Method and system for hydrocarbon sampling device

A portable hydrocarbon sampling device may include a first housing with a first bore, a valve housing with a second bore coupled to the first housing, and a cross-flow housing with a third bore coupled to the valve housing to form a continuous flow path. The valve housing includes a valve to open and close the second bore. A cross bore may be coupled to the cross-flow housing, and is perpendicular to the third bore. A probe may be disposed within the continuous flow path and in fluid communication with the cross bore. An actuator housing may be coupled to the cross-flow housing. The actuator housing may include an actuator to extend into the probe. A sampling container fluidly may be coupled to the cross bore at end distal to the cross-flow housing. The sampling container may be configured to collect the fluids from the probe.

BACKGROUND

In the oil and gas industry, hydrocarbon sampling may refer to taking samples of hydrocarbons in the field for analysis to determine various fluid properties. Accurately sampling hydrocarbons, such as, crude oil and natural gas, in the field for laboratory analysis is critical to ensuring product quality and regulations are being meet and maintained.

Typically, samples of the hydrocarbons are taken while the hydrocarbons are flowing, such as when the hydrocarbons are being transported through a pipeline. Conventional hydrocarbon sampling devices may require cumbersome installation with a major expense for long term use. Thus, not all pipelines cannot accommodate conventional hydrocarbon sampling devices installation because of congested area, inadequate pipe straight length, cost, and other factors. Additionally, the conventional hydrocarbon sampling devices may have to be routinely maintained such as preventive maintenance, obsolescence replacement program, inspections, and other non-productive time (NPT) operations. Therefore, conventional methods make it impractical to provide conventional hydrocarbon sampling devices in certain pipelines as long-term expenses may be greatly increased as well as increase the day-to-day operating expenses.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, the embodiments herein relate to a method for conducting a hydrocarbon sampling operation on a pipeline. The Method may include removably coupling a portable hydrocarbon sampling device to the pipeline to access a vent of the pipeline; actuating an actuator of the portable hydrocarbon sampling device in a first direction to extend a probe of the portable hydrocarbon sampling device into a bore of the pipeline through the vent; drawing hydrocarbons flowing in the bore into the probe and pushing the hydrocarbons up the probe and into a cross bore with a differential pressure between the bore and a sampling container fluidly coupled to the cross bore; and obtaining a hydrocarbon sample by collecting the hydrocarbons in the sampling container.

In another aspect, the embodiments herein relate to a portable hydrocarbon sampling device. The portable hydrocarbon sampling device may include a first housing with a first bore; a valve housing with a second bore coupled to the first housing, the valve housing comprises a valve to open and close the second bore; a cross-flow housing with a third bore coupled to the valve housing, wherein the first bore, the second bore, and the third bore form a continuous flow path; a cross bore coupled to the cross-flow housing, wherein the cross bore is perpendicular to the third bore; a probe disposed within the continuous flow path and in fluid communication with the cross bore; an actuator housing coupled to the cross-flow housing, the actuator housing comprises an actuator to extend into the probe; and a sampling container fluidly coupled to the cross bore at end distal to the cross-flow housing, the sampling container is configured to collect the fluids from the probe.

In yet another aspect, the embodiments herein relate to a system that may include a pipeline defining a bore with hydrocarbons flowing therein, the pipeline includes a plurality of vents; and a portable hydrocarbon sampling device removably coupled to the pipeline at a location of a vent of the plurality of vents. The portable hydrocarbon sampling device may include a first housing with a first bore and an opening coaxial with the vent; a valve housing with a second bore coupled on top of the first housing, the valve housing comprises a valve to open and close the second bore; a cross-flow housing with a third bore coupled on top of the valve housing, the first bore, the second bore, and the third bore form a continuous flow path in fluid communication with the bore; a cross bore coupled to the cross-flow housing, the cross bore is perpendicular to the third bore; a probe disposed within the continuous flow path and in fluid communication with the cross bore and bore; an actuator housing coupled on top of the cross-flow housing, the actuator housing includes an actuator configured to extend the probe into the bore; and a sampling container fluidly coupled to the cross bore at end distal to the cross-flow housing, the sampling container is configured to collect the hydrocarbons from the probe.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In general, embodiments of the disclosure include systems and methods for retrieving hydrocarbon samples with a portable hydrocarbon sampling device. In some embodiments, the portable hydrocarbon sampling device may be installed along a pipeline to retrieve samples of hydrocarbons flowing through the pipeline. For example, a housing of the portable hydrocarbon sampling device may be installed over a vent of the pipeline to fluidly couple a sampling container of the portable hydrocarbon sampling device to a bore of the pipeline. Additionally, a probe of the portable hydrocarbon sampling device extends into the bore to retrieve the hydrocarbon samples. Additionally, a valve of the portable hydrocarbon sampling device may direct fluid flow within the portable hydrocarbon sampling device to the collect the hydrocarbon samples in the sampling container. Further, the portable hydrocarbon sampling device may include a double block and bleed along with pressure monitoring to increase safety measures within the portable hydrocarbon sampling device.

