Patent ID: 7866222
Filing Date: 2011-01-11
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
1. A mobile vacuum sampling system comprising: (a) an inlet; (b) a first filter; (c) a gas sample vacuum pump; (d) a solenoid valve; (e) a sample tube; (f) a pressure gauge; (g) a first block valve; (h) a second filter; (i) a micro filter; (j) a gasifier; (k) a gas analyzer; and (l) a computational, recording and/or analysis display device; wherein the first filter is a membrane filter situated between the inlet and the gas sample vacuum pump; wherein a natural gas stream enters the gas sample vacuum pump via the inlet and is compressed to between 3 and 5 psig; wherein the solenoid valve is situated directly adjacent to the gas sample vacuum pump; wherein the solenoid valve and gas sample vacuum pump are controlled by an electrical switch; wherein when the solenoid valve is only open when the gas sample vacuum pump is on and pumping gas through the system; wherein when the vacuum pump is turned off, the solenoid valve is closed and prevents natural gas from flowing back through the compressor; wherein the sample tube is located downstream of the solenoid valve; wherein the sample tube collects natural gas to be analyzed; wherein the pressure gauge is situated downstream of the sample tube and gauges the pressure in the sample tube; wherein the purpose of the first block valve is to allow pressure to build in the sample tube prior to analysis of a natural gas sample; wherein the system comprises a highest physical point; wherein the second filter is a membrane filter situated downstream of the sample tube and at the highest physical point in the system; wherein the micro filter is located downstream of the second filter and upstream of the gasifier; wherein the micro filter removes solid particles from the natural gas stream prior to the stream entering the gas analyzer; wherein the gasifier is situated downstream of the micro filter and ensures that any natural gas entering the gas analyzer is in gaseous phase; wherein the gas analyzer is situated downstream of the gasifier; wherein the gas analyzer is portable; wherein the gas analyzer analyzes gas samples from the sample tube; and wherein the entire system is contained within a truck or other mobile unit.