Fluid Sampling System and Method

Abstract

In a method for analyzing the material components of a liquid sample, a pressurized gas and a liquid sample are supplied to a collection chamber, and the pressurized gas and the liquid sample are heated to an extraction temperature. The pressurized gas is injected into the liquid sample to evaporate the material components from the liquid sample into the pressurized gas to form a sample gas. A mixture of the liquid sample, the pressurized gas, and the sample gas is discharged from the collection chamber. The pressure of the sample gas is reduced to bring the sample gas to an unsaturated state. The depressurized sample gas is conveyed to an analyzer. The pressurized gas is separated from the mixture and conveyed to a bleed port, and the liquid sample is conveyed to a drain port.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Cross - Reference to Related Applications This application claims the benefit of priority and all rights of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 394,359 (FLUID SAMPLING SYSTEM AND METHOD), filed on Aug. 2, 2022, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to a fluid sampling system, and more particularly to a fluid sampling system for collecting and analyzing chemical substances extracted from a liquid.

Background Art

[0003] Analytical fluid sampling systems are used to detect the presence and amount of one or more chemical substances, such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), in a sample of a collected liquid (e.g., water). Conventional systems for extracting and analyzing VOCs mix a liquid sample with a gas (e.g., nitrogen) in a tank while passing the liquid sample through a drain, heat the mixture to evaporate the VOCs into the gas component, and transport the gas, along with the vaporized VOCs, to an analyzer (e.g., a gas chromatograph). In such an arrangement, by transporting the saturated gas vapor to the analyzer, the evaporated liquid and the VOCs condense downstream of the tank, and then the discharged liquid and the discharge of these compounds may interfere with the accuracy of the analysis sample. Such condensation can be avoided by heating the tubing line to the analyzer, but in some applications, such a heating arrangement may not be practical or may not be possible.

Summary of the Invention

[0004] According to one or more exemplary aspects of the inventions presented in this disclosure, a sampling system includes a collection chamber, a gas supply line that provides pressurized gas to the collection chamber, and a liquid supply line that provides liquid to the collection chamber. A heater is assembled to the collection chamber and configured to heat the pressurized gas and the liquid to an extraction temperature. The collection chamber and the heater are configured to evaporate a portion of the liquid into the pressurized gas at the extraction temperature to form a sample gas. An outlet port extends from the collection chamber to a first outlet passage for delivering the sample gas to an analyzer and a second outlet passage for delivering a mixture of the liquid and the pressurized gas to a drain port. A water seal mechanism is assembled to the second outlet passage and configured to separate gas from the mixture in the second outlet passage and maintain the mixture at a positive pressure. A pressure reducing mechanism is assembled to the first outlet passage and configured to reduce the fluid pressure of the sample gas to render the sample gas unsaturated.

[0005] According to one or more other exemplary aspects of the inventions presented in this disclosure, a method for analyzing the material components of a liquid sample is contemplated. In an exemplary method, a pressurized gas and a liquid sample are supplied to a collection chamber. The pressurized gas and the liquid sample are heated to an extraction temperature. The pressurized gas is injected into the liquid sample to evaporate the material components from the liquid sample into the pressurized gas to form a sample gas. The liquid sample, the pressurized gas, and the sample gas are discharged from the collection chamber as a mixture. The pressure of the sample gas is reduced to render the sample gas unsaturated. The depressurized sample gas is conveyed to an analyzer. The pressurized gas in the mixture is separated from the mixture and conveyed to a bleed port. The liquid sample is separated from the mixture and conveyed to a drain port.

[0006] According to one or more other exemplary aspects of the invention presented in this disclosure, the chemical substance extraction module includes a collection chamber, a gas supply line for providing pressurized gas to the collection chamber, a heater assembled to the collection chamber, a water seal mechanism, and a decompression mechanism. The gas supply line includes a pressure reducing regulator, a check valve, and a T-joint for introducing liquid into the gas supply line. The heater is configured to heat the pressurized gas and the liquid to the extraction temperature, and the collection chamber and the heater are configured to evaporate a part of the liquid into the pressurized gas at the extraction temperature to form a sample gas. The outlet port extends from the collection chamber to a first outlet passage for delivering the sample gas to an analyzer and a second outlet passage for delivering a mixture of the liquid and the pressurized gas to a drain port. The water seal mechanism is assembled to the second outlet passage and is configured to separate gas from the mixture in the second outlet passage and maintain the mixture at a positive pressure. The decompression mechanism is assembled to the first outlet passage and is configured to reduce the fluid pressure of the sample gas to make the sample gas unsaturated.

