Abstract:
A sample station and method of using the station, which contains a removable receptacle for collecting fluid samples from tanks, pipelines or other receptacles. The removable receptacle has a valve at the bottom for easy emptying and cleaning. The sample station is vented so the sample receptacle can not be pressurized, and is meant to be piped to the container which holds the fluid to be sampled, so the sample can be collected without risk of splashing, and without risk of spilling.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims benefit of Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/721,828, filed Sep. 29, 2005. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for sampling fluid, more specifically a method and sampling apparatus which may be used to take a sample from hot or pressurized vessels or vessels which contain otherwise hazardous materials. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    It is well known in the art to take a sample from a discharge or other pipeline or from a storage, reaction, or other vessel, and discharge said sample into a sample container, such as a graduated cylinder, beaker or other measured container. However, when working with hazardous fluids, such as those with a high or low pH or high temperature or pressure, the sampling process may pose a hazard to the operator obtaining the sample. Operators frequently must don safety equipment to collect a sample, and may get some of the fluid to be sampled on exposed skin in spite of this. Sometimes liquid will splash out, or the sample container gets overfilled, causing excess liquid to run out of the sample holder and possibly onto the operator. Oftentimes, excess liquid will spill onto the surrounding area, causing a slip hazard or, in multi-level manufacturing facilities, especially chemical manufacturing facilities, which may be floored with only grating, endangering those working below. This invention should eliminate many of those hazards by piping the container to be sampled directly to the sample station, having an enclosed and vented receptacle for collecting the sample, and allowing the sample station discharge to be piped directly to a drain or a sump, from which it can be pumped back into the original container. 
         [0004]    In many applications, it is desirable to visually inspect the fluid prior to sampling, for example to ensure that the fluid to be sampled is well-mixed, and many of the samplers currently known in the art do not have this capability. Additionally, some fluids may separate or are otherwise not always ready to be sampled. The liquid sample station with its transparent or translucent sample receptacle and flow through design overcomes both these problems. 
       OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a safe method of and apparatus for sampling fluids before, during, and after the manufacturing process. More particularly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a way for operators to safely collect a sample from a tank, pipeline or other receptacle which needs to be sampled, in a sample receptacle which is removable from the sample station for ease of transporting to a lab or other location where analysis of the sample will be done. Since the sample is piped directly into a vented receptacle, there will be no splash-back or spilling. Additionally, if the sample station is used for sampling a slurry or a liquid with sludge or other solids, the sample station can be used to check the concentration or volume of solids in the liquid in situ, then the sample receptacle can be emptied through the bottom valve into a drain line without removing the sample receptacle. If a sample of a liquid that separates or otherwise may not be ready to sample immediately upon opening the valve to the sampler is desired, the liquid can be run through the sampler until such time as it is desirable to collect a sample. 
         [0006]    A wash water line installed upstream of the sample station allows the sample receptacle to be easily rinsed in place, without needing to remove it to wash it. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  illustrates a first embodiment of a sample station of this invention; which sample station includes a removable sample receptacle. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a front view of a second embodiment of a sample station with the sample receptacle. 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a front view of the second embodiment of the sample station with the sample receptacle removed. 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  shows the sample receptacle. 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is a side view of the first embodiment of the sample station with the sample receptacle. 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  is a back view of the second embodiment of the sample station. 
           [0013]      FIG. 7  is an exploded view of the first embodiment of the sample receptacle. 
           [0014]      FIG. 8  is a front view of the second embodiment of the sample station with wash water piping and piping connecting it to a receptacle and a drain. 
           [0015]      FIG. 9  is a front view of the second embodiment of the sample station with wash water piping and piping connecting it to a receptacle and a collection container 
           [0016]      FIG. 10  is a top view of the butterfly valve. 
           [0017]      FIG. 11  is a side view of the butterfly valve. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0018]    With reference initially to  FIG. 1 , a liquid sample station is shown generally at  8 , the sample station including a sample receptacle  10  provided with an attached valve  12  at its lower end. The receptacle is mounted between first and second opposed upper and lower plates  14 ,  16 , respectively, in a frame assembly generally shown at  42  in  FIG. 3 . A filling pipe  20 , upstream of the sample receptacle has its downstream end attached to a collar of cylindrical flange  21  on the first opposing plate  14 , allowing fluid to flow through the filling pipe and into the sample receptacle. The filling pipe has a filling valve  18 , to control the flow of fluid into the sample receptacle. The second opposing plate has an opening with a drain line  22  attached to its circumference, allowing fluids to flow through the sample receptacle when the valve attached to the receptacle is open, or allowing the drainage of the sample receptacle if desired. The sample receptacle may be drained if it does not need to be removed for analysis, such as, for example, when a visual inspection is all that is needed. The drain line  22  ties into a drain/overflow pipe  24  as can best be seen from  FIG. 5 , which can drain to a floor drain or sump  52 , ( FIG. 8 ), or to a collection container  54 , to allow the return of the fluid to its original vessel, as shown in  FIG. 9 . 
         [0019]    The opposing plates are held roughly parallel to one another by attached support plates, a first support plate  26  ( FIG. 7 ) holds the first opposing plate  14  and a second support plate  28  holds the second opposing plate  16 . Channel shaped portions  44  on the sides of the first support plate partially wrap around the other support plate, serving to hold the two support plates in the proper orientation with respect to one another while allowing the plates to slide back and forth against each other. As shown, the first support plate  26  has the channel shaped portions  44 , but the portions  44  could be on the second support plate as well. 
