Process monitoring apparatus and method
OwnerWilliam J. Morin, III, Thomas E. Woodfordinventors
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus for the continuous monitoring of process stream chemical process. The apparatus includes a canister or reservoir with a sampling chamber having an inlet for the process stream in an upper portion of the canister and an outlet returning the sample to the process vessel. The inlet and outlet are offset from one another and sized to maintain a positive pressure within the sampling chamber so that a turbulent flow pattern through the sampling chamber is established. A measuring device such as an electrode assembly depends into the chamber within the canister and transmits a representative signal to a remote analytical instrument. Entrained gases are removed from the upper portion of the chamber via conduit and valve.
Claims8
An apparatus for the continuous monitoring of a process parameter in a process having a process vessel, said apparatus comprising:
- (a) a closed reservoir defining a sampling chamber having an inlet communicating with an upper portion of the chamber and a single outlet communicating with a lower portion of said chamber, said inlet and outlet being oppositely disposed and transversely offset whereby a turbulent flow pattern is established within said chamber;
- (b) first conduit means connecting said process vessel to said inlet;
- (c) second conduit means connecting said outlet to said vessel for returning a sample stream to the vessel, said second conduit means including flow restriction means therein whereby a positive pressure is established in said chamber;
- and
- (d) sensing means depending into said sampling chamber for transmitting a signal indicative of said process parameter to a remote analytical instrument.
The method for the continuous monitoring of a process parameter in a process having a process vessel, said method comprising:
- (a) establishing a sampling chamber having an inlet and an upper portion and an outlet in a lower portion with said inlet and outlet being oppositely disposed and transversely offset from one another;
- (b) introducing a representative process sample into said sampling chamber at said inlet;
- (c) establishing a turbulent flow pattern from said inlet to said outlet;
- (d) restricting the discharge flow thereby maintaining a positive pressure in said chamber greater than the pressure in said vessel;
- (e) returning said process sample to said process vessel;
- and
- (f) continually monitoring said process sample in said chamber to obtain a reading indicative of said parameter.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.