Apparatus for integrating sampling and in-line sample splitting of disperse products from transport conduits or at flow transfer points

A sampling apparatus, said sampling apparatus comprising:

• a vertically arranged sampler housing defining a longitudinal axis therethrough, said sampler housing being connectable to a conduit carrying the products to be sampled so that the products flow by gravity through said sampler housing, said sampler housing defining a first entrance port in a top portion thereof to receive the flow of products from the conduit, said sampler housing further defining a first exit port in a bottom portion thereof connectable to a conduit to permit the flow of products through said first exit port to pass into the conduit;
• a sampler head rotatably coupled to said sampler housing about the longitudinal axis thereof, said sampler head being located on the downstream side of said first entrance port to deflect the flow of products therethrough;
• a distributing member located downstream of said sampler head and rotably coupled to said sampler housing about the longitudinal axis thereof, said distributing member defining a distributing conduit to receive a first sample flow of products flowing over said sampler head and distribute the first sample flow of products therethrough;
• a motor coupled to said sampler head to rotatably drive said sampler head and coupled to said distributing member to rotatably drive said distributing member;
• a first collecting member mounted to said sampler housing downstream of said sampler head, said first collecting member defining a second entrance port to receive the remainder of the flow of products over said sampler head, said first collecting member further defining a second exit port to permit the products to pass therethrough and into said first exit port;
• a flow splitting member coupled to said sampler housing downstream of said distributing member to receive the first sample flow of products from said distributing member, said flow splitting member defining at least one splitter opening extending therethrough to receive a second sample flow of products from the first sample flow of products flowing onto said splitting member, said flow splitting member including
• first means for varying the size of said splitter opening during the operation of said apparatus to control the amount of second sample products flowing therethrough,
• said flow splitting member further defining a third exit port to permit the remainder of the first sample flow of products to pass therethrough and flow through said housing first exit port;
• and
• a sampling conduit coupled to said housing downstream of said at least one splitter opening, said sampling conduit defining a third entrance port to receive said second sample flow of products for analyzing the sampled products.