Patent ID: 11921017
Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
Field: Measurement (Instruments)
Classification: CPC G | IPC G

Claim 17:
18. A method of collecting a sample from a non-homogenous fluid that is flowing through a pipeline comprising steps of:
delivering the non-homogenous fluid to a three-way four-port valve unit that comprises:
a valve housing and an inner valve member that is movably disposed within the valve housing between a plurality of positions, the inner valve member having a main valve body that has a first valve opening, a second valve opening opposite the first valve opening, a third valve opening and a fourth valve opening opposite the third valve opening; wherein the non-homogenous fluid flows into the third valve opening which is defined by a plurality of orifices that cause mixing of the non-homogenous fluid to generate a mixed homogenous fluid and the fourth valve opening has a lesser diameter that the third valve opening for increasing fluid pressure drop, fluid velocity, and fluid turbulence resulting in improved mixing of the non-homogenous fluid that exits through the fourth valve opening;

taking a sample of the mixed homogeneous fluid; and
reinjecting sampling waste back into the pipeline.