Abstract:
A system for sampling and/or conditioning a process gas such as natural gas or the like with selective isolation capability. The preferred embodiment of the present invention is designed to be OSHA compliant, contemplating a system to insert, retract, maintain and service analytical sample conditioning components or the like in fluid communication with a pressurized pipeline, but upstream an isolation component such as, for example, a double block and bleed sample valve or the like. The preferred embodiment of the present invention thereby provides an apparatus and method for selective isolation of existing or potential hazardous energies which may be associated with the pressurized pipeline and fluids therein from upstream the modular sample component(s) or the like therein.

Description:
BENEFIT CLAIM 
     The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/716,656 filed Oct. 22, 2012, entitled “Apparatus for Analytical Sampling and/or Conditioning of a Process Gas with Selective Isolation Capability, and method Therefore”, listing Valmond Joseph St Amant, III and Steven Douglas Calverley as inventors. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     It is common practice to use sampling probes and the like to extract fluid samples from pressurized pipelines or the like for analysis in the field or for off-site, laboratory analysis. This especially true in the natural gas industry, where the monetary value of the gas is dependent on its compositional analysis. Likewise, the chemical and oil refining industries also have needs for extracting fluid samples from pressurized fluid sources. 
     Recent offshore pipeline safety concerns since the 2010 Deepwater Horizon offshore incident have renewed an emphasis on the need for isolation devices such as double block and bleed sample valves, as well as compliance with OSHA standards in such activities. The use of an emergency valve shutoff in an isolation device is not believed compatible with the use of conventional sample probes situated as passing through the isolation device (i.e., with the valve in an open position), as said sample probes would be required to be manually or automatically removed to allow for valve closure. Accordingly, since the removal cannot be assured to occur in a timely fashion in an emergency, such an arrangement could not be relied as it may prevent the valve closure in an emergency event, resulting in failure of the emergency shutoff. 
     Current isolation device technology such as double block and bleed valves use a hollow tube “quill” below the valve as an option for sampling or injection through the open valve, but this system has not shown, suggested, or contemplated the mounting of analytical sample conditioning components or the like therein, and retaining same with the valve in a closed position. Thus, in the prior art, the quill is simply a hollow tube formed to act as a pass-through to facilitate the removal or injection of a sample, and no receiver or retainer function is contemplated. 
     GENERAL SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In an improvement over the prior art, as embodied in the present invention, a quill is formed to receive a component(s) such as a conditioning component or the like, in the vicinity of (upstream) the isolation device, so that the isolation device (valve) may be closed in an emergency with no interference from said conditioning component(s). 
     In effect, the present invention provides a redesign of the quill for the novel use as a means to receive and retain the component, a probe which is on the pressurized process gas side of the isolation device, and a probe which may be isolated on demand and without delay, should the need arise. 
     The component(s) utilized in the present device may comprise, for example, sample conditioning components such as membrane separators (e.g., phase separation membrane) regulators and regulator components, isokinetic sampling components, coalescing filters, particulate filters (screens, sintered metal, sintered plastics, thermoplastics, borosilicate glass, etc.), inertial separators, valves (i.e., throttling, needle, metering, ball, switching, etc) and others, and could be provided in a single component housing, or stacked for serial flow therethrough (see for example,  FIG. 4A-4E ). 
     The term “conditioning component” is not intended to be limiting as similar components may likewise be used in the present invention, including sensors and monitoring components such as corrosion coupons, wireless monitoring devices such as thermometers, wireless monitoring devices, moisture sensors, gas sensors (e.g. H2S and others), etc. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       For a further understanding of the nature and object of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like parts are given like reference numbers or letters, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a side, partially cut-away view of the first, preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a quill  17  engaged to an isolation device/valve  1 , the quill  17  forming a receiver to receive cartridge  16  having sample conditioning component  11  situated therein to receive flow from longitudinal passage  12 . 
         FIG. 2A  is a side, partially cut-away, close-up view of the quill  17  of  FIG. 1  engaging flange  4 . 