In one or more embodiments, the portable hydrocarbon sampling device according to embodiments herein may include two or more housings. The two or more housings may include, for example, a first housings having a flow bore or passage therethrough, including an inlet and an outlet end, as well as a second housings having a flow bore or passage therethrough, including an inlet and an outlet end. The two or more housings may also include cross-bores, such as for insertion of valve elements or to connect to additional flow components.

Conventional methods are limited by pre-installed sampling points at fixed points on the pipeline. However, conventional methods are inaccurate at lowest points of the pipeline as well as only being able to acquire samples with conventional hydrocarbon sampling devices at a 3 or 6 o-clock position on the pipeline. However, by using the portable hydrocarbon sampling device disclosed herein, some embodiments may use any vent on a pipeline to access the bore to retrieve hydrocarbon samples. Additionally, the portable hydrocarbon sampling device may advantageously retrieve hydrocarbon samples at any position on the pipeline ranging from a bottom of the pipeline to a top of the pipeline. Thus, the portable hydrocarbon sampling device provides a flexible, safe, reliable and portable sampling method.

Turning toFIG.1,FIG.1shows a schematic cross-sectional diagram in accordance with one or more embodiments. As shown inFIG.1, a bore2defined by a pipeline1may have fluids flowing therein. For example, hydrocarbons, such as crude oil and natural gas, may flow (see arrow F) through the bore2. Additionally, the pipeline1may include a plurality of vents (3) along the length of the pipeline1. For example purposes, only one vent3is shown inFIG.1. The vent3may be used as an access point for a vent valve5to be installed on the pipeline1. The vent valve5may be removably coupled to an outer surface6of the pipeline1to cover and prevent debris from entering the pipeline1at the vent3. With the vent valve5, the vent3may allow for air trapped in the pipeline1to be released. For example, an actuation device5a, such as a hand wheel, of the vent valve5is actuated to release air out of the pipeline1through the vent valve5.

Retrieving a sample of the hydrocarbons plays an important role to determine if the quality of the hydrocarbons is meeting governmental and product requirements. The hydrocarbon sample represents a portion of the product to test for the water, oil, contaminants, and other fluid proprieties. The hydrocarbon sample plays a pivotal role in hydrocarbon sales as a small error may result in the loss of the product. Thus, to correctly represent the product of the hydrocarbons, samples should be taken from the pipeline1in flowing conditions.

To retrieve hydrocarbon samples, a portable hydrocarbon sampling device100may be removably fixed to the pipeline1. The pipeline1(or a section of the pipeline with the vent3) is above ground, thereby having the pipeline exposed so that the portable hydrocarbon sampling device100may be coupled to the pipeline1to cover the vent3. In one or more embodiments, when the pipeline1is underground (i.e., a buried pipeline), an excavation operation may be conducted to expose the pipeline1so that the portable hydrocarbon sampling device100may be coupled to the pipeline1. In some embodiments, the buried pipeline may be designed to have portions of the pipeline1above ground to expose the vent3of the pipeline1to an atmosphere to allow the portable hydrocarbon sampling device100cover the vent3.

In one or more embodiments, the portable hydrocarbon sampling device100may be removably coupled to the pipeline1. For example, a first housing101of the portable hydrocarbon sampling device100is disposed on top of the vent valve5. A bottom end of the first housing101may be removably coupled a top end of the vent valve5via mechanical fasteners4, such as threaded connections, bolts, nuts, screws, studs, magnets, adhesives, and other type of non-permanent fasteners. The vent valve5may be in a closed position when the first housing101is installed to provide a safety measure and not expose the fluids within the pipeline1. Alternatively, if there is no vent valve5, the first housing101is directly coupled to the outer surface6over the vent3. One skilled in the art will appreciate how the portable hydrocarbon sampling device100may be installed on any vent3along the pipeline1.