[0007] These and other aspects, advantages, and embodiments of the invention will be further described below in consideration of the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 3A

Figure 4

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] This detailed description merely describes exemplary embodiments and is not intended to limit the claims in any way. Indeed, the claimed invention is broader than the exemplary embodiments and is not limited thereby, and the terms used in the claims have their ordinary meaning. For example, while the specific embodiments described herein relate to an arrangement for collecting and analyzing volatile organic compounds contained in a fluid, the features of the present disclosure may additionally or alternatively be applied to other types of fluid systems and sampling arrangements.

[0010] The various aspects, concepts, and features of the present invention may be described and illustrated herein as embodied in exemplary embodiments in combination, but these various aspects, concepts, and features may be used in many alternative embodiments, individually or in various combinations and sub - combinations thereof. All such combinations and sub - combinations are intended to be within the scope of the present invention unless explicitly excluded herein. Further, various alternative embodiments regarding the present invention's various aspects, concepts, and features may be described herein, such as alternative materials, structures, configurations, methods, circuits, devices, and components, alternatives regarding formation, adaptation, and function, etc., but such descriptions are not intended to be a complete or exhaustive list of available alternative embodiments, whether currently known or later developed. One of ordinary skill in the art can readily adopt one or more of the aspects, concepts, or features of the present invention for additional embodiments and uses within the scope of the present invention, even if such embodiments are not explicitly disclosed herein. Further, although some features, concepts, or aspects of the present invention may be described herein as a preferred arrangement or method, such description is not intended to suggest that such features are required or necessary unless explicitly so stated. Additionally, for the purpose of aiding understanding of the present disclosure, exemplary or representative values and ranges may be included, but such values and ranges should not be construed in a limiting sense and are intended to be critical values or ranges only if explicitly stated as such. A parameter identified as “approximately” or “about” a specified value is intended to include the specified value, values within 5% of the specified value, and values within 10% of the specified value, unless otherwise specified. Further, the accompanying drawings of the present disclosure, while not essential, are understood to be to scale and thus may be understood to teach various ratios and proportions apparent in the drawings.Furthermore, although various aspects, features, and concepts may be explicitly identified herein as being inventive or forming part of an invention, such identification is not intended to be exclusive. Rather, aspects, concepts, and features of the invention may be present herein without being explicitly identified as such or as part of a particular invention. Instead, the invention is defined by the appended claims. The description of an exemplary method or process is not limited to including all steps as being necessary in all cases, nor is the order in which steps are presented to be construed as necessary or essential unless explicitly stated otherwise.

[0011] FIG. 1 schematically shows a system 100 for extracting and analyzing dissolved components of a liquid sample according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. In the exemplary system 100, pressurized gas (e.g., pressurized air or nitrogen, e.g., from about 100 kPa to about 500 kPa, or from about 100 kPa to about 200 kPa) and sample liquid (e.g., water) are supplied from gas and liquid sources G, L to respective supply lines 110, 120, and supply the gas and liquid to a collection chamber 130 (e.g., a tank or cylinder). The pressure and flow rate of the gas can be controlled by a pressure reducing regulator 111, and the pressure and flow rate of the liquid can be controlled by a metering pump 121. As shown in the figure, the gas and liquid supply lines 110, 120 may be provided with check valves 112, 122 to prevent backflow and / or flow meters 113, 123 (e.g., rotameter devices) to monitor the flow rate. The gas supply line flow meter 113 may include an integral adjustment valve 113a (e.g., a needle valve) for adjusting the gas flow rate.

[0012] The exemplary collection chamber 130 includes a heater 140 for maintaining the collected fluid at an elevated temperature (e.g., from about 40 °C to about 80 °C, or about 50 °C). The collection chamber 130 and the heater 140 function to mix the gas with the liquid, evaporate a portion of the liquid and its components (e.g., VOCs) from the liquid, and absorb them by the collected gas. The collection chamber 130 and the heater 140 can essentially function as a sparger for mixing the gas and the liquid. However, in other embodiments, the collection chamber 130 may further include a sparging arrangement 150 (e.g., a bubbler, a filter, an impeller, and / or other sparger assemblies) to facilitate mixing.

