Patent ID: 6920802
Filing Date: 2005-07-26
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
1. Apparatus for use in detecting a surface-active corrosion inhibitor additive in a petroleum gas sample withdrawn from a generally inaccessible pressurized feedstream traveling in a high pressure gas transmission pipeline through standard gas sampling means that is in communication with the pressurized feedstream to withdraw the gas sample out of line of the pressurized feedstream, the apparatus comprising: a. a pre-calibrated compact and manually portable adsorption trap in fluid communication with the standard gas sampling means out of line of the pressurized feedstream, the adsorption trap containing a predetermined charge of a uniformly porous and closely-packed plug of adsorption material that selectively removes from the gas sample entrained surface-active corrosion inhibitor contacting the adsorption material, and that reduces the pressure to substantially atmospheric pressure at the downstream end of the trap, the adsorption trap having an upstream inlet port for receiving the gas sample from the sampling means at the feedstream pressure and a downstream outlet port for discharging the gas sample at substantially atmospheric pressure after passing through the adsorption material, the charge of adsorption material being retained in a trap body and having uniform gas flow and distribution properties, the adsorption material being fixedly retained between the inlet and outlet ports, said trap having access means for removing and replacing the adsorption material; and b. at least one control valve positioned downstream of the trap body for establishing a uniform gas flow through the adsorption trap body.