As illustrated inFIG.1, the portable hydrocarbon sampling device100may include multiple housings, including a first housing101, a valve housing102, a cross-flow housing103, and an actuator housing104. The first housing101may be coupled to the pipeline1, the valve housing102may be coupled on top of the first housing101, the cross-flow housing103may be coupled on top of the valve housing102, and the actuator housing104may be coupled on top of the cross-flow housing103. Each of the housings (101-104) may have flanges105such that adjacent housings may be connected the corresponding housing with the flanges105. The flanges105may be coupled together via mechanical fasteners, such as threaded connections, bolts, nuts, screws, studs, magnets, adhesives, and other type of non-permanent fasteners. Additionally, a continuous flow path106(internal) from the first housing101to the cross-flow housing103may be provided. Additionally, the continuous flow path106also includes the bore of the vent valve5. The continuous flow path106may be coaxial with the vent3.

In some embodiments, the first housing101may have an opening108to seal around the vent valve5. The opening108may be centered about the vent valve5. The valve housing102includes a valve120in fluid communication with the continuous flow path106. The valve120may be an isolation valve, such as a gate, globe, ball, or butterfly valve, to stop or start a flow within the portable hydrocarbon sampling device100. The valve120is shown in an open position inFIG.1to allow flow.

The cross-flow housing103may include a cross bore123intersecting with the continuous flow path106. Valve elements124,125,126may be disposed within the cross bore123to form a double block and bleed valve configuration. The valve elements124and126may be block valves and the valve element125may be a bleed valve. The double block and bleed valve configuration may be used to ensure that there is zero pressure when a sampling container122containing a fluid sample128is removed. By having the pressure at zero within the sampling container122, the sampling container122may be safely removed without the risk of a pressure blowout. The sampling container122may be coupled to an end of the cross bore123distal to the cross-flow housing103. The sampling container122may be any type of storage device to hold fluids, such as a tank or bottle. It is further envisioned that the sampling container122includes a check valve to ensure the fluid sample128does not flow back into the cross bore123. Further, the sampling container122may include a seal to hermetically seal the sampling container122from a surrounding environment to avoid contaminating the fluid sample128. The valve elements124and126may be used to block both an upstream and downstream in the cross bore123, and then the valve element125may be used bleed any pressure that remains in the cross bore123.

In some embodiments, a pressure gauge or sensor127may be attached to the cross bore123to continuously monitor the pressure within the cross-flow housing103. The pressure sensor127may be used to determine when the sampling container122is full. For example, once the pressure sensor127reads a pressure equivalent to a pressure within the pipeline1, the sampling container122is then full and a user can determine that the fluid sample128is collected. With the fluid sample128collected, the valve elements124and126may be used to block both an upstream and downstream in the cross bore123, and then the valve element125may be used bleed any pressure that remains in the cross bore123to ensure that there is zero pressure. After confirming there is zero pressure in the cross bore123via the pressure sensor127, the user may remove the sampling container122and send the collected fluid sample to a laboratory for analysis.

In one or more embodiments, an actuator109of the actuator housing104may include a torque connection110(e.g., a hand wheel or a portable pneumatic/electric actuator=) and a rod111attached to the actuator housing104via a cap112. Additionally, a bottom plate113of the actuator109may be attached to the flange105of the cross-flow housing103. Guide rods114may extend upward from the bottom plate113to a top plate115. Additionally, the guide rods114may include various locking devices114asuch a notch or ledge to lock the top plate115at a certain height thereby limiting a distance the rod111may axially travel upward or downward. The top plate115may be locked at height on the guide rods114based on a size of the pipeline1(i.e., the inner diameter of the pipeline1). Top threads117of the rod111may be threadedly coupled to a center block116of the top plate115. Bottom threads118of the rod111may be threadedly coupled to the cap112.

