connected to the shutter means and carrying a pinion cooperating with a rack carried by the cylinder.

[0069] The tubular body may include an upper tubular extension adapted to be partially received within the enclosure and supporting a sampling head for removing solid particles from the enclosure.

[0070] The tubular body may also comprise a lower tubular extension containing various means for controlling the rotation of the element, in particular the cup, thereby allowing the collection of a solid particle sample.

[0071] Preferably, the tubular body is intended to be reversibly mounted on a conduit of the enclosure for easy removal, replacement or inspection.

[0072] The tubular body of the sampling device may, for example, be provided with a fixing flange for assembly to a flange of an enclosure in which it is located.

[0073] In addition, the sampling device comprises a tubular tube attached to the tubular body, the tubular tube forming a non-zero angle with the tubular body, the tubular body comprising a deflector for deflecting solid particles in the tubular tube. The tubular tube is advantageously located downstream of the tubular body in the sampling device along the flow direction of the solid particles. Therefore, the solid particles flow from the tubular body into the tubular tube under the action of gravity after being deflected by the deflector. Advantageously, the tubular tube has an angle between 10° and 90°, preferably between 20° and 70°, more preferably between 30° and 60°, and more preferably between 40° and 50° relative to the axis of the tubular body.

[0074] Preferably, the lower tubular extension may include a deflector housed and secured therein for driving sampled solid particles from the tubular body towards the tubular tube.

[0075] The deflector may advantageously carry a deflection surface on which the solid particles are deflected, the deflection surface forming an angle with respect to the vertical of between 0° and 60°, preferably between 5° and 45°, more preferably between 10° and 30°.

[0076] Furthermore, the sampling device comprises a first capacity valve (at least one first capacity valve, preferably several capacity valves, in particular two capacity valves) for discharging the solid particles, the first capacity valve (or the plurality of capacity valves) being located downstream of the tubular tube in the direction of flow of the solid particles in the sampling device. By "located downstream of the tubular tube" or "downstream of the tubular tube" it is meant that the valve in question is connected to the downstream end of the tubular tube (the end of the tubular tube not attached to the tubular body) either directly (in this case the valve is attached to this downstream end of the tubular tube) or indirectly (by means of a device providing a connection between the downstream end of the tubular tube and the valve).

[0077] In practice, when the first capacity valve is in the sampling position, the solid particles collected by the sampling head fall under the action of gravity into the cavity of the ball (also called capacity) of the first capacity valve. They are not stored upstream of the ball, on the surface of the ball that provides the sealing of the valve on its seat. When the capacity valve is subsequently moved to the discharge position, the solid particles are discharged. Given that the solid particles are located in the cavity of the ball and not on the sealing surface of the ball, the ball and the seat of the valve (which provides the valve seal) are less susceptible to wear during operation of the ball. Therefore, the use of a capacity valve makes it possible to limit the wear of the ball and the seat, limiting the risk of leakage, in particular when the enclosure is under pressure of a liquid or gas, and therefore limiting the maintenance of this material (replacement of the ball and / or the entire valve).

[0078] Furthermore, since the capacity valve is designed with no straight-through position, using the first capacity valve on the sampling device makes it possible to prevent leakage to the atmosphere due to improper operation of the valve, thereby improving the safety of the sampling device.

[0079] Advantageously, the volume of the capacity of the first capacity valve (or multiple capacity valves) may be greater than the predetermined volume (obtained in the sampling head). Thus, the sampled solid particles may be completely contained in the capacity, which prevents contact between the solid particles and the sealing surfaces of the ball and the valve seat when the valve is operated. Preferably, the volume of the capacity of the first capacity valve (or multiple capacity valves) is at least 1.05 times the predetermined volume, and preferably at least 1.15 times the predetermined volume. Thus, the capacity is large enough to accommodate the total volume of the sampled solid particles and prevent contact between the sampled solid particles and the sealing surfaces of the ball and / or the valve seat (or multiple valve seats if the valve has two valve seats). Premature wear of the valve is thus avoided.

[0080] According to a first variant of the invention, the first capacity valve (or multiple capacity valves) may include a single valve seat and a capacity ball, the single valve seat being located upstream of the capacity ball. The capacity ball thus has the ability to allow the collection and discharge of solid particles. By means of the single valve seat located upstream of the ball (i.e., on the side where the solid particles flow from the tubular body and then from the tubular tube), the impermeability of the valve to the gas and / or liquid contained in the enclosure is ensured and the pressure of the enclosure is maintained.

[0081] According to a second variant of the invention, the first capacity valve (or multiple capacity valves) may include a first valve seat, a second valve seat and a capacity ball, the first valve seat being located upstream of the capacity ball, and the second valve seat being located downstream of the capacity ball. Thus, the capacity of the capacity ball can accommodate solid particles collected from the sampling head. With the upstream and downstream double valve seats, the sealing of the valve is improved and the wear is minimized.

[0082] Advantageously, the first capacity valve (or capacity valves) may be selected from a capacity ball valve, a capacity conical ball valve, a capacity cylindrical ball valve or any similar capacity valve. These valve types are reliable and they minimize the risk of wear.

[0083] A volumetric ball valve is a valve whose ball is spherical and whose spherical ball constitutes the volume. This type of valve is able to optimize the amount of material with respect to pressure and / or temperature constraints.

[0084] A positive displacement tapered ball valve is a valve whose ball is tapered and whose tapered ball forms the volume. This type of valve is easier to manufacture than a positive displacement ball valve. It may be necessary to add a lubrication system or a polymer coating.

[0085] A capacity cylindrical ball valve is a valve whose ball is cylindrical and whose cylindrical ball constitutes the capacity. It is the easiest capacity valve to manufacture.

[0086] According to a preferred configuration of the present invention, the sampling device may include (at least) a second valve, which is located downstream of the tubular tube (directly or indirectly connected to the downstream end of the tubular tube) and is used to discharge solid particles from the sampling device. The second valve is located upstream or downstream of the first capacity valve.

[0087] “The second valve is located upstream or downstream of the first capacity valve” means that the second valve is directly or indirectly connected to the upstream end of the first capacity valve (in this case, the second valve is located between the downstream end of the tubular tube and the upstream end of the first capacity valve), or the second valve is directly or indirectly connected to the downstream end of the first capacity valve.

[0088] In other words, in the direction of flow of the solid particles in the sampling device, the solid particles can first flow through the first capacity valve and then through the second valve, or they can first flow through the second valve and then through the first capacity valve. However, more attention is paid to the use of the first solution (first through the first capacity valve). In fact, since the capacity valve allows protection from wear and improved sealing, it is advantageous that the upstream valve is the first capacity valve, which allows providing a better seal and avoiding the risk of decompression of the enclosure. In addition, the first valve through which the particles flow is the valve that is subjected to the highest temperature, which may lead to increased valve wear.

