Patent ID: 9239275
Filing Date: 2016-01-19
CPC Classification: G01N

Claim Text:
1. A direct line sampling system comprising: a flow line for a process flow including particles therein; a diluent flush line for a diluent; a sampling valve structure disposed in the flow line and including a sampling chamber with a substantially fixed volume, the sampling valve structure having a first position in which the sampling chamber is in communication with the flow line so as to provide a path for the process flow through the sampling chamber and so as to capture a sample from the process flow when the sampling valve structure switches to a second position in which the chamber is in communication with the diluent flush line so as to flush the sample of the process flow from the chamber; a mixing chamber disposed downstream of the diluent flush line and configured to mix the sample with the diluent so as to dilute the sample; an outlet line extending in a first direction from an outlet port of the mixing chamber; an analysis instrument disposed in the outlet line and configured to analyze particles in the diluted sample of the process flow; and a diluent control line including an outlet supply port disposed in fluid communication with the outlet line upstream of the analysis instrument and configured to supply diluent in a direction opposite the first direction of the outlet line so as to regulate the flow of the particles through the outlet line and to the analysis instrument.