Still referring toFIG.1, a probe107extends downward from the actuator housing104through the continuous flow path106and the opening108in the first housing101to enter the pipeline1via the vent3. The probe107may be coupled to an actuation plate119within the actuator housing104. The probe107extends downward from the actuation plate119into the continuous flow path106. The probe107includes an inlet nozzle121to receive fluids from the pipeline1. The inlet nozzle121may be angled from the opening108to face the fluid flow within the pipeline1. The inlet nozzle121may extent to reach any depth/level inside the pipeline1. It is further envisioned that the inlet nozzle121may include a position sensor121a, such as a depth encoder, to determine when the inlet nozzle121reaches a required depth within the pipeline1. The required depth may be based on a composition of the fluids within the pipeline1to avoid less water entering the fluid sample128. For example, the torque connection110is torqued to axially move the rod111downward or upward causing the actuation plate119to move thereby moving the probe107to position the inlet nozzle121at the required depth. The torque connection110may be manually or automatically torqued.

In one or more embodiments, as the rod111axially moves downward, the actuation plate119axially moves downward to extend the probe107into the pipeline1until the inlet nozzle121reaches the required depth. The position sensor121amay send an alert when the required depth is reached or missed. The rod111may be axially moved upward or further downward to adjust the depth of the inlet nozzle121until the position sensor121asends the alert that the required depth is reached. With the inlet nozzle121at the required depth in the pipeline1, fluids may flow from the pipeline1and into the probe107based on a differential pressure between the pipeline1and the sampling container122. Based on the differential pressure the fluids travel up the probe107and into the cross bore123to enter the sampling container122as the fluid sample128. Once the sampling container122is filled with the fluid sample128and the pressure sensor127reads a pressure equivalent to the pressure within the pipeline1, the valve elements124and126may be actuated to stop flow within the cross bore123. With the flow stopped, the sampling container122may be detached from the cross bore123, sealed, and transported to a laboratory for analysis. In some embodiments, if there is no pressure in the pipeline1, a suction device129may be attached to the valve element125to allow samples to be taken from the pipeline1at zero pressure. For example, the suction device129may be a vacuum tanker to drawn fluids from the pipeline1into the sampling container122.

Referring toFIG.2, is a flowchart showing a method of using the portable hydrocarbon sampling device (100) ofFIG.1to conduct a hydrocarbon sampling operation. One or more blocks inFIG.2may be performed a work at the site of pipeline (1) or by one or more components (e.g., a computing system coupled to a controller in communication with the portable hydrocarbon sampling device100). For example, a non-transitory computer readable medium may store instructions on a memory coupled to a processor such that the instructions include functionality for conducting the hydrocarbon sampling operation. While the various blocks inFIG.2are presented and described sequentially, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that some or all of the blocks may be executed in different orders, may be combined or omitted, and some or all of the blocks may be executed in parallel. Furthermore, the blocks may be performed actively or passively.

In Block200, a vent of a pipeline is located based on when a hydrocarbon sample is needed. For example, if the hydrocarbon sample is need after a certain amount distance or time the hydrocarbon is flowing in the pipeline, the vent nearest to the position of the pipeline corresponding to the distance or time at which the hydrocarbon sample is need is located. The hydrocarbon sample may be taken at a vent of the pipeline approximate a transfer point where the hydrocarbon exiting the pipeline and being transfer to another location (e.g., work facilities, power plants, storage tanks, another pipeline, and other locations needing hydrocarbons). In some embodiments, if the pipeline is buried, an excavation operation may be conducted to remove portions of land above the pipeline to expose the pipeline.

In Block201, a portable hydrocarbon sampling device is removably coupled to the pipeline at the located vent. For example, the portable hydrocarbon sampling device may be removably coupled to a vent valve on an outer surface of the pipeline. The vent valve covers the vent and allows air trapped in the pipeline to escape. The vent valve provides a conduit to place the portable hydrocarbon sampling device in fluid communication with the pipeline. The portable hydrocarbon sampling device may be transported to the location of the vent fully assembled.

As shown in Block202, in some embodiments, each component of the portable hydrocarbon sampling device may be assembled on site at the location of the vent. For example, a first housing of the portable hydrocarbon sampling device is coupled to the vent valve via mechanical fasteners, such as threaded connections, bolts, nuts, screws, studs, magnets, adhesives, and other type of non-permanent fasteners. An opening of the first housing may be centered on the vent valve which is coaxial with the vent. Additionally, a bore of the first housing is fluidly coupled to a bore of the vent valve.