[0013] Together with the evaporated components, the liquid and the gas are discharged from the collection chamber 130 through the outlet port 131. The gas in the outlet port 131 travels through a first outlet passage 162 to an analyzer (e.g., a gas chromatograph, not shown) for analyzing the content and composition of the material components extracted from the liquid sample. At the same time, the liquid in the outlet port either proceeds to the drain port 170 through a second outlet passage 163 by gravity feed or flows out.

[0014] According to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, in an exemplary arrangement, the fluid pressure in the collection chamber 130 is maintained at a positive pressure (e.g., from about 100 to 500 kPa, or from about 100 to 200 kPa). The vaporized liquid flowing into the first outlet passage 162 passes through a pressure reducing mechanism 180 (e.g., a flow control valve such as a needle valve, or a pressure reducing regulator) to bring the vaporized fluid to an unsaturated state, thereby preventing or minimizing the condensation of the vaporized liquid (and its material components). In such an arrangement, the pressure reducing mechanism 180 can reduce the pressure to, for example, approximately atmospheric pressure. The flow coefficient (C v ) through the pressure reducing mechanism 180 may be user-adjustable, for example, to maintain a constant flow rate to the analyzer.

[0015] To maintain a positive internal pressure in the collection chamber 130 and separate gas from the gas-liquid mixture in the second outlet passage 162, in an exemplary embodiment, a water seal mechanism 190 is provided in the second outlet passage. Although various suitable water seal mechanisms can be utilized, in the exemplary embodiment, the water seal mechanism 190 (shown schematically in more detail in FIG. 2) includes an air trap 191 (e.g., a float type air trap) installed in the second outlet passage 163 that separates liquid and gas, and a double tube bleed line 192 that allows the separated gas to escape to the bleed passage 193 through the first passage 192a of the double tube bleed line while passing liquid through the second passage 192b to the air trap 191.

[0016] In the exemplary embodiment, the double tube bleed line includes a reduced T-joint including a ramp through that receives the second outlet passage 163 (e.g., a 1 / 4 inch tube) therethrough and extends above a reduced connection (e.g., 1 / 4 inch) that receives a mixture of liquid and gas from the collection chamber, and the second outlet passage 163 extends to the air trap 191. In the air trap 191, the mixture exits from the end of the second passage 192b, the liquid is supplied by gravity to the bottom of the air trap, and the gas flows upward through the annulus between the ID of the first passage 192a and the OD of the second passage 192b and further flows to the bleed passage through a standard (e.g., 1 / 2 inch) branch connector.

[0017] By separating gas from the second outlet passage 163, the possibility of contamination can be reduced and the accuracy of analysis can be improved. The fluid pressure in the second outlet passage 163 can be monitored, for example, using a pressure gauge 134. The separated gas can be monitored and / or controlled, for example, using a flow meter 194 (e.g., a rotameter), and the flow meter 194 may include an integral adjustment valve 194a (e.g., a needle valve) for adjusting the gas flow rate.

[0018] In some embodiments, the system may include a module that provides a pre-made assembly of components to facilitate installation. As an example of such, components of a chemical extraction arrangement may be mounted on a panel or enclosure for installation as a chemical extraction module within a fluid sampling system. In the exemplary system 100 of FIG. 1, module 101 may comprise components and connections suitable for direct connection to a liquid source, a gas source, an analyzer, a drain, and a bleed passage.

