Method and apparatus for obtaining liquid samples

Claim 1

An apparatus for obtaining a fluid sample from a process line comprising: a process line; a pressure drop means in said process line with a high pressure side and a low pressure side; a primary three-way valve with one opening operably connected into said process line on one side of said pressure drop means; a secondary three-way valve with one opening operably connected into said process line on an opposite side of said pressure drop means to which said primary three-way valve is connected; a flow line having an upper portion connected to a second opening of said primary three-way valve and a lower portion connected to a second opening of said secondary three-way valve; a drain line connected to a third opening of said primary three-way valve; a sample container; a sample line connected from a third opening of said secondary three-way valve and extending downward to said sample container; operating means for said primary three-way and said secondary three-way valve to selectively and alternately permit flow (1) from said process line through said primary three-way valve, through said flow line, through said secondary three-way valve, and into said process line; and (2) from said drain line through said primary three-way valve, through said flow line, through said secondary three-way valve and into said sample line; and a means to inhibit access to said sample container when said secondary valve is in a prescribed position open to said flow line, wherein said means to inhibit comprises a pivoting valve handle on said secondary three-way valve, said secondary three-way valve having a location such that said pivoting valve handle inhibits access to said sample container when said secondary three-way valve is in a prescribed position open to said process line.

Claim 2

An apparatus for obtaining a fluid sample from a process line comprising: a process line; a pressure drop means in said process line with a high pressure side and a low pressure side; a primary three-way valve with one opening operably connected into said process line on one side of said pressure drop means; a secondary three-way valve with one opening operably connected into said process line on an opposite side of said pressure drop means to which said primary three-way valve is connected; a flow line having an upper portion connected to a second opening of said primary three-way valve and a lower portion connected to a second opening of said secondary three-way valve; a drain line connected to a third opening of said primary three-way valve; a sample container; a sample line connected from a third opening of said secondary three-way valve and extending downward to said sample container; operating means for said primary three-way and said secondary three-way valve to selectively and alternately permit flow (1) from said process line through said primary three-way valve, through said flow line, through said secondary three-way valve, and into said process line; and (2) from said drain line through said primary three-way valve, through said flow line, through said secondary three-way valve and into said sample line; and a means to inhibit access to said sample container when said secondary valve is in a prescribed position open to said flow line, wherein said means to inhibit comprises a pivoting valve handle on said secondary three-way valve, said secondary three-way valve having a location such that said pivoting valve handle inhibits access to said sample container when said secondary three-way valve is in a prescribed position open to said process line.

Claim 8

An apparatus for obtaining a fluid sample from a sampling location in a process system under positive pressure comprising: a multi-port valve with one opening operably connected into the sampling location; a seal leg line having an upper portion and a lower portion, said lower portion operably connected to a second opening of said multi-port valve; a drain pipe line operably connected end-to-end to said upper portion of said seal leg line and extending downward to a drain, wherein said drain pipe line is a larger diameter pipe size than said seal leg line to prevent siphoning of fluid sample from the seal leg line down the drain pipe line; a sample container; and a sample line operably connected to a third opening of said multi-port valve and extending downward to said sample container.

Claim 9

An apparatus for obtaining a fluid sample from a sampling location in a process system under positive pressure comprising: a multi-port valve with one opening operably connected into the sampling location; a seal leg line having an upper portion and a lower portion, said lower portion operably connected to a second opening of said multi-port valve; a drain pipe line operably connected end-to-end to said upper portion of said seal leg line and extending downward to a drain, wherein said drain pipe line is a larger diameter pipe size than said seal leg line to prevent siphoning of fluid sample from the seal leg line down the drain pipe line; a sample container; and a sample line operably connected to a third opening of said multi-port valve and extending downward to said sample container.

Claim 16

An apparatus for obtaining a fluid sample from a sampling location in a process system under positive pressure comprising: a multi-port valve with one opening operably connected into the sampling location; a seal leg line having an upper portion and a lower portion, said lower portion operably connected to a second opening of said multi-port valve; a pipe drain line operably connected to said upper portion of said seal leg line and extending downward to a drain; a sample container; a sample line operably connected to a third opening of said multi-port valve and extending downward to said sample container; and a pivoting valve handle on said multi-port valve, said multi-port valve having a location such that said pivoting valve handle inhibits access to said sample container when said multi-port valve is open to said sample line.

Claim 17

An apparatus for obtaining a fluid sample from a sampling location in a process system under positive pressure comprising: a multi-port valve with one opening operably connected into the sampling location; a seal leg line having an upper portion and a lower portion, said lower portion operably connected to a second opening of said multi-port valve; a pipe drain line operably connected to said upper portion of said seal leg line and extending downward to a drain; a sample container; a sample line operably connected to a third opening of said multi-port valve and extending downward to said sample container; and a pivoting valve handle on said multi-port valve, said multi-port valve having a location such that said pivoting valve handle inhibits access to said sample container when said multi-port valve is open to said sample line.