Next, a valve housing may be coupled on top of the first housing. For example, lower flanges of the valve housing mate on top of the flanges of the first housing and a mechanical fastener, such as threaded connections, bolts, nuts, screws, studs, magnets, adhesives, and other type of non-permanent fasteners, may be used to couple the flanges together. Additionally, the valve housing may be coaxially with the first housing. Further, the valve housing may be installed with the valve in the closed position. With the valve housing installed on the first housing, a cross-flow housing may be coupled on top of the valve housing. For example, bottom flanges of the cross-flow housing mate on top of upper flanges of the valve housing and a mechanical fastener, such as threaded connections, bolts, nuts, screws, studs, magnets, adhesives, and other type of non-permanent fasteners, may be used to couple the flanges together. Additionally, the cross-flow housing may be coaxially with the valve housing.

With the first housing, the valve housing, and the cross-flow housing being coaxially, a continuous flow path is formed to fluidly communicate with a bore of the pipeline via the vent valve and the vent. Additionally, a cross bore is coupled to the cross-flow housing to be perpendicular to and in fluid communication with the continuous flow path. Further, the cross bore may have a double block and bleed valve configuration. A pressure sensor may be attached to the cross bore to monitor pressure in the cross bore. At an end of the cross bore distal to the cross-flow housing, a sampling container is provided to collect hydrocarbon samples.

Next, the valve of the valve housing is moved to the open position so that an actuator housing may be coupled on top of the cross-flow housing and a probe extending from the actuator housing is inserted into the continuous flow path. For example, bottom flanges of the actuator housing mate on top of upper flanges of the cross-flow housing and a mechanical fastener, such as threaded connections, bolts, nuts, screws, studs, magnets, adhesives, and other type of non-permanent fasteners, may be used to couple the flanges together. Additionally, the probe may be coupled to an actuation plate of the actuator housing. Further, an inlet nozzle of the probe extends into the pipeline to provide fluid conduit from the bore of the pipeline to the sampling container. Additionally, an actuator may be coupled the actuator housing. For example, a bottom plate of the actuator may be coupled to the upper flanges of the cross-flow housing. Guide rods extend upward from the bottom plate to a top plate where the top plate guides a torque connection (e.g., a hand wheel) and a rod to the actuator housing via a cap. Additionally, the top plate may be locked at height on the guide rods based on a size (i.e., the inner diameter) of the pipeline. For example, the top plate may be locked on various locking devices, such a notch or ledge, of the guide rods at a certain height thereby limiting a distance the rod may axially travel upward or downward.

In Block203, with the portable hydrocarbon sampling device removably coupled to the pipeline, the actuator is actuated to extend the probe. For example, the torque connection is torqued in a first direction to move the rod axially downward which is turn moves the actuation plate within the actuator housing axially downward. The actuation plate moves the probe downward to position an inlet nozzle of the probe within the bore of the pipeline.

In Block204, the position of the inlet nozzle is checked to ensure that a required depth is reached via a position sensor coupled to the inlet nozzle. The required depth may be based on a composition of the fluids within the pipeline to avoid less water being collected. If the inlet nozzle has not reached the position, the position sensor will send an alert to a user to repeat Block203to adjust the position of the inlet nozzle. For example, the torque connection is torqued in the first direction or a second direction to move the rod axially downward or upward to move the actuation plate thereby moving the probe in the corresponding direction. Once the position of the inlet nozzle reached the required depth, the position sensor will send an alert to procced to Block205.

In Block205, with the inlet nozzle at the required depth, hydrocarbons from the bore of pipeline are drawn into the probe via a differential pressure between the bore and the sampling container. The inlet nozzle may be angled to face against a direction of flow within the bore to receive the hydrocarbons. With hydrocarbons entering the probe via the inlet nozzle, the hydrocarbons travel up the probe, into the cross bore, and collected into the sampling container. In some embodiments, if the pressure in the pipeline is zero, a suction device, such as a vacuum tanker, may be attached to the bleed valve to allow samples to be taken from the pipeline at zero pressure. For example, the suction device may be operated to drawn fluids from the pipeline into the sampling container via a suction force.

In Block206, as the hydrocarbons are being collected in the sampling container, a pressure in the sampling container is measured, with a pressure sensor attached to the cross bore, to determine if the pressure equivalent to a pressure within the pipeline. If the measured pressure is not equivalent, the method may repeat Block205. Once the measure pressure does become equivalent, the sampling container is now full with the collected hydrocarbon samples, as shown in Block207.