[0089] The first volumetric valve and the second valve can be connected to each other directly or through an airlock. The use of an airlock is of interest if it is desired to depressurize the sample before collecting the solid particles in a container at ambient pressure, or if it is desired to discharge gas or liquid contained in the sample together with the solid particles. Thus, with the aid of the airlock, a predetermined volume can be discharged.

[0090] An "airlock" is understood to be a hollow component, preferably tubular, suitable for containing a predetermined volume of solid particles.

[0091] The upstream valve, advantageously the first capacity valve, may be connected directly to the tubular tube.

[0092] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the sampling device may include an interlocking key system to prevent the simultaneous operation of the first volumetric valve and the second valve. In fact, if the second valve is a non-volume ball valve and is in the open position (i.e. in a position in which the inlet and outlet are directly connected), and if the enclosure is under pressure, the operation of the first volumetric valve may release the fluid trapped under pressure in the cavity volume, thus generating an accident.

[0093] According to an advantageous configuration of the invention, the airlock can be connected to a third valve to discharge a fluid contained in the predetermined volume. In practice, the enclosure (e.g., a reactor) can contain a fluid, often a gas, such as hydrogen, hydrocarbon gas, and / or nitrogen, in addition to the solid particles. Moreover, such fluids are often maintained at a pressure above atmospheric pressure (e.g., at least 5 bar, preferably at least 15 bar) and / or at an elevated temperature (at least 40° C.).

[0094] Prior to collecting the solid particles, the fluid is preferably depressurized and / or discharged to prevent toxic hazards to personnel and / or explosion hazards. The use of an airlock between the first capacity valve and the second valve (either upstream to downstream or downstream to upstream) allows the addition of a line for depressurizing and / or discharging the fluid (e.g., to a flare for combustion gases, or to a flushing system using an inert fluid). A third valve may then be placed on this line. Opening the third (non-capacity) valve allows the fluid to be discharged (and depressurized if necessary); closing the third valve allows the airlock to be isolated.

[0095] Preferably, the second valve may be a second capacity valve. Thus, the sampling device comprises two capacity valves, one directly connected (attached) to the tubular tube, thereby providing a seal with the enclosure, and the other directly or indirectly connected downstream via an airlock. Both capacity valves are used to discharge solid particles. The use of two consecutive capacity valves allows to limit the risk of leakage even more. It also allows the use of a pipeline to discharge the fluid contained in the predetermined volume sampled.

[0096] The second capacity valve may advantageously have the same characteristics as the first capacity valve. In other words:

[0097] - the volume of the capacity of the second capacity valve may be greater than the predetermined volume, preferably, the volume of the capacity of the second capacity valve is at least 1.05 times the predetermined volume, more preferably at least 1.15 times the predetermined volume,

[0098] - the second capacity valve may include a single valve seat and a capacity ball, the single valve seat being located upstream of the capacity ball,

[0099] - Alternatively, the second capacity valve may include a first valve seat, a second valve seat and a capacity ball, the first valve seat being located upstream of the capacity ball, the second valve seat being located downstream of the capacity ball,

[0100] The second displacement valve is selected from a displacement ball valve, a displacement conical ball valve or a displacement cylindrical ball valve.

[0101] The valve body, ball and valve seat of the capacity valve are made of materials suitable for the application, in particular suitable for the fluid, pressure and temperature present. In addition, the valve seat is made of a material with higher elastic strength and / or hardness than the material made of the ball and valve body to limit the wear of the valve seat.

[0102] Preferably, the ball and the valve seat may be subjected to a surface treatment in order to increase their resistance to friction and wear.

[0103] Preferably, the first and second capacity valves may be identical to simplify their design, logistics and maintenance, and to prevent the risk of mixing up the two valves during installation.

[0104] The invention also relates to a system comprising a sealed enclosure and a solid particle sampling device as described above, the sealed enclosure comprising solid particles. The system may be intended for use in one of the following applications: sampling of catalysts in a petroleum refining unit, a gas or biomass processing plant, a renewable fuel production unit, a reforming unit, a Fischer-Tropsch unit or a unit for dehydrating ethanol to olefins.

[0105] In addition, the present invention also relates to a method for sampling solid particles from a sealed enclosure using the sampling device as described above, wherein at least the following steps are performed:

[0106] - removing a predetermined volume comprising solid particles from the sealed enclosure through a sampling head (e.g. through a cup and a collecting and transferring groove),

[0107] - delivering the removed predetermined volume (comprising the removed solid particles and possibly fluid, in particular gas) to the capacity of the first capacity valve in the sampling position,

[0108] - actuating the first volume valve to expel a predetermined volume including solid particles in the first volume valve, and once the predetermined volume is expelled, repositioning the first volume valve to a sampling position.

[0109] Advantageously, when the device comprises a second capacity valve, wherein the first capacity valve is located (preferably attached to the tubular tube) upstream of the second capacity valve (in other words, the withdrawn solid particles first flow through the first capacity valve and then through the second capacity valve), the device optionally comprises an airlock chamber and a third valve as described above, at least the following steps may be performed:

[0110] - removing a predetermined volume comprising solid particles (and possibly also fluid, in particular gas) from the sealed enclosure by means of a sampling head (for example via a cup and a collecting and transfer recess),

[0111] - delivering the removed predetermined volume to the capacity of the first capacity valve in the sampling position,

[0112] - actuating the first volumetric valve to discharge a predetermined volume into the airlock (when the sampling device comprises an airlock) or directly into the second volumetric valve in the sampling position and repositioning the first volumetric valve to the sampling position once the predetermined volume has been discharged,

[0113] - when discharging the predetermined volume into the airlock, the fluid contained in the predetermined volume is preferably discharged through a first valve which is opened and which is subsequently closed once the fluid has been discharged, in order to eliminate the fluid and send it, for example, to a flare (in particular when it is hydrogen) or to depressurize it in order to return the airlock to ambient pressure before recovering the solid particles,

[0114] - actuating the second volumetric valve to discharge the solid particles contained in the predetermined volume into the container and repositioning the second volumetric valve to the sampling position once the solid particles have been discharged.

[0115] In the method implemented with the sampling device according to the invention, the collected solid particle sample is not stored upstream of the valve, which could result in abrasion of the valve seat and / or ball of the valve by friction with the solid particles during transfer. The sample is stored directly in the cavity of the ball of the volumetric valve, thereby preventing friction with the surfaces forming the seal when the valve is operated.

[0116] Capacity valves can be operated manually, pneumatically, electrically or automatically.