         FIG. 2B  is a side view of the cartridge  16  of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 2C  is a side, partially cut-away, close up view of the sample conditioning component in the cartridge in the quill of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 2D  is a bottom, view of the quill end of  FIG. 1  distal the mounting flange. 
         FIG. 3A  is a side view of the quill with mounting flange of  FIG. 2A . 
         FIG. 3B  is a side view of a cartridge of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3C  is a side view of the quill of  FIG. 3A  showing the cartridge in phantom. 
         FIG. 3D  is a downstream (top) end view of the cartridge of  FIG. 3B . 
         FIG. 4A  is a side, perspective view of a second, alternative embodiment of the quill of the present invention designed to engage a cartridge containing one, or multiple stacked conditioning components therein. 
         FIG. 4B  is a side view of the modular, stackable cartridge of  FIG. 4A . 
         FIG. 4C  is a downstream (upper) end view of the modular, stackable cartridge of  FIG. 4A . 
         FIG. 4D  is an upstream (lower) end view of the modular, stackable cartridge of  FIG. 4A . 
         FIG. 4E  is another side, perspective view of the modular, stackable cartridge of  FIG. 4A . 
         FIG. 5A  is a side, perspective view of the modular, stackable cartridge of  FIG. 3B . 
         FIG. 5B  is an upstream (top) end view of the cartridge of  FIG. 5A . 
         FIG. 5C  is a side view of the cartridge of  FIG. 5A  showing the inner chamber for receiving a modular sampling conditioning component in phantom. 
         FIG. 5D  is another side, perspective view of the modular, stackable cartridge of  FIG. 5A . 
         FIG. 6  is a side view illustrating the insertion/removal tool of the present invention positioned to pass through and isolation device/valve to access/engage a cartridge/modular conditioning component situated in a quill. 
         FIG. 7  is a side view of an insertion/removal tool of the present invention positioned to engage a double block and bleed (DBB) type valve to access the quill downstream for insertion/removal and/or maintenance of a cartridge/modular sample conditioning component therein. 
         FIG. 7A  is a close-up view of a hex drive with spring-biased ball indent formed to engage the cartridge containing the modular sample conditioning component(s). 
         FIG. 7B  is a side, partially cut-away view of a flange having a quill mounted thereto having a cartridge with modular sample conditioning component mounted thereto. 
         FIG. 8A  is a side view of the insertion/removal tool of the present invention, showing a close-up of the upper portion of the tool including the button to manually engage the hex drive with spring-biased ball indent on the opposing end of the tool to the cartridge containing the modular sample conditioning component(s). 
         FIG. 8B  is a side view of the insertion/removal tool of  FIG. 8A  passing through the double block &amp; bleed valve (in open position) engaging a cartridge containing the conditioning component(s) situated in the quill. 
         FIG. 8C  is a side view of the slotted threaded end of the insertion removal tool associated with the operation of the top button. 
         FIG. 9  is a side close-up, exploded view of the hex drive with spring-biased ball indent of  FIG. 7A . 
         FIG. 9A  is a side, close up, line drawing view of the hex drive body without the spring biased ball indent shown. 
         FIG. 9B  is a bottom view of the body of  FIG. 9A . 
         FIG. 9C  is a top view of the body of  FIG. 9A . 
         FIG. 9D  is a side, isometric view of the hex drive body with spring biased indent of  FIG. 7A . 
         FIG. 9E  is a side view of an insertion/removal tool of the present invention having the hex drive with spring-biased ball indent shown in  FIGS. 9-9D . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1, 2A-2D, 3A-3D, and 5A-5E , the first, preferred embodiment of the present invention contemplates a quill  17  having first  3  and second ends  3 ′ with a passage  12  formed longitudinally therethrough forming a receiver  9  configured to receive a housing or cartridge  16  therein, the cartridge in the present embodiment having first  2  and second  2 ′ ends, the first end  2  having an outer diameter  10 ′ (OD) having a threaded area  8 , formed to threadingly engage a thread  13  situated within the inner diameter (ID) receiver  9 , associated with the OD  10  of quill  17 , the cartridge sealingly engageable the ID of the receiver so as to facilitate a longitudinal fluid flow passage  12 ,  12 ′ therethrough, the installed cartridge thus forming a “pass-through” for fluids flowing through the quill  17  allowing the conditioning and/or monitoring of same, or alternatively providing a capture device to capture fluids, as will be further discussed infra. 
