Vacuum distillation sampling apparatus

Claim 1

A sampling device for sampling liquid distillate during distillation comprising a fixed assembly designed to be fitted onto the off-take portion of a distillation apparatus from which samples are to be taken and having a. a primary fluid passage fitted with b. a sampling valve coMprising a body portion having walls and a hollow interior, said walls containing an inlet port, an outlet port, and a sampling port, each extending from the exterior of said wall to the hollow interior thereof, said inlet and outlet ports being positioned on diametrically opposite sides of the walls and said sampling port being between said inlet and outlet ports, and including a rotatable valve member adjustably positioned within said hollow interior and provided with a flow channel therethrough, said flow channel having a diameter less than the distance between the inlet port and the sampling port and less than the distance between the sampling port and the outlet port, and said valve member being movable between a substantially vertical flow position wherein said channel connects said inlet and outlets ports so that fluid flowing through the primary fluid passage flows through said channel, and a substantially horizontal sampling position wherein said channel communicates with the discharge port and c. a secondary fluid passage opening into the primary fluid passage at a point above and a point below said sampling valve and by-passing said sampling valve thereby permitting uninterrupted distillation while the sampling valve is in the sampling position.