[0117] When the sampling device comprises a first volumetric valve attached to a tubular tube, followed by an airlock, a second non-volatometric valve at the outlet of the airlock for draining solid particles from the airlock by gravity, and a third non-volatometric valve for draining a fluid such as a gas, the order in which these valves are used may generally be as follows:

[0118] - In the standby position and during the collection of the sample in the sealed enclosure: the first volumetric valve is in the sampling position for collecting the sample in the cavity of the valve ball, and the second and third valves are closed. Compared to the prior art, the sample is not stored in the body of the device upstream of the first volumetric valve,

[0119] - in a second step, once the sample has been collected and stored in the chamber of the first volumetric valve, the latter is rotated 180° into the discharge position, the chamber turning downwards while the non-volumetric second and third valves remain closed, so that the sample falls by gravity into the airlock upstream of the closed non-volumetric second valve,

[0120] -The non-capacitive third valve is then opened and subsequently closed, allowing the fluid initially present in the volume to reach atmospheric pressure or the pressure of the flare system. Other variations can also be achieved by flushing with an inert fluid and adding 2 more valves to the fluid circuit,

[0121] - the sample is then located at atmospheric pressure upstream of a second non-volumetric valve,

[0122] - then open the non-volumetric second valve and collect the sample from the collection tank (container) by any means,

[0123] - The second valve closes and returns to the standby position: V1 is in a position to enable the collection of samples, the cavity of the shutter assembly turns upwards to the filling position, and V2 and V3 are closed.

[0124] When the fluid is not under pressure, the use of the third valve can be avoided.

[0125] When the sampling device comprises a first capacity valve attached to a tubular tube, followed by an airlock chamber, a second capacity valve downstream of the airlock chamber for discharging solid particles, and a line connected to the airlock chamber for discharging fluid (the line comprising a non-capacitive third valve), the order in which these valves are used can be as follows:

[0126] - in the standby position and during the collection of a sample in the sealed enclosure: the first volumetric valve is positioned for collecting the sample in the cavity of the ball of the first volumetric valve, the second valve is in the sampling position and the third valve is closed,

[0127] - Once the solid particles are removed from the enclosure, usually hot, they are stored in the tubular body of the device,

[0128] - They are subsequently transferred by gravity from the tubular body of the device into the cavity of the first volumetric valve which rotates 180° to discharge the sample into the airlock,

[0129] -The solid is then transferred and stored in the cavity of the ball of the second volumetric valve under the effect of gravity. In contrast to the prior art, the sample is not stored in an airlock upstream of the non-volume second valve in the closed position. This valve may be eroded when operating the valve,

[0130] - Then, the first displacement valve is kept in the discharge position, the non-displacement third valve is kept closed, and the second displacement valve is kept in the sampling position,

[0131] - The third valve is opened and then closed, allowing the fluid initially present in the volume to reach atmospheric pressure (thus performing a purge). Other variants can also be achieved by flushing with an inert fluid and adding more than 2 valves. The first volumetric valve is then kept in the discharge position and the non-volume third valve is kept closed,

[0132] - the sample is located in the cavity of the second volumetric valve at atmospheric pressure,

[0133] - The second volumetric valve is then rotated 180°, the sample is collected in any way into a collection tank (container), the first volumetric valve remains in the discharge position, and the third valve remains closed,

[0134] - The first and second capacity valves are then rotated 180° so that they are in the collecting position and the third valve remains in the closed position.

[0135] In this configuration, an airlock is not mandatory as the predetermined volume can fall directly into the cavity of the second capacity valve by gravity.

[0136] Furthermore, the use of a third valve can be avoided when the fluid is not under pressure.

[0137] The present invention also relates to a method for improving a device for sampling solid particles from a sealed enclosure. The sampling device includes a tubular body with a sampling head, the sampling head is configured to gravity sample a predetermined volume of solid particles from a sealed enclosure (usually a reforming reactor), the sampling device includes a tubular tube attached to the body and forming a non-zero angle with the tubular body, the tubular body includes a deflector for deflecting solid particles in the tubular tube, and the sampling device includes at least one valve located downstream of the tubular tube. The improved method includes the following steps: wherein at least one valve (preferably two valves) located downstream of the tubular tube (directly or indirectly connected to the downstream end of the tubular tube) is replaced with a capacity valve to obtain a sampling device according to the present invention.

[0138] Preferably, the initial sampling device (before improvement) comprises a first valve attached to the pipe, followed by an airlock chamber and a second valve (downstream of the airlock chamber), the airlock chamber being connected to a fluid discharge line provided with a third valve. The improvement method then consists in replacing the first valve or the second valve with a first capacity valve in order to limit the wear of the ball and / or the valve seat, in order to avoid too frequent replacement of the ball, the valve seat or the valve, and to limit the risk of fluid leakage. Preferably, both the first valve and the second valve are replaced with capacity valves in order to further limit the risk of fluid leakage and wear of the ball and / or the valve seat.

[0139] Figure 1 By way of non-limiting example, a cross-sectional view of a sampling device according to the invention is schematically shown.

[0140] The sampling device 10 according to the invention is arranged on an enclosure 12, in particular a reactor, which is preferably sealed and advantageously isolated from the atmosphere. The enclosure contains solid particles 14 and possibly a fluid, in particular a gas. The sampling device comprises a sampling head 16 for collecting a sample of solid particles in the enclosure. The sampling head 16 is carried by a tubular body 18 with a longitudinal axis XX extending through a wall 20 of the enclosure 12. The sampling head 16 works according to the principle of a deflector, allowing a predetermined volume of solid particles to be collected in the enclosure 12 and avoiding large flows.

[0141] The sampling head 16 comprises a cylindrical housing 22, here circular, whose longitudinal axis coincides with the longitudinal axis of the tubular body 18, and which is closed at the top by a cover 24 and at the bottom by a bottom 26. The cover 24 and the bottom 26 are each provided with a recess 28, 28' in the form of an angular sector (whose shape is Figure 2 The groove 28 of the cover 24 is a collecting groove for collecting solid particles from the enclosure, and the groove 28' of the bottom 26 is a transfer groove.

[0142] The interior of the cylindrical housing 22 contains a shutter device, here in the form of a cup 30. The diameter of the cup 30 substantially corresponds to the diameter of the interior of the cylindrical housing 22 and its height is substantially equal to the height of the cylindrical housing 22, thereby allowing the cup 30 to rotate freely inside the cylindrical housing 22 and between the lid 24 and the bottom 26. The cup 30 is provided with a hollow portion 32, which extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis and through the cup 30 (at Figure 2 and 3). Advantageously, the hollow portion 32 has a cross section in the form of an angular sector, the shape of which corresponds to the angular sectors of the recesses 28 and 28' of the lid 24 and the bottom 26. Preferably, the recess 28 of the lid 24 has dimensions and a sector angle that are smaller than those of the hollow portion 32 of the cup 30, while the recess 28' of the bottom 26 has dimensions and a sector angle that are greater than those of the hollow portion 32 of the cup 30. The volume of the cup defines the predetermined volume of the sampling head.

[0143] The tubular body 18 of the sampling device is advantageously inclined at an angle α of 45° to the horizontal within the enclosure 12 to facilitate the transfer of solid particles by gravity.