         [0020]    In the first embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1 ,  5 , and  7 , an overflow/vent pipe  30  extends from the cylindrical flange  21  downwardly to the drain pipe  24 , as best shown in  FIG. 5 . In the second embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 2 ,  3 , and  6  the overflow/vent pipe extends from the filling pipe  20  to the drain pipe  24 . In both embodiments this overflow/vent line allows filling the sample receptacle while preventing pressure from building up in the sample receptacle, and releases flashing vapors. It also allows for the accidental or deliberate overfilling of the sample receptacle without the risk of spilling, as any excess liquid would flow out through the overflow/vent line. 
         [0021]    A wash water line  50  and wash water valve  48  can be installed upstream of the sample station, allowing the sample receptacle to be easily rinsed in place, without needing to remove it to wash it, as shown in  FIG. 8  and  FIG. 9 . 
         [0022]    Two gaskets  32 , are accepted into depressions in the first and second opposing plates  14 ,  16 . When the sample receptacle and its associated valve are sandwiched between the plates, the gaskets  32  help form a fluid-proof seal between the sample receptacle and its associated valve and the opposing plates. 
         [0023]    The opposing plates hold the sample receptacle and its associated valve between them by means of at least one threaded rod  34 , fitted with a spring  36 , which normally biases the plates toward each other, thus holding the sample receptacle with its associated valve securely between the opposing plates. Other mechanical means could be used to bias the plates toward each other. 
         [0024]    When preparing to take a sample with the sample station, the valve  12  on the downstream end of the receptacle  10  is opened, then the filling valve  18  is opened. If desired, an automatically controlled valve can be used on the sample receptacle and on the filling valve. Opening the valve allows fluid to flow through the filling pipe, then the sample receptacle and its associated valve, and finally out through the drain line into the overflow/vent pipe. Once it is desired to take a sample, the valve downstream of the receptacle is closed, and the fluid to be sampled will begin to fill the receptacle. When the desired amount of fluid is in the receptacle, the filling valve is closed. During the sampling process, displaced air escapes through the overflow/vent line. If too much fluid flows into the receptacle, the excess flows out through the overflow/vent line and into the drain pipe. If the sample is to be evaluated on appearance, such as color or opacity, the sample can be viewed in place. Otherwise, the sample receptacle can be removed from the sample station. If desired, a second sample receptacle can be put into the sample station for the next sampling event. 
         [0025]    The sample receptacle is made of a material that is transparent or translucent. This allows a visual inspection of the sample or of the fluid to be sampled. The person taking the sample can allow the fluid to be sampled to run through the receptacle until such time as it is desired to take a sample. For example, if the fluid tends to separate, the filling valve and the valve attached to the receptacle can both be opened, allowing the fluid to flow through the receptacle until it appears to have the desired characteristics. At this time, the receptacle valve would be closed, allowing the sample to accumulate in the receptacle until the desired amount was obtained, then the filling valve would be closed. 
         [0026]    For high temperature applications, or applications where the sample receptacle will be exposed to extremes of pH, the sample receptacle is made of Teflon® or other material that will not degrade in the presence of high temperature fluids. 
         [0027]    The sample receptacle is removable from the sample station by rotating a lever  38  or similar device which causes a cam  40  to rotate which forces the two support plates to slide against each other, pushing the opposing plates apart a sufficient distance to allow the removal of the sample receptacle  10  and associated valve. The cam is in a location where its rotation will force the two support plates apart. It has a flattened edge that can press against an abutment  46  on one of the support plates or against an opposing plate when the frame assembly is in the open position, thus locking the frame assembly in place. Once the sample receptacle and associated valve have been removed, a second sample receptacle and valve can be put into the sample station, the lever can be reversed, the spring or springs  36  force the opposing plates together, and the sample station is ready for use. 
         [0028]    The sample receptacle and associated valve, once removed, can be set flat on any level surface as the valve acts as a stable base for the sample receptacle, making it less likely to tip over. 
         [0029]    In the case of samples with high viscosity or other characteristics that make it difficult to remove the sample from the receptacle, the valve can be opened to more quickly drain the receptacle. Additionally, the valve makes cleaning of the sample receptacle easier and faster, as water or other cleaning fluid can be run through the receptacle when the valve is open. A butterfly valve can be used as it has a low profile and provides a full open space for drainage. Details of the butterfly valve are shown in  FIG. 10  and  FIG. 11 . 
         [0030]    While the sample receptacle can be a variety of shapes, a cylinder allows for easy cleaning. Indicia  48  on the side of the receptacle will allow measurement of the volume or amount of the sample. 
         [0031]    The orientation in the claims is for the convenience of the reader and should not be considered limiting. 
         [0032]    While a preferred form of this invention has been described above and shown in the accompanying drawings, it should be understood that applicant does not intend to be limited to the particular details described above and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, but intends to be limited only to the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims. In this regard, the term “means for” as used in the claims is intended to include not only the designs illustrated in the drawings of this application and the equivalent designs discussed in the text, but it is also intended to cover other equivalents now known to those skilled in the art, or those equivalents which may become known to those skilled in the art in the future.