Liquid Block Probe for Wet Gas Sampling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for sampling pressurized natural gas with entrained liquids fail to prevent contamination and distortion of gas samples, leading to incorrect analysis and costly monetary exchanges, as they rely on surface tension, pressure differentials, and require bypass streams or draining, which are not environmentally friendly and can violate EPA regulations.
Innovation Solution
A liquid block probe is inserted into pressurized pipelines to prevent liquids from entering the sample system, using a physical block and optional coalescing elements to stop entrained liquids, with a stainless steel construction to withstand high pressures and no need for bypass or draining, ensuring a single gas phase sample or no sample at all, thus preventing contamination and distortion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If membrane-tipped probes with coalescing elements are used to shed entrained liquids, then liquid separation is improved, but liquids can still force through when differential pressure is exceeded
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the liquid removal function into two distinct mechanisms: coalescing elements for continuous mist/aerosol removal and a bypass stream with a drain for periodic drainage of accumulated liquids. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in its optimal function while working together to prevent liquid contamination.
Solution Approach 2:
The bypass stream acts as an intermediary pathway that allows liquids to be removed from the sample system without venting to atmosphere. The bypass connects the upstream side of the coalescing element to the drain, providing a controlled intermediate route for liquid removal that maintains system pressure while preventing contamination.
2Reliability
If viewable level indicators with floats/valves are used outside pressurized pipelines, then large slugs of liquid can be stopped, but aerosols and mist cannot be stopped
Solution Approach 1:
The device merges two previously separate functions into one integrated probe: the liquid blocking capability of viewable level indicators and the coalescing capability of membrane-tipped probes. The coalescing element is positioned upstream within the probe to handle aerosols and mist, while the bypass stream and drain mechanism handle larger liquid slugs, creating a comprehensive liquid removal system.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from external indicators mounted outside the pipeline to an internal probe insertion system. The probe is inserted through the pipeline wall into the pressurized flow, allowing the coalescing element and bypass stream to operate directly within the high-velocity gas stream where liquids are entrained, rather than attempting to intercept them externally.
3Reliability
If bypass streams or draining are used to remove liquids, then liquid removal is achieved, but valuable process sample is vented to atmosphere or drained on ground
Solution Approach 1:
The device converts the harmful effect of entrained liquids into a beneficial separation process. The bypass stream and drain system is designed to selectively remove liquids while allowing gas to continue flowing through the main sample path. The separated liquids are collected in a trap where they can be periodically drained, while the cleaned gas sample proceeds to analysis without loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The system discards only the harmful liquid portion of the multiphase flow while recovering and preserving the valuable gas sample. The bypass stream separates liquids from the gas stream, allowing liquids to be drained from the trap while the gas sample continues through the analysis system intact, maximizing sample utilization and minimizing waste.
4Reliability
If coalescing elements are used for liquid separation, then mist and aerosol removal is improved, but temperature limitations restrict their operation
Solution Approach 1:
The bypass stream acts as a thermal intermediary that protects the coalescing element from extreme temperatures. By providing an alternative pathway for liquid removal that does not pass through the coalescing element, the bypass allows the system to handle high-temperature applications where the coalescing element might be damaged, while still achieving effective liquid separation through the drain mechanism.
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 liquid block probe effectively prevents liquids from entering the sample system, ensuring accurate analysis, reducing costly downtime, and compliance with industry standards without venting or draining process fluids, thus protecting the sample system from contamination and distortion.
Implementation Method 1
The liquid block probe effectively prevents liquids from entering the sample system, ensuring accurate analysis
Implementation Method 2
using a physical block and optional coalescing elements to stop entrained liquids
Implementation Method 3
with a stainless steel construction to withstand high pressures
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid block apparatus integrated into a sample probe that is inserted into the pressurized process to prevent entrained liquids from entering the probe and being extracted for sampling. The present invention enhances sampling of pressurized process fluids for on-stream and spot sampling of pressurized process fluid such as natural gas or the like, particularly pressurized process gas having liquid entrained therein, or otherwise referenced as multiphase or “wet”.