[0144] The tubular body 18 comprises an upper tubular extension 44, here circular, which partially penetrates the interior of the enclosure 12 and supports the sampling head 16 for sampling the solid particles contained in the enclosure 12. The tubular body 18 also comprises a lower tubular extension 46, which contains various means 48 for controlling the rotation of the cup 30 to allow the collection of the sample.

[0145] The lower tubular extension 46 also includes a deflector 50 housed and secured therein for driving the collected sample to flow toward a tubular tube 52 leading to the valve V1 and then to the airlock 54 .

[0146] The deflector 50 has a deflection surface 56 carried by a tubular sleeve 58 at an angle of 25° to the vertical, allowing the gravity flow of the sampled solid particles towards the airlock. The deflector 50 also includes a fastening seat plate 60 on the lower end of the tubular body 18, and a longitudinal axial hole 62 starting from the deflection surface and opening into the seat plate 60, allowing the cup rotation control device to pass.

[0147] The airlock 54 is connected to three valves V1, V2, V3. A tubular member 55a connects the airlock 54 to a third valve V3 for discharging a fluid (which is part of the sample collected with the solid particles and which is also contained in the enclosure 12) to a flare or a fluid collection line.

[0148] Another tubular member 55 connects the airlock chamber 54 to the first valve V1 and the second valve V2 .

[0149] The tubular members 55 and 55a are substantially orthogonal.

[0150] The tubular duct 52 leading to the first valve V1 is provided with a fixing flange 64 intended to be assembled on a base plate 66 fixed to the outside of the wall 20 and around a through hole 68 of the upper tubular extension 44 .

[0151] The tubular extension 52 is oriented at a non-zero angle β relative to the axis XX of the body.

[0152] The rotation control device 48 for the cup 30 includes a drive rod 70, which extends through the tubular body 18 and the deflector 50 by extending from the cup 30 to the outside of the lower end of the tubular body 18, where the cup is outside the lower end of the tubular body 18, and the drive rod 70 is connected to an operating rod 72 arranged outside the tubular body.

[0153] The upper end of the rod 70 is connected to the cup 30 through the hole 38 in any known manner, such as a threaded connection or a male and female joint, and the lower end of the rod 70 is fixedly connected to the operating rod 72, preferably by a keyed and threaded connection. Therefore, the rotation of the operating rod 72 causes the rotation of the cup 30.

[0154] Advantageously, the circular plate 74 is housed between the operating rod 72 and the lower end of the tubular body 18 by being fastened to a seat plate of the deflector 50. The fastening may be provided, for example, by a system combining pins and nuts, which thus allows preventing the circular plate 74 from rotating when the operating rod 72 is actuated.

[0155] Furthermore, a sealing device 76, more generally called a stuffing box, is housed between the rod 70 and the hole 62. This sealing device 76 thus allows absorbing temperature and pressure differences between the enclosure 12 and the external environment.

[0156] Furthermore, a person skilled in the art will be aware of other devices that may be provided on the system, such as stuffing boxes, in particular from the information contained in patent application FR-3,007,137A1.

[0157] To form the sampling device, the cup 30 is housed in the cylindrical housing 22. The bottom 26 is then added to this subassembly by matching the holes 38 with the perforations 42 in the bottom 26. The lid 24 is then added with the pins 34 matching the blind holes 36. The lid 24 and bottom 26 are attached to the cylindrical housing 22 by any known means, such as threading or welding.

[0158] The assembly consisting of the rod 70 , the circular plate 74 with the stopper (not shown), the torsion spring (not shown) and the operating lever 72 for controlling the cup 30 via the rod 70 is then introduced into the lower tubular extension 46 .

[0159] During the introduction, the end of the rod 70 is guided to engage in rotation with the hole 38 of the cup 30, while becoming integral with the cup. Once completed, the circular plate 74 is fastened to the deflector 50.

[0160] Once the assembly is formed, the tubular body 18 with the sampling head 16 is fed into the enclosure 12 through the through hole 68 and secured to the base plate 66 by any known means (e.g. bolting). The valve V1 is then added and fastened to the tubular tube 52 connected to the tubular body 18, and the airlock 54 is then fastened to the other end of the valve V1.

[0161] The second valve V2 is fastened downstream of the airlock chamber 54 , and the third valve V3 is fastened to the tubular member 55 a of the airlock chamber 54 .

[0162] At least one of the valves V1 or V2 is a volume valve, preferably at least the valve V1 is a volume valve. The volume valve (or the volume valves) has a volume located in the valve ball, which volume is suitable for receiving a predetermined volume of solid particles collected by the sampling head 16. Therefore, the solid particles are directly stored in the volume of the valve without contacting the ball surface and the valve seat surface providing the seal.

[0163] Preferably, both valves V1 and V2 are volumetric valves adapted to receive solid particles directly into the cavity of the ball by gravity.

[0164] Valve V3 is intended to be used to discharge fluid collected with solid particles in the enclosure. This valve V3 is not a capacity valve because the fluid is not abrasive when operating valve V3.

[0165] A pneumatic single-acting cylinder 90 can be used. The pneumatic single-acting cylinder 90 is provided with a pointed arch cam 92 integral with a piston 94, the stroke of which is limited by the structure. The return of the cylinder is provided by a spring 96 integrated therein.

[0166] The cam 92 is in contact with the operating rod 72. When extension from the cylinder 90 is required, the pressure in the appropriate chamber of the cylinder causes the piston 94 to produce a translational movement to extend. This translational movement causes the operating rod 72 to rotate through the cam 92 integral with the piston 94.

[0167] Since the cylinder is designed with a stroke limiting device, the system limits the angular displacement of the operating rod 72.

[0168] It is worth noting that the sampling device can be manually operated at any time and at any stage of operation of the cylinder 90.

[0169] Figure 2 and 3 The cup 30 and the cylindrical housing 22 of a sampling head are schematically shown by way of non-limiting example, the sampling head working on the principle of a baffle allowing a predetermined amount of solid particles to be removed and preventing a greater amount of flow.

[0170] The head comprises a cylindrical housing 22, here circular, whose longitudinal axis coincides with that of the tubular body, closed at the top by a cover and at the bottom by a bottom. The cover and the bottom are each provided with a recess 28, 28' in the form of an angular sector (a) and (a').

[0171] The interior of the cylindrical housing 22 contains a cup 30 forming a shutter device, whose longitudinal axis coincides with the axis of the cylindrical housing 22. The diameter of this cup 30 corresponds substantially to the internal diameter of the cylindrical housing 22 and its height is substantially equal to the height of the cylindrical housing 22, thereby allowing the cup to rotate freely inside the cylindrical housing 22 and between the lid and the bottom.

