Adsorption trap for the detection of surface-active agents in gas streams
AssigneeSaudi Arabian Oil Company
InventorTimothy Dale Newbound
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and apparatus are provided for adsorbing surface-active compounds, such as corrosion inhibitors and water, from pressurized gas streams utilizing existing gas pipeline sampling valves. The apparatus includes an adsorption trap assembly containing an adsorption material packing, such as silica gel, fixedly positioned to selectively adsorb any surface-active compound(s)or water in the gas stream passing through the trap. After sampling, the adsorption material packing is removed and treated to desorb any entrained compound(s) for recovery, testing and identification. The method and apparatus have particular utility in determining the presence of corrosion inhibitors that have been added to petroleum pipelines upstream of the sampling point(s).
Claims40
Apparatus for use in detecting a surface-active corrosion inhibitor additive in a petroleum gas sample withdrawn from a pressurized feedstream through gas sampling means that is in communication with the pressurized feedstream, the apparatus comprising:
- a. an adsorption trap in fluid communication with the gas sampling means, the adsorption trap containing an adsorption material that selectively removes from the gas sample entrained surface-active corrosion inhibitor contacting the adsorption material, the adsorption trap having an upstream inlet port for receiving gas from the sampling means and a downstream outlet port for discharging gaseous sample passing through the adsorption material, the adsorption material being fixedly positioned between the inlet and outlet ports, said trap having access means for removing and replacing the adsorption material;
- and
- b. at least one valve for controlling the flow of gas through the adsorption trap.
An adsorption trap for use in connection with a gas collection apparatus, said apparatus in fluid communication with a high pressure gas stream in a transmission pipeline, the trap comprising:
- a trap body having an inlet port and an outlet port,
- an adsorption material fixedly positioned in the trap body between the inlet and outlet ports, and
- access means for removing and replacing the adsorption material in the trap body.
A method for determining the presence of one or more surface-active compounds in a gaseous sample withdrawn from a pressurized gaseous petroleum feedstream, the method comprising:
- (a) providing an adsorption trap assembly that comprises a trap body having an inlet port for receiving a sample of gas withdrawn from the pressurized feedstream and an outlet port for discharging the gaseous sample, said trap body containing an adsorption material that adsorbs and retains surface-active compounds upon contact with the gaseous sample, and access means for removing the adsorption material from the trap body;
- (b) securing the adsorption trap assembly in fluid communication with the pressurized gas in the feedstream;
- (c) passing a gaseous sample from the feedstream through the adsorption trap assembly to contact the adsorption material;
- (d) discontinuing the passage of pressurized gas through the trap assembly;
- (e) removing the adsorption material from the trap;
- (f) separating any adsorbed compounds from the adsorption material and recovering any adsorbed compounds present in the form of at least one analyzable sample;
- and
- (g) analyzing the at least one recovered sample for the presence of one or more surface-active compounds.
A method for determining the presence of one or more surface-active compounds in a gaseous stream passing through a pressurized gas transmission pipeline, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a gas sampling adsorption trap assembly that includes
- (i) a trap body,
- (ii) a packed bed of adsorption material selected from the group consisting of silica gel, zeolites and activated alumina, the packed bed being fixedly positioned in the trap body, and
- (iii) means for passing a sample of the gas stream through the packed bed;
- (b) passing a volume of the gas through the adsorption trap assembly and in contact with the adsorption material;
- (c) recovering from the adsorption material any compounds adsorbed during contact with the gas sample;
- and
- (d) testing any compound recovered from the adsorption material for the presence of the one or more surface-active compounds.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.