Sampling Device Using Inflatable Bag to Eliminate Pump Contamination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sampling devices for fluids face issues such as contamination, high costs, complex maintenance, and the need for bulky and expensive equipment, particularly in applications like chemical and petrochemical facilities, where they require precise calibration and risk causing explosions or fires.
Innovation Solution
A sampling apparatus that uses a sample bag with a means to physically expand its volume and create a vacuum, eliminating the need for pumps and auxiliary vacuum equipment, utilizing gravity, springs, compressed air, or hydraulic fluids as driving forces, and incorporating a flow control device to manage the sampling process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a sampling pump is used to draw gas into a sample bag, then the sampling process can be automated and extended period sampling is possible, but the gas contacts internal components of the pump and tubing which results in contamination of the sampled gas or loss of sample
Solution Approach 1:
The sampling system is divided into separate segments: a rigid sampling container with pump that remains isolated from the sampling environment, and a flexible sample bag that interfaces with the environment. This segmentation prevents contamination by ensuring the pump and tubing do not contact the sampled gas, while still enabling automated sampling through the isolated pump system.
Solution Approach 2:
A flexible sample bag acts as an intermediary between the sampling environment and the rigid sampling container with pump. The sample bag receives gas from the environment and transfers it to the container without the pump contacting the gas directly, thus preventing contamination while maintaining automated sampling capability.
2Device complexity
If direct sampling apparatus is used, then the equipment is less bulky and simpler, but the sampled gas is at risk of contamination and loss of sample components
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus is segmented into a rigid sampling container with pump and a flexible sample bag. This segmentation maintains relative simplicity while preventing contamination by ensuring the pump and tubing remain isolated from the sampled gas, and only the sample bag interfaces with the sampling environment.
Solution Approach 2:
A flexible sample bag is used as the interface with the sampling environment. The flexible membrane allows the bag to expand and contract while maintaining isolation between the pump system and the sampled gas, thus preventing contamination without requiring complex sealed rigid structures.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If indirect sampling apparatus with lung box is used, then contamination risk is reduced, but the equipment becomes more bulky and requires more auxiliary components
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible sample bag replaces the bulky rigid lung box structure. The flexible membrane provides the necessary volume change capability without requiring a large rigid container, thus reducing equipment bulk while maintaining the contamination protection benefits of indirect sampling.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is segmented into a compact rigid sampling container and a flexible sample bag, eliminating the need for a large lung box. This segmentation achieves contamination protection through isolation while significantly reducing the overall equipment footprint and auxiliary components required.
4Extent of automation
If conventional sampling pump system is used, then automated sampling is achieved, but high costs, complex maintenance, and calibration requirements arise
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible sample bag serves as a simple, low-cost alternative to complex pump systems. It enables automated sampling through its expansion mechanism while being inexpensive to manufacture, maintain, and calibrate compared to conventional sampling pumps, thus reducing operational costs and maintenance complexity.
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
This solution reduces contamination risks, lowers manufacturing and operational costs, simplifies maintenance, and allows for accurate sampling over various time periods without the need for expensive equipment, ensuring reliable and reproducible sample collection.
Implementation Method 1
means for physically expanding the volume of a sample bag and creating a vacuum or reduced pressure within the sample bag
Data Source
AI summary
Sampling devices are used to obtain samples of fluids to be analyzed and to determine the composition of the fluid in the sampled environment. A sampling apparatus with an inflatable sample bag used to collect and store liquid, air, vapor, and or gas samples by drawing the sample into the bag through an inlet, a sorbent tube, cassette, and/or other collection media is described. The means for extracting the sample and moving it into the sample bag comprises means for expanding the volume of a sample bag and creating a vacuum or reduced pressure within the sample bag. The means for expanding the include separating walls of a sample bag by use of gravity, pneumatic pressure, a biasing force, hydraulic force, for example or increasing the volume of a sample bag retaining container by such forces. Such sampling apparatuses do not require use of a sampling pump.