[0172] The cup 30 is provided with a hollow portion 32 substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis and extending through the cup 30. Advantageously, the hollow portion 32 has a cross section in the form of an angular sector (b) corresponding in shape to the angular sectors of the lid and the bottom.

[0173] The groove 28 of the angular sector (a) of the cover and the groove 28' of the angular sector (a') of the bottom are offset relative to each other, here in diameter, so that communication through the hollow part 32 of the angular sector (b) formed by the cup 30 is impossible, and the hollow part 32 extends axially.

[0174] Preferably, the recess 28 of the lid is formed on an angular sector (a) having an angle smaller than that of the angular sector (b) of the hollow portion 32 of the cup 30. The recess 28' of the bottom is formed on an angular sector (a') having an angle greater than that of the angular sector (b) of the hollow portion 32 of the cup 30. Therefore, the volume of the hollow portion 32 allows the predetermined volume of the sampled solid particles to be determined.

[0175] The cup 30 is equipped on its upper plane with a dowel pin 34 coaxial with the axis of the cup 30, which cooperates with a blind hole provided on the inner surface of the lid. On its lower plane, the cup 30 comprises a hole 38 for connection with a control device (in particular a lever).

[0176] Especially Figure 2 As better shown in FIG. 3 , the hollow portion 32 of the cup can have several positions, depending on the position of the operating lever.

[0177] More specifically, the hollow portion 32 may have a collection position P1, where the hollow portion 32 coincides with the groove 28. At the collection position P1, a solid particle sample having the same volume as the internal volume of the hollow portion 32 of the cup is transferred from the sealed enclosure into the hollow portion 32 of the cup by gravity, and then its lower portion is closed by the flat surface of the bottom.

[0178] The discharge position P2 (here diametrically opposite to the collection position P1) corresponds to the position where the hollow part 32 coincides with the groove 28' of the bottom, where the solid particle sample is transferred from the hollow part 32 to the tubular body of the sampling device by gravity, and then the groove 28 of the lid is closed by the upper plane of the cup.

[0179] The neutral position N is an intermediate position between the collection position P1 and the discharge position P2. The illustrated neutral position N forms an angle (d) with the collection position P1. In the illustrated neutral position N, the hollow portion 32 is not opposite to the groove 28 of the cover. Therefore, in this neutral position N, sampling is not possible.

[0180] Figure 2 Also shown is a rest position P3 in which the operating lever rests on a fixed stop (not shown) and the hollow portion 32 of the cup is positioned so that there is no communication between the grooves 28 and 28 ′.

[0181] Therefore, during the rotation of the rod, and thus the cup, between position N and position P3, there is an angular range (c), called the dead-end displacement, in which no solid sampling occurs.

[0182] Figure 4 By way of non-limiting example, a first type of capacity valve 110 for use in a sampling device according to the invention is schematically shown.

[0183] The capacity valve 110 comprises an inlet pipe 100 and an outlet pipe 104. The inlet and outlet can of course be reversed, but for operation in gravity mode, with solid particles being transported by gravity, the inlet is preferably located above the outlet, and the inlet pipe 100 and the outlet pipe 104 are preferably on a vertical axis at the connection with the capacity valve 100.

[0184] The capacity valve 110 includes a cartridge 101 (also referred to as a valve body) rigidly connected to an inlet tube 100 and an outlet tube 104 .

[0185] The cassette 101 contains a ball 102 (here a spherical ball, so the volume valve 110 shown is a volumetric spherical ball valve) that is movable (here rotatably movable) in the cassette 101. The rotation of the ball 102 enables the volume valve 110 to be operated. The rotation is caused by the operating handle 105. Therefore, the shaft 108 acts as a mechanical connection between the handle 105 and the ball 102 by being rigidly attached to the handle 105 and the ball 102.

[0186] Preferably, the shaft 108 is pivotally connected about an axis 107 passing through the center of the spherical ball 102. When the handle 105 is actuated, the shaft 108 rotates about the axis 107 and rotationally drives the ball about the axis 107.

[0187] The ball 102 includes a volume 106 consisting of a cavity (here a hole) within the ball 102 .

[0188] The seal of the capacity valve 110 is provided upstream of the valve (at the inlet) and downstream of the valve (at the outlet) by contact between the ball 102 and a first valve seat 103a located upstream of the capacity valve 110 (and therefore located above the ball), and contact between the ball 102 and a second valve seat 103b located downstream of the capacity valve 110 (and therefore located below the ball).

[0189] In the position shown in the figure, the volume valve 110 is in the sampling position, that is, the volume 106 of the ball is located opposite the inlet so that solid particles collected by the sampling head of the sampling device can be collected under the action of gravity. In other words, in the sampling position, the volume 106 is located above the ball 102 so as to collect solid particles.

[0190] On the other hand, in the discharge position, the ball 102 has been rotated 180° around the axis 107, and the volume 106 is located below the ball 102 to discharge solid particles under gravity. At this time, the volume 106 is located opposite the outlet of the volume valve 110.

[0191] This capacity valve 110 with two valve seats, upstream and downstream, provides improved sealing. In addition, this configuration allows the use of an offset shaft 108 (only on one side of the ball 102) instead of a through shaft.

[0192] Of course, handle 105 may be replaced by other means of actuating capacity valve 110, such as an automatic actuation device.

[0193] When using capacity valve 110 instead Figure 1 When the valve V1 is formed, the inlet pipe 100 is connected to the tubular pipe 52, and the outlet pipe 104 is connected to the airlock chamber through the tubular member 55.

[0194] When using capacity valve 110 instead Figure 1 When the valve V2 is turned on, the inlet pipe 100 is connected to the tubular member 55 to connect to the airlock chamber, while the outlet pipe 104 remains free.

[0195] Figure 5 A second type of capacity valve 110 for a sampling device according to the invention is schematically shown by way of non-limiting example.

[0196] The capacity valve 110 comprises an inlet pipe 100 and an outlet pipe 104. The inlet and outlet can of course be reversed, but for operation in gravity mode, with solid particles being transported by gravity, the inlet is preferably located above the outlet, and the inlet pipe 100 and the outlet pipe 104 are preferably on a vertical axis at the connection with the capacity valve 100.

[0197] The capacity valve 110 includes a cartridge 101 (also referred to as a valve body) rigidly connected to an inlet tube 100 and an outlet tube 104 .

[0198] The cassette 101 contains a ball 102 (here a spherical ball, so the volume valve 110 shown is a volumetric spherical ball valve) that is movable (here rotatably movable) in the cassette 101. The rotation of the ball 102 enables the volume valve 110 to be operated. The rotation is caused by the operating handle 105. Therefore, the shaft 108 acts as a mechanical connection between the handle 105 and the ball 102 by being rigidly attached to the handle 105 and the ball 102.

[0199] Preferably, the shaft 108 is pivotally connected about an axis (not shown) passing through the center of the spherical ball 102. When the handle 105 is actuated, the shaft 108 rotates about its axis and rotationally drives the ball about this axis.