[0019] Figures 3 and 3A show an exemplary module 201 that includes a panel or substrate 202 and a stand 203 on which module components are mounted (e.g., by brackets 205a-k as shown). In the exemplary module 201, gas and liquid supply lines 210, 220 provide connections (e.g., pipe fittings) for a gas and liquid source that supply gas and liquid to a collection chamber such as a tank or cylinder 230. The gas supply line 210 includes a pressure reducing regulator 211, a flow meter 213 for monitoring flow rate (e.g., having an integral needle valve, not shown, for gas flow adjustment), and a check valve 212 for preventing backflow. The liquid supply line 220 includes a flow meter 223 for monitoring flow rate and a check valve 222 for preventing backflow. The liquid supply line may further include a metering pump (not shown) for controlling the pressure and flow rate of the liquid, similar to the embodiment schematically illustrated in FIG. 1. In some such embodiments, the metering pump may be separate from the module. The gas and liquid supply lines 210, 220 include suitable fittings 214, 224 (e.g., T-fittings) for combining the gas and liquid for supply to the cylinder 230 and for facilitating purging / draining of the cylinder and supply lines. In the example shown, the gas supply line T-fitting 214 includes a ramport 214a connected to the gas supply line 210, a first branch port 214b connected to the first branch port 224b of the liquid supply line T-fitting 224, and a second branch port 214c connected to the cylinder 230. The liquid supply line T-fitting 224 includes an operating port 224a connected to the liquid supply line 220 and a capped second branch port 224c that may be open to facilitate purging or draining of the cylinder 230 or the liquid supply line 220.

[0020] The cylinder 230 may include a heater (not shown) for maintaining the collected fluid at a high temperature (e.g., about 40°C to about 80°C, or about 50°C). The cylinder 230 and the heater 240 may essentially function as a sparger for mixing gas and liquid. However, in other embodiments, the cylinder 230 may further include a sparging arrangement (e.g., a bubbler, a filter, an impeller, and / or other sparger assemblies, not shown) to facilitate mixing.

[0021] Along with the evaporated components, the liquid and gas are discharged from the cylinder 230 through the outlet port 231. The T-joint 260 includes an inlet port 260a assembled to the cylinder outlet port 231 and a first outlet port 260b that guides gas through the first outlet passage 262 to a regulating valve 280 (e.g., a needle valve). The regulating valve 280 includes an end connection 281 for connecting to an analyzer supply line that supplies gas to an analyzer (not shown) for analyzing the content and composition of the material components extracted from the liquid sample.

[0022] The T-joint 260 includes a second outlet port 260c that guides liquid (through the drain passage 270) through the second outlet passage 263 for drainage by gravity supply. The fluid pressure within the cylinder 230 is maintained at a positive pressure (e.g., about 100 - 500 kPa or about 100 - 200 kPa) by a water seal mechanism 290 assembled to the second outlet passage 263 and configured to separate gas from the gas-liquid mixture discharged from the cylinder 230. The water seal mechanism 290 includes an air trap 291 (e.g., a float-type air trap) installed in the second outlet passage 263 for separating liquid and gas, and a double-tube bleed line 292 (e.g., the double-tube bleed line arrangement of FIG. 2) that allows the separated gas to escape to the bleed passage 293 through the first passage of the double-tube bleed line 292 while passing the liquid through the second passage to the air trap 291.

[0023] In an exemplary embodiment, the double tube bleed line includes a reduced T-joint including a ramp through that extends above a reduced connection (e.g., 1 / 4 inch) that receives a second outlet passage (e.g., 1 / 4 inch tube) therethrough and receives a liquid and gas mixture from the collection chamber, and the second outlet passage extends to an air trap (as shown in FIG. 2). In such an arrangement, the mixture exits from the end of the second passage, the liquid is supplied by gravity to the bottom of the air trap, the gas flows upward through the annulus between the ID of the first passage and the OD of the second passage, and further flows into the bleed passage through a standard (e.g., 1 / 2 inch) branch connector.

[0024] By separating the gas from the second outlet passage 263, the potential for contamination can be reduced and the accuracy of the analysis can be improved. The fluid pressure within the second outlet passage 263 can be monitored, for example, using a pressure gauge 234 connected to the second outlet passage (e.g., using a T-joint 265). The separated gas can be monitored and / or controlled, for example, using a rotameter or other such flow monitor 294 that may include an integral regulating valve (e.g., a needle valve), not shown, for gas flow adjustment.

