Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
Class EQ 5290
Gary Hollars
Reliant EnergyPipelineServices
PO Box 54979
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 73154-4979
• VALVE2
DRIP POT
While it may quicker and easier, the sample should PURGING METHODS
not be taken directly from the probe. A drip pot
should be installed on the probe and the sample After the drip pot and sample cylinder are installed,
cylinder should be mounted on the outlet of the drip they should be purged before a sample is caught.
pot. The cylinder should be mounted on the outlet of There are three common methods of purging used
the drip pot so that the outlet of the cylinder points when spot sampling:
downward.
Liquids ingested into the sample can cause the CONSTANT PRESSURE CYLINDER
components to change, thus the results may not be
accurate. The use of the drip pot, along with the
The constant pressure cylinder method uses a
downward position of the" cylinder, ensures that
cylinder with a sliding piston inside the cylinder with
liquids are not ingested into the sample.
pressure on both sides of the piston. The cylinder is
filled to line pressure on the backside to force the
A 'pigtail' with a full opening valve should be installed
piston to one end. The sample is introduced to the
on the outlet valve of the sample cylinder. A pigtail
front side of the cylinder while slowly bleeding the
can be made from 3/8" stainless steel tubing with the
backside of the piston. When analyzed, constant
ball valve on the downstream or outlet side of the
pressure is applied to the backside of the piston.
pigtail. All valves between the probe inlet valve and
the pigtail valve should be wide open during the
This type of sample is always at a constant pressure,
sampling process. (The blow off on the drip pot
thus avoiding composition changes that occur with
should be closed while filling the cylinder.) The
pressure drops when liquids are present. This
wide-open position of the valves will prevent any
method is recognized as the most accurate, but is
pressure drops during the sampling process. Any
more expensive and the cylinders require more care
pressure drop during the sampling process can
in the field.
cause a drop in temperature, thus changing the
composition of the sample.
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is installed on a sample probe in the upright position
CONTINIOUS BLEED with the ball valve used to regulate the flow of
sample. The pop bottle is slipped over the tubing
Gas or sample is continuously bled through the with the mouth of the bottle in the downward position.
standard type cylinder for a specified time using this After a slow bleed is started, the glass tube is
method. It is important to purge very slowly using inserted up into the bottle, ensuring that only gas is
this method. The purge rate should be regulated sampled.
with the pigtail valve on the cylinder, with all other
valves on the drip pot, sample probe, and cylinder in Taking a sample through a bleeding blow off or
the wide open position. Check that the bleed valve meter manifold valve utilizing this method is not
on the drip pot is closed during purging. recommended. This sample location may allow air
to be inhaled into the glass tube, thus making the
results inaccurate.
FILL AND EMPTY As with any other spot sampling there are several
precautions to be taken:
The standard type sample cylinder is slowly filled to
line pressure and then exhausted to slightly above I. Ensure that no air is inhaled into the
atmospheric pressure through the bleed valve on the glass tube with the sample. Air will
drip pot. This is done several times to ensure a good contaminate the sample, thus making it
inaccurate.
purge. The final fill is the sample.
2. Rotate the glass tubes. They do have a
shelf life and can get old and give false
Again, ensure that there are no leaks on the sample
readings.
cylinder before shipping for analysis. It is also
important to remember that sample cylinders should 3. Always use a probe when sampling.
4. Never sample 'dead' gas or gas that is
always be shipped in accordance with all state and
DOT rules and regulations. not in a flowing stream. A dead gas
sample may not be representative of the
actual gas stream.
SUCTION PUMP SPOT SAMPLING
Allowable limits on components vary by company, so
they will not be discussed. Follow your own
Another type of spot sampling that has been
company guidelines when deciding on how much is
perfected and became popular in recent years is the
too much. Also, be sure to follow the manufactures'
suction pump - glass tube method. This method is
instructions for operating the suction pump as they
generally used for quick spot checks of dew points,
vary by brand.
carbon dioxide, and hydrogen sulfide, among others.
CONCLUSION
Glass tubes containing chemicals inside are broken
on both ends and inserted into a suction pump. The
Reliable spot sampling is very important for accurate
glass tubes are then inserted into a sample of
flow measurement calculations. Things to remember
flowing natural gas and as the pump is stroked, gas
when spot sampling are:
is inhaled through the tube. Discoloration of the
chemicals inside the glass tube indicates a particular
I. Choose the proper sample location.
component is present in the sample.
2. Use stainless steel cylinders.
3. Always use a sample probe.
A sampling device, or volume tank, should be utilized
4. Usea drip pot.
when using this method. After a slow continuos
5. Always ship cylinders according to all
bleed is started, the volume tank is filled with only
state and DOT regulations.
sample gas and is exhausted through the outlet of
the tank. The glass tube is then inserted into the
volume tank and a sample can be taken.
REFERENCES
While commercial sampling devices or volume tanks
Gas Processors Association, GPA Standard 2166-
are available on the market, a 12" piece of 3/8"
86, 1986 Revision, Tulsa, Oklahoma.
stainless steel tubing, a ¼" ball valve, and a
common glass pop bottle make an excellent and
economical volume tank. The stainless steel tubing
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