[0200] The ball 102 includes a volume 106 consisting of a cavity (here a hole) within the ball 102 .

[0201] The sealing of the capacity valve 110 is provided only upstream (at the inlet) of the capacity valve 110 by contact between the ball 102 and the valve seat 103a located upstream (and therefore above) the capacity valve 110. Figure 3 Unlike the capacity valve in the , there is no seat downstream of the ball (opposite the valve outlet).

[0202] In the illustrated position, the volume valve 110 is in the sampling position, i.e., the volume 106 of the ball is located opposite the inlet so that solid particles collected by the sampling head of the sampling device can be collected under the action of gravity. In other words, in the sampling position, the volume 106 is located above the ball 102 so as to collect solid particles.

[0203] On the other hand, in the discharge position, the ball 102 has been rotated 180° around the axis of the shaft 108, and the volume 106 is located below the ball 102 to discharge solid particles under gravity. At this time, the volume 106 is located opposite the outlet of the volume valve 110.

[0204] Such a capacity valve 110 with a single valve seat upstream preferably has a shaft 108 passing through the ball to improve the seal between the valve seat and the ball. The shaft 108 here comprises two coaxial parts 108a and 108b located on either side of the ball 102. For example, the ball 102 with the through shaft 108 divided into two parts 108a and 108b can be obtained by integrally machining the ball / through shaft assembly. The ball can also be perforated so as to position the two shaft parts on either side, the other end of each shaft part being pivotally connected to the box 101 so as to be able to guide the ball 102 in rotation.

[0205] Of course, handle 105 may be replaced by other means of actuating capacity valve 110, such as an automatic actuation device.

[0206] When using capacity valve 110 instead Figure 1When the valve V1 is formed, the inlet pipe 100 is connected to the tubular pipe 52, and the outlet pipe 104 is connected to the airlock chamber through the tubular member 55.

[0207] When using capacity valve 110 instead Figure 1 When the valve V2 is closed, the inlet pipe 100 is connected to the tubular member 55 to connect to the airlock chamber, while the outlet pipe 104 remains free.

[0208] Figure 4 and 5 A volumetric spherical ball valve is shown, but other types of volumetric valves may be considered without departing from the scope of the invention. For these other types of volumetric valves, the ball may be moved rotationally, as in the volumetric spherical ball valve shown, or may be moved translationally, or by a combination of rotation and translation.

[0209] Figures 6 to 10 Various embodiments of a valve assembly at the tubular pipe outlet of a device according to the invention are schematically shown by way of non-limiting examples.

[0210] Figure 6 A first embodiment of a valve assembly at a tubular pipe outlet is shown.

[0211] The valve group includes two capacity valves V1 and V2, and a non-capacity valve V3.

[0212] In this figure, the inlet 121 of the first capacity valve V1 is connected to the outlet of the tubular tube of the sampling device. Figure 4 The first capacity valve V1 is shown in the sampling position, wherein the capacity is opposite to the inlet 121 .

[0213] The outlet 122 of the first capacity valve V1 is connected to the airlock chamber S1 .

[0214] Airlock S1 includes two additional exits:

[0215] - an outlet below the airlock chamber S1 for discharging solid particles by gravity. This outlet is connected to the inlet 123 of the second capacity valve V2,

[0216] - An outlet located substantially on a horizontal axis for discharging a fluid, in particular a gas, and more particularly for a purge for decompressing the fluid. This outlet is connected to a tubular part 55a to which a second tubular part 55b is attached by a flange 120. The second tubular part 55b leads to a non-volumetric valve V3 which can be connected to a flare or a fluid collection tank.

[0217] The second capacity valve V2 is a double seat valve. Figure 4 The second capacity valve V2 is shown in the sampling position, wherein the capacity is opposite to the inlet 123.

[0218] The outlet 124 of the second capacity valve V2 is connected to a funnel 125 for discharging the solid particles into the container R.

[0219] This configuration can also be obtained by modifying the sampling device in which the original non-volume valves V1 and V2 have been replaced by volume valves.

[0220] To recover solid particles obtained through the sampling head of the device, these valves operate as follows:

[0221] - Volume valves V1 and V2 are located in the sampling position (e.g. Figure 6 As shown), the non-capacity valve V3 is closed,

[0222] - the solid particles and fluid that may be contained in the predetermined volume taken out in the sampling head flow directly into the cavity of the first capacity valve V1 under the action of gravity,

[0223] By rotating the ball by 180°, placing the first capacity valve V1 in the discharge position, keeping the second capacity valve V2 in the sampling position, and keeping the non-capacitive third valve V3 closed: the solid particles then fall directly into the cavity of the second capacity valve V2,

[0224] - opening the third non-displacement valve V3 to discharge the fluid (in particular gas) and / or depressurize it, and closing the third non-displacement valve V3 again. During this operation, the second displacement valve V2 remains in the sampling position, while the first displacement valve can remain in the discharge position (preferred case) or be repositioned in the sampling position,

[0225] - Position the second capacity valve V2 in the discharge position by rotating the ball by 180°: the solid particles then fall into the funnel and subsequently into the container R, where the user can recover them. During this operation, the non-capacitive third valve V3 remains closed, while the first capacity valve can remain in the discharge position (preferred case) or be repositioned in the sampling position,

[0226] - The second capacity valve V2 is then repositioned in the sampling position, the first capacity valve V1 is repositioned in the sampling position (if this operation has not been previously performed) and the non-capacitive third valve V3 remains closed.

[0227] Figure 7 A second embodiment of a valve assembly at a tubular pipe outlet is shown.

[0228] The valve assembly consists of a single valve, which is the capacity valve V1.

[0229] This configuration may be advantageously selected when the enclosure contains only solid particles, when the enclosure contains solid particles and fluid at atmospheric pressure (so that no reduced pressure purge is required), and preferably when the enclosure does not contain toxic fluids.

[0230] In this figure, the inlet 121 of a single capacity valve V1 is connected to the outlet of the tubular tube of the sampling device, and the single capacity valve is also the only valve of the sampling device. Figure 4 The single capacity valve V1 is shown in the collecting position, with the capacity opposite the inlet 121.

[0231] The outlet of a single volumetric valve V1 allows solid particles to be discharged directly into container R.

[0232] In this configuration, the sampling device includes a single volumetric valve and no non-volumetric valves.

[0233] To collect solid particles sampled through the device sampling head, the single volumetric valve operates as follows:

[0234] - Single volume valve V1 is located in the sampling position (e.g. Figure 7 shown),

[0235] - The solid particles and fluids that may be contained in the predetermined volume taken out by the sampling head flow directly into the cavity of the single capacity valve V1 under the action of gravity,

[0236] By rotating the ball by 180°, the single capacity valve V1 is positioned in the discharge position: the solid particles then fall directly into the container R, where the user can recover them,

[0237] - The single volumetric valve V1 is then repositioned to the sampling position.