[0025] FIG. 4 shows another exemplary module 301 including a panel or substrate 302 on which module components are mounted (e.g., by brackets 305a - h as shown). In the exemplary module 301, the gas supply line 310 provides a connection (e.g., a pipe joint) to a gas source for supplying gas to a tank or cylinder 330. The gas supply line 310 includes a pressure regulator 311 (e.g., a regulating valve) and a check valve 312 to prevent backflow. The gas supply line 310 includes an appropriate joint 314 (e.g., a T-joint) for introducing liquid into the gas supply line and combining the gas and liquid for supply to the cylinder 330. In the illustrated example, the gas supply line T-joint 314 includes a ramp port 314a connected to the gas supply line 310, a first branch port 314b for connection to a liquid supply line (not shown), and a second branch port 314c connected to the cylinder 330.

[0026] The tank / cylinder 330 may be provided with a heater 340 for maintaining the collected fluid at a high temperature (e.g., about 40°C to about 80°C, or about 50°C), and a sparging arrangement (e.g., a bubbler or other sparger assembly, not shown) for mixing a gas with the liquid to evaporate a portion of the liquid and its components (e.g., VOC) and absorb them with the collected gas. The heater housing 345 may be mounted on the module substrate, for example, for insulation from the high temperature surface and / or user protection, and may enclose the cylinder 330 and the heater 340. Along with the evaporated components, the liquid and gas are discharged from the cylinder 330 through the outlet port 331. The T-joint 360 includes an inlet port 360a assembled to the cylinder outlet port 331 and a first outlet port 360b connected to a first outlet passage 362 for guiding the sample gas to an adjustment valve 380 (e.g., a needle valve). The adjustment valve 380 includes an end connection 381 for connecting to an analyzer supply line that supplies gas to an analyzer (not shown) for analyzing the content and composition of the material components extracted from the liquid sample.

[0027] The T-joint 360 guides the liquid by gravity through a second outlet port 360c connected to a second outlet passage 363 for drainage. The fluid pressure within the cylinder 330 is maintained at a positive pressure (e.g., about 100 - 500 kPa or about 100 - 200 kPa) by a water seal mechanism assembled to the second outlet passage 363 and configured to separate gas from the gas-liquid mixture discharged from the cylinder 330. The water seal mechanism 390 includes an air trap 391 (e.g., a float type air trap) installed in the second outlet passage 363 for separating the liquid and gas, and a double tube bleed line 392 (e.g., the double tube bleed line arrangement of FIG. 2) for passing the liquid through the second passage to the air trap 391 while diverting the separated gas through the first passage of the double tube bleed line 392 to a bleed passage 393.

[0028] In an exemplary embodiment, the dual tube bleed line includes a reduced T-joint that includes a ramp through that extends above a reduced connection (e.g., 1 / 4 inch) that receives the second outlet passage 363 (e.g., 1 / 4 inch tube) and receives a mixture of liquid and gas from the collection chamber, and the second outlet passage 363 extends to an air trap 391. In the air trap 391, the mixture exits from the end of the second passage, the liquid is supplied by gravity to the bottom of the air trap, the gas flows upward through the annulus between the ID of the first passage and the OD of the second passage, and further flows through a standard (e.g., 1 / 2 inch) branch connector to the bleed passage 393.

[0029] By separating the gas from the second outlet passage 363, the potential for contamination can be reduced and the accuracy of the analysis can be improved. The fluid pressure within the second outlet passage 363 can be monitored, for example, using a pressure gauge 334 connected to the second outlet passage (e.g., using a T-joint 365). The separated gas can be monitored and / or controlled, for example, using a rotameter or other such flow meter 394.

[0030] Aspects of the invention have been described with reference to exemplary embodiments. Modifications and variations will occur to others upon reading and understanding the specification. All such modifications and changes are intended to be included as long as they fall within the scope of the appended claims or their equivalents.

Claims

1. A collection chamber, A gas supply line for supplying pressurized gas to the collection chamber, A liquid supply line for supplying liquid to the collection chamber, A heater assembled to the collection chamber and configured to heat the pressurized gas and the liquid to an extraction temperature, wherein the collection chamber and the heater are configured to evaporate a portion of the liquid into the pressurized gas at the extraction temperature to form a sample gas, the heater; An outlet port extending from the collection chamber to a first outlet passage for delivering the sample gas to an analyzer and a second outlet passage for delivering a mixture of the liquid and gas to a drain port; A water seal mechanism assembled to the second outlet passage and configured to separate the gas from the mixture in the second outlet passage and maintain the mixture at a positive pressure; A sampling system comprising a pressure reducing mechanism assembled to the first outlet passage and configured to reduce the fluid pressure of the sample gas to render the sample gas unsaturated.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the pressure reducing mechanism comprises a regulating valve.

