Wet Gas Sampling Probe with Capillary Flow and Vaporizing Regulator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sampling systems for pressurized process gases with entrained liquids, such as natural gas, lack standards for obtaining representative samples, leading to operational and safety issues during transportation, and recent regulations require sampling without liquid rejection or filtration, posing challenges in complying with industry standards like API 14.1 and GPA 2166.
Innovation Solution
A unique sampling system that uses a linear-slot probe to capture a thin slice of the fluid stream at the center-third, incorporating a capillary passage for high velocity flow, and a modular vaporizing regulator with a separate power cord for vaporizing liquids, ensuring a single-phase gas sample without liquid rejection, compliant with revised BLM orders.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If membrane filters are used to reject liquids in the gas sample, then liquid-free gas is obtained for transportation, but compliance with new BLM regulations is violated and representative sampling is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts only the necessary function of liquid rejection from the sampling system by using a minimal membrane filter configuration that allows gas to pass while blocking liquids, thereby maintaining representative sampling without complete liquid rejection. This selective extraction resolves the contradiction by allowing compliance with BLM regulations while still protecting the transportation system from liquid damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operational parameters of the membrane filter by adjusting pore size, material composition, and filter positioning to achieve optimal balance between liquid rejection and gas flow. By modifying these parameters, the system can comply with BLM regulations for representative sampling while still providing sufficient liquid removal for safe transportation.
2Stability of the object's composition
If electrical heaters are added to prevent hydrocarbon condensation, then sample temperature is maintained above dew point, but electrical power requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies preliminary heating to the sample system components before the gas sample enters, pre-warming the membranes, filters, and tubing to above the hydrocarbon dew point. This preliminary action prevents condensation from occurring in the first place, eliminating or reducing the need for continuous electrical heating during sample transport, thereby reducing overall power consumption while maintaining sample stability.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If liquid rejection mechanisms are implemented, then operational safety during transportation is improved, but representative sampling of wet gas is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies partial liquid rejection by using a membrane filter with specific permeability characteristics that allow most gas components to pass freely while blocking only the liquid phase. This partial action is sufficient to prevent operational safety issues during transportation while maintaining the representative composition of the wet gas sample, as the filter does not selectively remove specific gas components that would affect measurement accuracy.
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 system effectively prevents sample disassociation and distortion, providing a representative single-phase gas sample for analysis, compliant with new BLM regulations, while eliminating the need for membrane filters and reducing electrical power requirements by using a separate power source.
Implementation Method 1
incorporating a capillary passage for high velocity flow
Implementation Method 2
a modular vaporizing regulator with a separate power cord for vaporizing liquids
Data Source
AI summary
A system for on-stream sampling of pressurized process gas such as natural gas or the like, said system optimized for use with pressurized process gas having liquid entrained therein, or otherwise referenced as “wet”. In the preferred embodiment, a probe and method of sampling is contemplated to provide a linear sample of fluids from a predetermined area of said fluid stream. Further taught is the method of preventing compositional disassociation of a gas sample having entrained liquid utilizing a probe having a passage formed to facilitate capillary action in fluid(s) passing therethrough. The present system further contemplates a unique modular vaporizing pressure regulator formed to electrically engage a tube bundle via a tube bundle boot mounted on the bracket of a modular sample system in order to dispense with the need for conduit normally required for a separate power cord.