Abstract: A sample pump system for metering the amount of sample taken from a pressurized fluid process such as a natural gas pipeline or the like, the sample pump system designed for immersion, directly or indirectly, into the pressurized fluid stream so that the sampling is taken at the prevailing pressure and temperature of the fluid stream. A spot sample cylinder device is further provided which employs a method of collection wherein the initial cylinder volume of the collection vessel or sampling cylinder is zero. The spot sample cylinder is inserted into the pressurized gas (or fluid) source, said sample cylinder employing a piston or moveable end configured such that purging of the cylinder sample cavity is not required, since the sample cavity volume is essentially eliminated prior to sampling by the location of the piston within the cavity, the cavity expanding upon sampling via piston movement within the cavity.

Abstract: A system for the retrieval and initial conditioning of sample gas for “on line” analyzers or filling of gas sample cylinders. The preferred embodiment of the present invention contemplates a system configured to obtain a representative gas phase sample from a process gas containing entrained liquid, or a process gas which generally is highly susceptible to partial condensation of some gas phase components. The preferred embodiment of the present invention teaches an assembly including a phase separation membrane and housing configured to facilitate the removal of entrained liquid from a sample gas stream. Accuracy of the sample is enhanced, and compositional changes are avoided by first extracting a sample from the process gas followed by removal of entrained liquid it may contain, with the entrained liquid removal being conducted at the prevailing process gas pressure and temperature. Thereafter the liquid free sample may be desaturated by lowering its pressure to reduce its susceptibility to condensation.

Abstract: An assembly for insertion and retraction of probe or probe-like device which does not require a seal or packing gland, instead utilizing pressure equalization between pressurized process fluids and the housing containing a probe, so as to negate the use of a dynamic seal. The preferred embodiment of the present invention contemplates an inserting/retraction mechanism for raising and lowering the probe into and from the pressurized fluid, respectively. A housing having a valve is configured to allow fluid communication between the pressurized fluid source, and the interior of the housing assembly. A conduit engages the housing assembly, and is formed to slidingly receive the outer diameter of the probe therethrough, such that a sliding seal maintains a fluid seal between the outer wall of the probe and the inner wall of the conduit, as the probe is telescoped therethrough during insertion and retraction of the probe into/from the pressurized process.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the physical separation of components from a multi-phase fluid stream into its component phases. More particularly, the invention relates to a housing for a phase separation medium which allows one to change the phase separation medium without the necessity of disconnecting the flow lines. An alternative embodiment of the present invention contemplates a housing incorporating a unique internal valve configuration for controlling and limiting the fluid pressure differential across the sheet of phase-separating material. The internal valve begins to throttle or reduce the fluid flow rate through the sheet of phase-separating material after the differential pressure across the sheet of phase-separating material exceeds a preset value. If throttling the fluid flow rate cannot prevent the differential pressure from exceeding the preset limit, then the internal valve will shut off the fluid flow completely.