In Block208, with the hydrocarbon samples collected within the sampling container, the two block valves may be moved to a closed position to stop flow both upstream and downstream in the cross bore, and then the bleed valve between the two block valves is opened to bleed the pressure within the cross bore to reach zero pressure. Additionally, before closing the two block valves, the vent valve is closed to prevent an more fluids from the pipeline entering the portable hydrocarbon sampling device. The pressure sensor is further used to determine if the pressure has reached zero. If the pressure has not reached zero, the bleed valve continues to bleed the pressure.

In Block209, once the pressure has reached and if confirmed by the pressure sensor, the sampling container is removed off the cross bore and sent to a laboratory for analysis. For example, the two block valves may be closed so that the sampling container may be decoupled off the cross bore. In some embodiments, a second sampling container may be coupled to the distal end of the cross bore to repeat Blocks203-209if more hydrocarbon samples are required. However, if no more hydrocarbon samples are required, the portable hydrocarbon sampling device may be disassembled to be stored or sent to another location to take further hydrocarbon samples at different vent of the pipeline.

Now referringFIGS.3-10, in one or more embodiments,FIGS.3-10illustrate a system of implementing the method described in the flowchart ofFIG.2using the portable hydrocarbon sampling device (100) ofFIG.1. As shown inFIG.3, in an initial step, the vent3of pipeline1is located to determine where the portable hydrocarbon sampling device is to be installed. In some embodiments, the vent valve5may be installed on the vent3.

Now turning toFIG.4, with the vent3located, the first housing101of the portable hydrocarbon sampling device (100) is removably coupled to the vent valve5on an outer surface6of the pipeline1. The mechanical fasteners4, such as threaded connections, bolts, nuts, screws, studs, magnets, adhesives, and other types of non-permanent fasteners, may be used to removably couple a bottom end of the first housing101to a top end of the vent valve5. Additionally, the opening108of the first housing101may be centered on the vent valve5to have a bore101aof the first housing101coaxial with the vent3.

As shown inFIG.5, the valve housing102may be coupled on top of the first housing101. The lower flanges105bof the valve housing102mate on top of the upper flanges150aof the first housing101and a mechanical fastener4a, such as threaded connections, bolts, nuts, screws, studs, magnets, adhesives, and other type of non-permanent fasteners, may be used to couple the flanges (105a-b) together. Additionally, a bore102aof the valve housing102is aligned to be coaxially with the bore101aof the first housing101. Further, the valve120of the valve housing102may be in a closed position to ensure no fluids exit the portable hydrocarbon sampling device (100) during assembly.

Referring toFIG.6, with the valve housing102installed on the first housing101, the cross-flow housing103may be coupled on top of the valve housing102. The bottom flanges105dof the cross-flow housing103mate on top of the upper flanges105cof the valve housing102. The mechanical fastener4bmay be used to couple the flanges (105c-d) together. Additionally, a bore103aof the cross-flow housing103is aligned to be coaxial with the bore102aof the valve housing102. With the first housing101, the valve housing102, and the cross-flow housing130being coaxially aligned, the corresponding bores (101a,102a,103a) of each housing (101,102,103) form the continuous flow path106in fluid communication with the bore2of the pipeline1via the vent3.

Still referring toFIG.6, the cross bore123is coupled to the cross-flow housing103to be perpendicular to the bore103aand in fluid communication with the continuous flow path106. The cross bore123may include the valve elements124,125,126to form a double block and bleed valve configuration. For example, valve elements124and126may be block valves while valve element125may be a bleed valve. The valve elements124and126may be used to block both an upstream and downstream in the cross bore123, and then the valve element125may be used bleed any pressure that remains in the cross bore123. Additionally, the sampling container122may be coupled to an end of the cross bore123distal to the cross-flow housing103. For example, an end of the sampling container122may include threads to be threaded onto corresponding threads of the end of the cross bore123. Further, the pressure sensor127may be attached to the cross bore123, between valve elements124and126, to continuously monitor the pressure within the cross-flow housing103to ensure required pressures are maintained.

