Fluid Sampling Device with Expansion Chamber and Inert Gas Purging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid sampling devices face challenges in efficiently acquiring and purging fluid samples without releasing contaminants into the environment, particularly when dealing with liquefied gases, and often require external pressure sources to maintain sample fluid in a stable phase.
Innovation Solution
A fluid sampling device with a conduit system, expansion chamber, and booster pump, utilizing inert gases for purging and maintaining pressure, allows for closed-loop operations and efficient sample acquisition and purging, preventing environmental contamination and eliminating the need for external pressure sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If external pressure sources are used to maintain sample fluid stability, then sample fluid stability is improved, but device complexity and external dependencies increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the sample fluid's own phase change characteristics and the expansion chamber's pressure differential to drive flow and maintain stability, eliminating the need for external pressure sources. The fluid expands from liquid to vapor phase in the expansion chamber, creating natural pressure differential that drives circulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system exploits the phase transition of the sample fluid from liquid to vapor as it passes through the expansion chamber. This phase change creates the necessary pressure differential to drive fluid flow through the sampling device, replacing external pressure sources with intrinsic fluid properties.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If purging operations are performed to prevent environmental contamination, then environmental protection is improved, but risk of releasing contaminants increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces inert gas into the expansion chamber to create an inert atmosphere that prevents contaminants from being released into the environment during purging operations. The inert gas displaces and contains any residual sample fluid, ensuring safe containment throughout the purging process.
Solution Approach 2:
Inert gas acts as an intermediary substance between the sample fluid and the environment during purging. It mediates the displacement of sample fluid from the expansion chamber without allowing direct contact with the environment, thus preventing contaminant release while achieving thorough purging.
3Productivity
If expansion chamber is used for phase change and pressure differential creation, then sampling efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The expansion chamber is designed to facilitate phase transition of the sample fluid from liquid to vapor. This phase change creates a significant pressure differential that drives fluid flow through the sampling device, enabling efficient sampling without external pressure sources. The chamber volume is specifically designed to accommodate this expansion.
Solution Approach 2:
The sampling device is segmented into distinct functional zones: the expansion chamber for phase change, the conduit system for fluid transport, and the sampling point for sample collection. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently, with the expansion chamber dedicated to creating pressure differential through phase transition.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device effectively acquires representative fluid samples while preventing environmental contamination and maintaining sample fluid stability, enabling efficient sampling from external sources without independent pressure sources, and ensures safe handling of liquefied gases.
Implementation Method 1
inert gas from the inert gas source pushes fluid within the first and second conduits toward the inlet of the fluid source when the valve assembly is in the first position, thereby purging the first and second conduits
Implementation Method 2
an expansion chamber including an inlet and an outlet coupled to the first and second conduits by a valve assembly
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A fluid sampling device having a first conduit configured to couple an outlet of a fluid source to a sample inlet port; a second conduit configured to couple a sample outlet port to an inlet of the fluid source; an expansion chamber including an inlet and an outlet coupled to the first and second conduits by a valve assembly; and a pressure relief valve configured to couple the outlet of the expansion chamber to the inlet of the fluid source. The fluid sampling device facilitates acquisition of a fluid sample and subsequent purging of its internal components while inhibiting the release of sample fluid to the surrounding environment, thereby protecting the environment and sampling personnel from harmful chemical release. The fluid sampling device may facilitate a sample acquisition process that provides closed-loop flush and expansion operations for obtaining a representative sample at the appropriate fill density of the sample vessel.