[0238] Figure 8 A third embodiment of a valve assembly at a tubular pipe outlet is shown.

[0239] The valve assembly includes a displacement valve V1 and two non-displacement valves V2 and V3.

[0240] In this figure, the inlet 121 of the first capacity valve V1 is connected to the tubular outlet of the sampling device. Figure 4 The capacity valve V1 is shown in the collecting position, with the capacity opposite to the inlet 121 .

[0241] The outlet 122 of the capacity valve V1 is connected to the airlock chamber S1.

[0242] Airlock S1 includes two additional exits:

[0243] - an outlet below the airlock chamber S1 for discharging solid particles by gravity. This outlet is connected to the inlet 123 of the non-volumetric second valve V2,

[0244] - An outlet located substantially on a horizontal axis for discharging a fluid, in particular a gas, and more particularly for a purge for decompressing the fluid. This outlet is connected to a tubular part 55a to which a second tubular part 55b is attached by a flange 120. The second tubular part 55b leads to a non-volumetric valve V3 which can be connected to a flare or a fluid collection tank.

[0245] The non-displacement type second valve V2 has a ball without an inner cavity.

[0246] The outlet 124 of the non-displacement type second valve V2 is connected to a funnel 125 for discharging the solid particles into a container R.

[0247] This configuration can also be obtained by modifying the sampling device in a process where valves V1 and V2 are initially non-volume valves and only valve V1 is replaced by a volume valve.

[0248] To recover solid particles sampled through the sampling head of the device, these valves operate as follows:

[0249] - Single volume valve V1 is located in the sampling position (e.g. Figure 8 As shown), and the non-capacity valves V2 and V3 are closed,

[0250] The solid particles and fluid that may be contained in the predetermined volume taken out by the sampling head flow directly into the cavity of the single capacity valve V1 under the action of gravity.

[0251] - Positioning the single volumetric valve V1 in the discharge position by rotating the ball by 180°, the non-volume-type second valve V2 and the non-volume-type third valve V3 remain in the closed position: the solid particles then fall by gravity directly into the airlock S1, upstream of the ball of the non-volume-type second valve V2,

[0252] - The non-displacement third valve V3 is opened to discharge the fluid (in particular gas) and / or to depressurize it, and the non-displacement third valve V3 is closed again. During this operation, the non-displacement second valve V2 remains closed, while the first displacement valve can remain in the discharge position (preferred case) or be repositioned in the sampling position,

[0253] - Positioning the non-volumetric second valve V2 in the open position by rotating the ball by 180°: the solid particles then flow through the ball, fall into the funnel and subsequently into the container R, where the user can recover them. During this operation, the non-volumetric third valve V3 remains closed, while the first volumetric valve can remain in the discharge position (preferred case) or be repositioned in the sampling position,

[0254] - The non-displacement second valve V2 is closed again, the first displacement valve V1 is repositioned in the sampling position (if this operation has not been performed previously), and the non-displacement third valve V3 remains closed.

[0255] Fig. 9 A fourth embodiment of a valve assembly at a tubular pipe outlet is shown.

[0256] The valve assembly includes a single displacement valve V2 and two non-displacement valves V1, V3.

[0257] In this figure, the inlet 121 of the first non-displacement valve V1 is connected to the tubular outlet of the sampling device. In the figure, the first non-displacement valve V1 is a double seat valve, but other types of non-displacement valves can also be used. The first non-displacement valve V1 is shown in a closed position.

[0258] The outlet 122 of the first non-displacement valve V1 is connected to the airlock chamber S1 .

[0259] Airlock S1 includes two additional exits:

[0260] - an outlet below the airlock chamber S1 for discharging solid particles by gravity. This outlet is connected to the inlet 123 of the second volumetric valve V2,

[0261] - An outlet located substantially on a horizontal axis for discharging a fluid, in particular a gas, and more particularly for a purge for decompressing the fluid. This outlet is connected to a tubular part 55a to which a second tubular part 55b is attached by a flange 120. The second tubular part 55b leads to a non-volumetric valve V3 which can be connected to a flare or a fluid collection tank.

[0262] The second capacity valve V2 is Figure 4 The second valve 2 of the capacity type is shown in the sampling position, wherein the capacity is opposite to the inlet 123 .

[0263] The outlet 124 of the second volumetric valve V2 is connected to a funnel 125 for discharging the solid particles into a container R.

[0264] This configuration can also be obtained by modifying the sampling device in a process where valves V1 and V2 are initially non-volume valves and only valve V2 is replaced by a volume valve.

[0265] To recover solid particles obtained through the sampling head of the device, these valves operate as follows:

[0266] - Single volume valve V2 is located in the sampling position (e.g. Fig. 9 As shown), and the non-capacity valves V1 and V3 are closed,

[0267] - the solid particles and fluids that may be contained in the predetermined volume taken out by the sampling head flow directly upstream of the ball of the capacity valve V2 under the action of gravity,

[0268] - The non-volumetric first valve V1 is positioned in the open position by rotating the ball, the volumetric valve V2 remains in the sampling position and the non-volumetric third valve V3 remains closed: the solid particles then flow through the non-volumetric first valve V1 and fall directly into the cavity of the volumetric second valve V2,

[0269] - the non-displacement type first valve V1 is closed, the non-displacement type third valve V3 remains closed, and the displacement type second valve remains in the sampling position,

[0270] - Opening the third non-volumetric valve V3 to discharge the fluid (in particular gas) and / or depressurize it, and then closing the third non-volumetric valve V3 again. During this operation, the second volumetric valve V2 remains in the sampling position, while the first non-volumetric valve V1 remains closed,

[0271] - Position the volumetric second valve V2 in the discharge position by rotating the ball by 180°: the solid particles then fall into the funnel and subsequently into the container R, where the user can recover them. During this operation, the non-volumetric first and third valves V1 and V3 remain closed,

[0272] - The volumetric second valve V2 is then repositioned to the sampling position, while the non-volumetric first and third valves V1 and V3 remain closed.

[0273] Fig.10 A fifth embodiment of a valve assembly at a tubular pipe outlet is shown.

[0274] The valve assembly includes two capacity valves V1 and V2 and contains neither an airlock nor a fluid discharge line.

[0275] This configuration can be advantageously implemented when the enclosure contains only solid particles, when the enclosure contains solid particles and fluid at atmospheric pressure (then no reduced pressure purge is required), and preferably when the enclosure does not contain toxic fluids.

[0276] In this figure, the inlet 121 of the first capacity valve V1 is connected to the tubular outlet of the sampling device. Figure 4 The first capacity valve V1 is shown in the sampling position, wherein the capacity is opposite to the inlet 121 .

[0277] The outlet 122 of the first capacity valve V1 is directly fastened to the inlet of the second capacity valve V2.