Now referring toFIG.7, the valve120of the valve housing102is moved to the open position so that the continuous flow path106is open. The actuator housing104may be coupled on top of the cross-flow housing103. For example, bottom flanges105fof the actuator housing104mate on top of upper flanges105eof the cross-flow housing103. A mechanical fastener4c, such as threaded connections, bolts, nuts, screws, studs, magnets, adhesives, and other type of non-permanent fasteners, may be used to couple the flanges105e-ftogether. Additionally, the probe107is inserted into the continuous flow path106to extend downward from the actuator housing104and the inlet nozzle121enters the bore2of the pipeline1. The probe107provides a fluid conduit from the bore of the pipeline to the sampling container

In one or more embodiment, the actuator109may be coupled to the actuator housing104. For example, the bottom plate113of the actuator109may be coupled to a surface of the upper flanges105eof the cross-flow housing104opposite a surface of the upper flanges105emated with the bottom flanges105fof the actuator housing104. Additionally, the mechanical fastener4cmay also be used to couple the bottom plate113to the upper flanges105eof the cross-flow housing104. From the bottom plate113, the guide rods114extend upward to the top plate115. Additionally, the top plate115is positioned at a height on the guide rods114. For example, the top plate115may be locked on various locking devices114aof the guide rods114thereby limiting a distance the rod111may axially travel upward or downward. The height at which the top plate115is positioned may be based on a size (i.e., the inner diameter) of the pipeline1. At the top plate, the torque connection (e.g., a hand wheel)110and the rod111are installed to be operationally coupled to the actuator housing104via the cap112.

As shown inFIGS.8and9, with the portable hydrocarbon sampling device100assembled and removably coupled to the pipeline1, the actuator109is actuated to move the probe107and extend the inlet nozzle121into the bore2to reach the required depth. For example, the torque connection110is torqued in one direction (see Arrow R) to move the rod111axially downward (See arrow D) which is turn moves the actuation plate119downward thereby extending the inlet nozzle121into the bore. The inlet nozzle121may further include the position sensor121a, such as a depth encoder, to determine when the inlet nozzle121reaches a required depth within the pipeline1. The required depth may be based on a composition of the fluids within the pipeline1to avoid less water entering the fluid sample128.FIG.8illustrates an example of where the inlet nozzle121is positioned along an axis of the bore2.FIG.9illustrates an example of where the inlet nozzle121is positioned at a lowest point in the bore2.

Now turning toFIG.10, an example of actuating the actuator109in a reverse direction (Arrow R′) is illustrated. For example, the torque connection is torqued in the reverse direction (Arrow R′) to move the rod111axially upward (Arrow U) which is turn moves the actuation plate118axially upward thereby positioning the inlet nozzle121at a highest point in the bore2.

As illustrated inFIGS.8-10, with the inlet nozzle121in the bore2, hydrocarbons from the pipeline1may flow up the probe107based a differential pressure between the bore2and the sampling container122. With hydrocarbons being flowing into the probe via the inlet nozzle121, the hydrocarbons travel up the probe107and into the cross bore123to be collected in the sampling container122as the hydrocarbon samples128. In some embodiments, the pressure sensor127attached to the cross bore123measures the pressure within the cross bore123to monitor when the pressure matches the pressure in the bore2to determine that the sampling container122is filled.

One skilled in the art will appreciate how the double block (124,126) and bleed (125) valve configuration on the cross bore123may be used to ensure the pressure is zero psi for the hydrocarbon samples128when it is time to remove the sampling container122. With the hydrocarbon samples128collected in the sampling container122, the sampling container122may be removed to be sent to a laboratory for analysis. In some embodiments, a second sampling container may be coupled to the distal end of the cross bore to replace the sampling container122if more hydrocarbon samples are required. However, if the hydrocarbon sampling operations are completed, the portable hydrocarbon sampling device100may be disassembled to be stored or sent to another location to take further hydrocarbon samples at different vent of the same or different pipeline.

In addition to the benefits described above, the portable hydrocarbon sampling device100may improve an overall efficiency and performance of hydrocarbon sampling operations while reducing cost and risk of non-productive time (NPT), and many other advantages. Further, the portable hydrocarbon sampling device100may provide further advantages such as being able to take hydrocarbon samples at any level inside a pipeline, using existing vents as access points to avoid needing fixed locations, easily transported to any site location, and many other advantages.

Although only a few example embodiments have been described in detail above, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the example embodiments without materially departing from this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this disclosure as defined in the following claims. In the claims, any means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function(s) and equivalents of those structures. Similarly, any step-plus-function clauses in the claims are intended to cover the acts described here as performing the recited function(s) and equivalents of those acts. It is the express intention of the applicant not to invoke 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) for any limitations of any of the claims herein, except for those in which the claim expressly uses the words “means for” or “step for” together with an associated function.