3. The system according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the pressure reducing mechanism comprises a needle valve.

4. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the water seal mechanism comprises an air trap.

5. The system according to claim 4, wherein the air trap is a float type air trap.

6. The system according to any one of claims 4 and 5, wherein the water seal mechanism includes a double tube bleed line defining a first passage for diverting the separated gas to a bleed passage and a second passage for guiding the liquid to the air trap.

7. The system according to claim 6, wherein the double tube bleed line comprises a T-joint having a bore for receiving a conduit defining the second passage, and the first passage is defined by an annulus between the inner diameter of the bore of the T-joint and the outer diameter of the conduit.

8. A method for analyzing a material component of a liquid sample, comprising: Supplying pressurized gas to a collection chamber; Supplying the liquid sample to the collection chamber; Heating the pressurized gas and the liquid sample to an extraction temperature; Injecting the pressurized gas into the liquid sample to evaporate the material component from the liquid sample into the pressurized gas to form a sample gas; Releasing a mixture of the liquid sample, the pressurized gas, and the sample gas from the collection chamber; Reducing the pressure of the sample gas to render the sample gas unsaturated; Conveying the depressurized sample gas to an analyzer; Separating the pressurized gas from the mixture and conveying the pressurized gas to a bleed port; Conveying the liquid sample to a drain port, the method comprising the above.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein reducing the pressure of the sample gas comprises conveying the sample gas through a regulating valve.

10. The method according to any one of claims 8 and 9, wherein reducing the pressure of the sample gas comprises conveying the sample gas through a needle valve.

11. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein reducing the pressure of the sample gas comprises reducing the pressure of the sample gas from a first pressure of about 100 kPa to about 200 kPa to a second pressure of approximately atmospheric pressure.

12. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the extraction temperature is from about 40 °C to about 80 °C.

13. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 12, wherein separating the pressurized gas from the mixture comprises conveying the mixture through an air trap.

14. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 12, wherein separating the pressurized gas from the mixture comprises conveying the mixture through a float type air trap.

15. Conveying the pressurized gas to the bleed port comprises conveying the gas through a first passage of a double tube bleed line, and conveying the liquid to the drain port comprises conveying the liquid through a second passage of the double tube bleed line, the method according to any one of claims 8 to 14.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the double tube bleed line comprises a T-joint having a bore for receiving a conduit defining the second passage, and the first passage is defined by an annulus between the inner diameter of the bore of the T-joint and the outer diameter of the conduit.

17. A collection chamber; A gas supply line for providing a pressurized gas to the collection chamber, the gas supply line comprising a pressure reducing regulator, a check valve, and a T-joint for introducing liquid into the gas supply line. A heater assembled to the collection chamber and configured to heat the pressurized gas and the liquid to the extraction temperature, wherein the collection chamber and the heater are configured to evaporate a portion of the liquid into the pressurized gas at the extraction temperature to form a sample gas, the heater; An outlet port extending to a first outlet passage for delivering the sample gas from the collection chamber to an analyzer and a second outlet passage for delivering a mixture of the liquid and the pressurized gas to a drain port; A water seal mechanism assembled to the second outlet passage and configured to separate the pressurized gas from the mixture in the second outlet passage and maintain the mixture at a positive pressure; A chemical substance extraction module comprising a pressure reducing mechanism assembled to the first outlet passage and configured to reduce the fluid pressure of the sample gas to bring the sample gas into an unsaturated state.

18. The chemical substance extraction module according to claim 17, further comprising a liquid supply line connected to the T-joint to provide the liquid to the gas supply line.

19. The chemical substance extraction module according to any one of claims 17 and 18, wherein the water seal mechanism includes an air trap and a double tube bleed line defining a first passage for diverting the separated gas to a bleed passage and a second passage for guiding the liquid to the air trap.

20. The chemical substance extraction module according to claim 19, wherein the double tube bleed line comprises a T-joint having a bore for receiving a conduit defining the second passage, and the first passage is defined by an annulus between the inner diameter of the bore of the T-joint and the outer diameter of the conduit.

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