     Socket  15  (shown in an exemplary hexagonal configuration shown in  FIG. 5A-5B ) may be formed in the threaded  8  end  2  of the cartridge  16 , to facilitate placement  18  of the cartridge into the quill ( FIG. 1 ), as will be further explained infra. An o-ring  14  or the like about the OD of the cartridge  16  may be used to form a fluid tight seal with the ID of quill when situated therein, such that fluid under pressure will be prevented from flowing between the OD of the installed cartridge and the ID of the surrounding quill, so as to facilitate the flowing of fluid into the quill into the cartridge. The fluid may then be sampled, monitored, or conditioned or otherwise treated and allowed to “pass-through”, depending upon the desired application. 
     As mentioned, component  11  may comprise a single component which may be single function or multifunction, or alternatively may comprise one or more modular components  11 ′ “stacked” (either within a common cartridge or one or more stacked cartridges in the receiver) in series in fluid sealed fashion so as to allow the contained flow of fluid therethrough so as to condition same, or have other features such as monitoring, sampling, or the like ( FIG. 2A ). 
     Thus, the present installation allows a flow-through, when desired, of fluid flowing from the process gas stream  47  associated with the main. Accordingly, if component  11  comprises a conditioning component, with the valve  1  in an open position, fluid from the main flows  25  from the main  47 , through any intermediary lateral, through the quill  17 , into the cartridge  16 , and through conditioning component(s)  11  situated therein, conditioning same so as to provide conditioned gas, for selective flow through valve  1  or vent  27  ( FIG. 7 ). 
     This “flow through” feature may also be useful in a monitoring capacity, such as a corrosion coupon or the like. If no flow-through is desired, the downstream valve need only be closed, or alternatively, the cartridge  16  may not have a passage through the first  2  end, or the component may only have an opening at the end associated with the second end  2 ′ of cartridge. 
     Alternatively, if the component is for sampling such as fluid collection, or monitoring such as pressure, temperature, liquids, etc, flow-through as a feature may or may not be utilized. 
     Further, if a monitoring component is utilized in lieu or in conjunction with a conditioning component, the fluid is being monitored upstream the valve, it thus may provide a monitoring of the gas on the process stream  47  side of the isolation device, even where said device is closed. 
       FIGS. 6-9 , taken in conjunction with  FIGS. 1-3 and 5 , illustrate a new and innovative system utilizing a specially designed tool and method of use to facilitate access to cartridge (and thus any component  11  therein) via valve  1 , and thus allow component  11  to be serviceable, installable, and/or removable without the need for removal/dismantling of the valve/isolation device or the like, or otherwise significantly interrupting the operation of the system. 
     As shown, the system of the present invention is formed so as to allow a tool to be inserted thru the open valve or other passage to allow access to the quill for insertion/removal of the cartridge  16 , as well as offering the ability to inspect, maintain, replace, install the cartridge with component therein below/upstream the valve, even while the pipeline is still pressurized. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 6-8 , the insertion/removal tool  30  of the present invention comprises a length of threaded rod  31  having first  32  and second  32 ′ ends ( FIG. 7 ), said rod having a longitudinal passage  33  formed therethrough, so as to provide a passage having an opening at each of said opposing ends  32 ,  32 ′. 
     Situated within said longitudinal passage  33  of said threaded rod  31  is a control rod  52  having first  53  and second  53 ′ ends and a length which is longitudinally adjustable relative to rod  31 , as will be more fully discussed herein. 
