Abstract An apparatus for a method of withdrawing samples of particulate solids, e.g., catalysts, from a bed of particulate solid material located in a vessel under super-atmospheric pressure. Differential pressure between the vessel and a solids receiver carries the sample from a bed of the solids in the vessel through a tubular sampler and into the receiver where the sample is purged and cooled, after which it it transferred to a container for storage until examination or analysis. An elongated tubular purging means communicating with the tubular sampler is used to inject a gas, e.g., nitrogen, into the tubular sampler. This action serves to regulate the amount of material withdrawn from the bed. It also serves to purge the tubular sampler of fluid and solid material and the receiver of vapors after sampling is completed. The apparatus is especially adapted for installation into existing commercial reaction vessels and allows catalyst sampling to be effected while a reaction vessel is in operation. Recycle gas, hydrogen gas or an inert gas can be introduced into the tubular sampler to minimize coking therein while the sampling apparatus is not in operation.
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which said stable gas source is a controlled gas conduit connected to a source of inert gas.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which said stable gas source is a controlled gas conduit connected to a source of recycle gas.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which said sample receiver includes a second inlet and in which said apparatus further comprises a further inert gas source connected to said sample receiver second inlet to introduce inert gas thereto.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which said solid particulate material is a catalyst.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
174 words
A method of withdrawing a sample of solid particulate material from a pressurized vessel housing a bed of such material, through a valved sampling conduit extending into the bed, and into a sample receiver connected to the sampling conduit and having a fluid outlet and a sample outlet, said method comprising: a. opening the valve in the sampling conduit to equalize the pressure in the vessel and in the sample receiver; b. opening the sample receiver fluid outlet to a zone at a pressure below the pressure within the vessel to cause a sample of the solid particulate material to traverse the sampling conduit to the sample receiver; c. introducing an inert gas to the sampling conduit to halt the flow of solid particulate material thereinto and to purge the sampling conduit; d. closing the valve in the sampling conduit to halt flow therethrough; e. removing the sample of solid particulate material from the sample receiver; and f. introducing a stable gas to the sampling conduit to block entry of solid particulate material thereinto.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as claimed in claim 6 further comprising the step of initially pressurizing and depressurizing the sample receiver with an inert gas to purge the sample receiver.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
55 words
A method as claimed in claim 6 in which removing of the sample is achieved by opening a sample removal outlet in the sample receiver, and introducing an inert gas into the sample receiver at a pressure above atmospheric to force the sample of solid particulate material from the receiver through the sample removal outlet.