[0278] The second capacity valve V2 is a double seat valve. Figure 4 The second capacity valve V2 is shown in a sampling position, wherein the capacity is opposite to the outlet 122 of the first capacity valve V1 (which corresponds to the inlet of the second capacity valve V2).

[0279] The outlet 124 of the second capacity valve V2 is connected to a funnel 125 for discharging the solid particles into the container R.

[0280] In this configuration, the sampling device contains only a volumetric valve and no non-volutive valve.

[0281] To recover solid particles sampled through the sampling head of the device, these valves operate as follows:

[0282] - Volume valves V1 and V2 are located in the sampling position (e.g. Fig.10 shown),

[0283] - the solid particles and fluid that may be contained in the predetermined volume taken out by the sampling head flow directly into the cavity of the first capacity valve V1 under the action of gravity,

[0284] - By rotating the ball by 180°, the first capacity valve V1 is positioned in the discharge position and the second capacity valve V2 remains in the sampling position: the solid particles then fall directly into the cavity of the second capacity valve V2,

[0285] - Position the second capacity valve V2 in the discharge position by rotating the ball by 180°: the solid particles then fall into the funnel and subsequently into the container R, where the user can recover them. During this operation, the first capacity valve V1 can remain in the discharge position (preferred case) or be repositioned in the sampling position,

[0286] The second capacity valve V2 is then repositioned to the sampling position and the first capacity valve V1 is repositioned to the sampling position (if this has not been done previously).

[0287] exist Figures 6 to 10 In the figures, the capacity valve is shown as a capacity spherical ball valve, but other types of capacity valves may be used in place of the capacity spherical ball valve without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A device (10) for sampling solid particles (14) from a sealed enclosure (12), the sampling device (10) comprising a tubular body (18) with a sampling head (16), the sampling head (16) being configured to gravity sample a predetermined volume of solid particles (14) from the sealed enclosure (12), the sampling device (10) comprising a tubular tube (52) attached to the tubular body (18) and forming a non-zero angle with the tubular body (18), the tubular body (18) comprising a deflector (50) for deflecting solid particles (14) in the tubular tube (52), characterized in that The sampling device (10) comprises a first capacity valve for discharging solid particles, which is located downstream of the tubular pipe (52) in the flow direction of the solid particles (14) in the sampling device (10).

2. The device (10) for sampling solid particles (14) from a sealed enclosure (12) according to claim 1, wherein: The volume of the capacity (106) of the first capacity valve is greater than the predetermined volume. The volume of the capacity (106) of the first capacity valve is preferably at least 1.05 times the predetermined volume, and more preferably at least 1.15 times the predetermined volume.

3. A device (10) for sampling solid particles (14) from a sealed enclosure (12) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The first displacement valve includes a single valve seat (103a) and a displacement ball (102), wherein the single valve seat (103a) is located upstream of the displacement ball (102).

4. The device (10) for sampling solid particles (14) from a sealed enclosure (12) according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein: The first capacity valve includes a first valve seat (103a), a second valve seat (103b) and a capacity ball (102), wherein the first valve seat (103a) is located upstream of the capacity ball (102), and the second valve seat (103b) is located downstream of the capacity ball (102).

5. A device (10) for sampling solid particles (14) from a sealed enclosure (12) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The first displacement valve is selected from a displacement type ball valve, a displacement type tapered ball valve or a displacement type cylindrical ball valve.

6. A device (10) for sampling solid particles (14) from a sealed enclosure (12) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sampling device (10) includes a second valve located downstream of the tubular tube (52) for discharging the solid particles (14), the second valve being located upstream or downstream of the first capacity valve, the first capacity valve and the second valve being directly connected to each other or connected to each other through an airlock chamber (S1).

7. A device (10) for sampling solid particles (14) from a sealed enclosure (12) according to claim 6, wherein the sampling device (10) includes an interlocking key system for preventing the first capacity valve and the second valve from being operated simultaneously.

8. A device (10) for sampling solid particles (14) from a sealed enclosure (12) according to any one of claims 6 or 7, wherein: The airlock chamber (S1) is connected to a third valve (V3) for discharging a fluid contained in a predetermined volume.

9. A device (10) for sampling solid particles (14) from a sealed enclosure (12) according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein: The second valve is a second displacement valve, and the first displacement valve and the second displacement valve are preferably identical.

10. A system comprising: A sealed enclosure (12) containing solid particles (14); and an apparatus (10) for sampling the solid particles (14) as claimed in any of the preceding claims, the system being intended for use in one of the following applications: sampling catalysts in a petroleum refining unit, a gas or biomass processing plant, a renewable fuel production unit, a reforming unit, a Fischer-Tropsch unit or a unit for dehydrating ethanol to olefins.

11. A method for sampling solid particles (14) from a sealed enclosure (12) using a sampling device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein at least the following steps are performed: - removing a predetermined volume comprising solid particles (14) from the sealed enclosure (12) via a sampling head (16), - delivering the removed predetermined volume to the capacity (102) of the first capacity valve in the sampling position, - actuating the first displacement valve to expel a predetermined volume including solid particles (14) in the first displacement valve, and repositioning the first displacement valve to a sampling position once the predetermined volume has been expelled.

12. A method for sampling solid particles (14) from a sealed enclosure (12) using the sampling device (10) according to claim 8, wherein the first volumetric valve is located upstream of the second volumetric valve, wherein at least the following steps are performed: - removing a predetermined volume of solid particles (14) from the sealed enclosure (12) via a sampling head (16), - delivering the removed predetermined volume to the capacity (102) of the first capacity valve in the sampling position, - actuating the first capacity valve to discharge a predetermined volume into the airlock (S1) or directly into the second capacity valve in the sampling position and repositioning the first capacity valve to the sampling position once the predetermined volume has been discharged, - when discharging the predetermined volume into the airlock (S1), discharging the fluid contained in the predetermined volume, preferably through a third valve (V3), which opens and then closes once the fluid has been discharged, - actuating the second volumetric valve to discharge the solid particles (14) contained in the predetermined volume into the container (R) and repositioning the second volumetric valve to the sampling position once the solid particles (14) have been discharged.

13. A method of improving a device (10) for sampling solid particles (14) from a sealed enclosure (12), the sampling device (10) comprising a tubular body (18) with a sampling head (16), the sampling head (16) being configured to gravity sample a predetermined volume of solid particles (14) from the sealed enclosure (12), the sampling device (10) comprising a tubular tube (52) attached to the tubular body (18) and forming a non-zero angle with the tubular body (18), the tubular body (18) comprising a deflector (50) for deflecting solid particles (14) in the tubular tube (52), the sampling device (10) comprising at least one valve located downstream of the tubular tube (52), the method comprising the following steps: wherein, At least one valve located downstream of the tubular tube (52) is replaced by a capacity valve (110) to obtain a sampling device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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