     Said second end  32 ′ of said threaded rod  31  has formed at its longitudinal passage  33  a cavity  55  formed to slidingly receive and support a drive  34  (for example, a square or hexagonal profile, see  FIG. 7A ), which engages said control rod  52  (in phantom) at its second end  53 ′, so that said drive  34  can be selectively be manually retracted  45 ′ or extended  44 ′ by rotating hex nut  46  associated with the first  53  end of said control rod, which hex nut  46  engages a threaded area on said hex adapter  36 , providing a mechanical advantage so as to allow the longitudinally repositioning of said control rod, thereby causing said drive  34  to retract  45 ′ into, or extend  44 ′ from said cavity, respectively. When the drive  34  slidingly engages the enveloping cavity at the second end  32 ′ of rod, it is designed so that the cavity limits axial rotation of the drive to that of the threaded rod  31 , so that when drive  34  slidingly engages the enveloping cavity at the second end  32 ′ of rod, the axial rotation of the rod  31  rotates drive  34 . 
     Continuing with the drawings, body  37  is provided having first  38  and second  38 ′ ends, said body having a threaded longitudinal passage  39  formed therethrough to threadingly engage said threaded rod  31 , said first  38  end of said body having a sealing nut  51  associated therewith for selectively providing sealing force on the packing gland  54 , therewith making a seal on threaded rod  31 , said second end of said body further comprising a profile  48  (for example, square profile with corner fillets) so that a wrench or the like may engage same, and a threaded end  40 , formed to engage a threaded socket in an opening  41  associated with a threaded opening of a valve  1  ( FIG. 1 ), or as shown beginning  FIG. 7 , an opening  41 ′ of a isolation device/double block and bleed (DBB) valve. As shown, the body also includes a receiver  56  passage at the second  38 ′ end to receive a cartridge  16 , as will be further discussed herein. 
     Referring to the figures, for an exemplary use of the insertion/retrieval system of the present invention with a double block and bleed (DBB) valve  1 ′, a quill  17  having a receiver  9  formed therein must be first mounted upstream the DBB. Generally, this installation will include an initial component, for example, a sample conditioning component  11  in a cartridge  16 , threadingly seated in the receiver  9 . Once the quill  17  installation is complete, the system can be serviced and maintained without the need for pressure shutdown, as will be shown, below. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 7-8B , in a scenario where the component needs to be removed from the system using the insertion/retrieval tool, first valves  42 ,  42 ′ are closed and the pressure within the valve is vented via the vent  27  passage therebetween. Cap  50 , if any, is then removed from the opening to the valve. 
     Threaded end  40  of body then is positioned to engage threaded socket opening  41  ( FIG. 6 ) of the opening of the valve  1  (or in DBB, opening  41 ′,  FIG. 7 ). The body of the tool is then threadingly engaged to the threaded socket opening  41  to form a sealed engagement by tightening body via profile  48 . 
     After confirming the vent  27  on the DBB valve  1 ′ is closed,  42 ,  42 ′ can now be opened and the pressure contained as the threaded end  40  of body engaging threaded socket opening  41 ′ of the DBB valve forms a plug. With the insertion/retrieval tool  30  in place and the valves opened, there is now provided a clear passageway to the quill  17  and any component therein. 
     To lower  44 ′ the second end  32 ′ of threaded rod to facilitate engagement to cartridge  16  already in the quill  17 , the hex adapter  36  is turned  43 , so as to lower the threaded rod  31  into the valve, through the valve passage and open valves  42 ,  42 ′, until the second end  32 ′ of the threaded rod with drive  34  is in the vicinity of the cartridge. 
     To cause drive  34  to emerge  44 ′ from the second end  32 ′ of threaded rod so as to engage socket  15  of cartridge  16 , hex nut  46  is turned, urging  44  control rod  52  toward the DBB valve  1 , causing drive  34  to extend  44 ′ from the tool, through the open valve, until it extends into the locked position so as to engage socket  15  of cartridge  16 , and biased ball  35  of drive  34  engages an indent formed in the sidewall of socket  15 , to releasably engage same. Knob  49  may be provided so as to allow an operator to manually position drive  34  axially by turning control rod  52  ( FIG. 8A ) via knob  49 , so as to align drive  34  with socket  15  so that drive  34  may be further lowered to engage socket  15  with the second end  32 ′ of threaded rod engaging drive. 
     Once drive  34  has engaged socket, hex adapter  36  is rotated  43 ′ in reverse direction, raising the rod while rotating drive  34  engaging socket  15 , rotating cartridge  16 , thereby disengaging threaded end  8  of cartridge from threaded portion  13  of quill receiver, urging cartridge  16  through quill then through the open valve(s) or isolation device, to the second end  32 ′ of tool  30 . 
     Once the cartridge  16  is drawn into to the second end  32 ′ of body  37  of the tool  30 , the cartridge and threaded rod should be clear the outer valve opening  41  ( 41 ′ of the DBB valve/isolation device), said outer valve  42 ′ is then closed and any residual gas between the closed outer valve  42  and the second end  38 ′ of tool  30  is vented via the vent  27 . At that point, the profile  48  on the body  37  can be turned  43 ′ to disengage the threaded engagement between the threaded end  40  of body  37  and threaded socket at the opening  41 ′ on the DBB valve/isolation device (or opening  41  in a regular valve as in  FIG. 6 ), and the tool with cartridge removed. 
     While the above example illustrated removal of a cartridge in the quill, the same procedure may be used to insert and install the cartridge into the quill, utilizing a similar variation of the above procedure, but with some of the steps in reverse. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4A-4E and 1 , in a second embodiment of the present invention, a component (for example, modular sample conditioning component or the like) is mounted to engage a quill situated on the process gas pressure side of the isolation device or valve. Such a system may comprise, for example, a fixed installation wherein the sampling component is fixedly attached to the component, thus without ready means for installation, maintenance, or removal other than shutting the system down and depressurizing the pipeline. 
     Alternatively, a quill  2  may be provided to removeably engage the component, for example, via threaded connection, but not necessarily accessible from outside the installation. For example, the component might threadingly engaging the end  3 ′ of the quill distal the end  3  of the quill  2 , which is threaded to threadingly engage a threaded OD in flange  4  ( FIG. 1 ). See  FIG. 4A-4E . 
     ELEMENTS of the INVENTION 
     
         
           1  isolation device/valve 
           2  quill 
           3 ,  3 ′ first, second ends 
           4  mounting flange 
           8  threaded end 
           9  receiver 
           10 ,  10 ′ inner, outer diameters 
           11  sample conditioning component,&#39; 
           12  longitudinal passage 
           13  threaded portion 
         O′ring or other seal 
           15  socket for receiving tool 
           16  cartridge 
           17  quill 
           25  flow 
           26  threaded end 
           27  vent 
           30  insertion/retrieval tool 
           31  threaded rod 
           32 ,  32 ′ first, second ends 
           33  longitudinal passage therethrough 
           34  Drive 
           35  spring biased ball indent 
           36  hex adapter 
           37  body 
           38  first, second ends 
           39  threaded longitudinal passage therethrough 
           40  threaded end 
           41  opening (threaded socket) 
           42 ,′ levers for operating of isolation device/DBB valve 
           43  rotate in first direction, second direction 
           44  lower, emanate 
           45  raise, retract 
           46  nut to lower drive to engage socket  15   
           47  process gas stream 
           48  profile on body for engaging valve 
           49  button 
           50  plug 
           51  sealing nut 
           52  control rod 
           54  packing gland 
           55  cavity 
           56  receiver 
       
    
     The invention embodiments herein described are done so in detail for exemplary purposes only, and may be subject to many different variations in design, structure, application and operation methodology. Thus, the detailed disclosures therein should be interpreted in an illustrative, exemplary manner, and not in a limited sense.