Method and apparatus for sampling and detecting gases in a fluid

A method of monitoring for the presence of a test gas in both of a liquid and of an ambient atmosphere of a concentration above a threshold level, said method comprising a repetitively taking and introducing a series of first samples of the liquid into a test chamber;

• for each first sample, said sample taking comprising the steps of:
• a) separating the test gas from the liquid of each first sample of the series introduced into the test chamber;
• b) conveying the separated test gas of each first sample to a gas sensor;
• c) repetitively operating the gas sensor to detect whether the concentration of each separated test gas of each first sample is above the threshold level and, if so, to provide an alarm;
• and
• d) taking and conveying a second sample of the ambient atmosphere to the gas sensor, before operating the sensor to detect whether the concentration of the test gas in the second sample in the ambient atmosphere is above the threshold level and, if so, to provide an alarm indicating that the test gas in the atmosphere may be contaminating a detection by the sensor of the presence of the test gas in the next first sample.

Apparatus for taking first samples of a liquid containing a test gas from a plurality of corresponding first spaces and taking second samples of a mixture of the test gas and another gas from a plurality of corresponding second spaces, and for monitoring each of the first and second samples for the presence of the test gas of a concentration above a threshold level, said apparatus comprising:

• a) a plurality of first actuable valves, each of said first actuable valves being connected to a corresponding one of the plurality of first spaces;
• b) a plurality of second actuable valves, each of said second actuable valves being connected to a corresponding one of the plurality of second spaces;
• c) a test chamber connected with each of said first actuable valves for receiving one first sample at a time from an actuated one of said plurality of first actuable valves;
• d) means for separating the test gas from the liquid of the one first sample in said test chamber;
• e) gas detecting means in communication with said test chamber for receiving the separated test gas from the one first sample and with each of said second actuable valves for receiving one second sample at a time from an actuated one of said plurality of second actuable valves;
• and
• f) controlling means connected with each of said pluralities of said first actuable valves and of said second actuable valves for selectively actuating only one of said first and second actuable valves at a time to permit the detection by said gas detecting means of the test gas in only one the first or second samples at a time.

Apparatus for monitoring a series of samples of a liquid containing a test gas for the presence of the test gas of a concentration above a threshold level, said apparatus comprising:

• a) means for defining a test chamber;
• b) means for repetitively taking and introducing the series of samples into said test chamber, each sample of said series being of a predetermined quantity;
• c) means for agitating each sample of said series within said test chamber to release the test gas from that sample;
• d) sensor means for detecting the presence of the test gas of the concentration above the threshold level to provide an alarm indicative thereof;
• e) means for repetitively conveying the released gas of each sample of said series from said test chamber to said sensor means;
• and
• f) means coupled to said agitating means and, upon the introduction of each sample of the series into said test chamber, for operating said agitating means to provide each sample with a predetermined quantity of agitation.

Apparatus for monitoring a series of samples of a liquid containing a test gas for the presence of the test gas of a concentration above a threshold level, said apparatus comprising:

• a) means for defining a test chamber;
• b) means for repetitively taking and introducing the series of samples into said test chamber, each sample of said series being of a predetermined quantity;
• c) means for agitating each sample of said series within said test chamber to release the test gas from that sample;
• d) sensor means for detecting the presence of the test gas of the concentration above the threshold level to provide an alarm indicative thereof;
• e) means for repetitively conveying the released gas of each sample of said series from said test chamber to said sensor means;
• and
• f) control means responsive to the operation of said agitating means for defeating the operation of said sample taking means and said gas conveying means, whereby said test chamber is sealed to prevent the escape of any released test gas from said test chamber while said agitating means is operative.

Apparatus for monitoring a series of samples of a liquid containing a test gas for the presence of the test gas of a concentration above a threshold level, said apparatus comprising:

• a) means for defining a test chamber;
• b) means for repetitively taking and introducing the series of samples into said test chamber, each sample of said series being of a predetermined quantity, said introducing means comprising flow control means for regulating the introduction of each sample into said test chamber at the same flow rate;
• c) means for agitating each sample of said series within said test chamber to release the test gas from that sample;
• d) sensor means for detecting the presence of the test gas of the concentration above the threshold level to provide an alarm indicative thereof;
• and
• e) means for repetitively conveying the released gas of each sample of said series from said test chamber to said sensor means.

Apparatus for monitoring a series of samples of a liquid containing a test gas for the presence of the test gas of a concentration above a threshold level, said apparatus comprising:

• a) means for defining a test chamber;
• b) means for repetitively taking and introducing the series of samples into said test chamber, each sample of said series being of a predetermined quantity;
• c) means for agitating each sample of said series within said test chamber to release the test gas from that sample;
• d) sensor means for detecting the presence of the test gas of the concentration above the threshold level to provide an alarm indicative thereof;
• and
• e) means for repetitively conveying the released gas of each sample of said series from said test chamber to said sensor means, said conveying means comprising flow control means for regulating the conveying of the released gas from each sample to said sensor means to be of substantially the same flow rate.

A method of monitoring a series of samples of a liquid containing a test gas for determining the presence of the test gas within one sample above a threshold concentration, said method comprising the repetitively sampling of the liquid to produce a series of samples, each sample being of a predetermined quantity;

• for each sample, said sample taking comprising the steps of:
• a) introducing one sample of said series into a test chamber;
• b) imparting a constant amount of agitation to the one sample of said series within said test chamber to release the test gas from the one sample;
• c) conveying the gas released into the test chamber from the one sample of said series to a sensor;
• and
• d) operating the sensor to detect the presence of the released test gas above the threshold concentration to produce an alarm indicative thereof.

A method of monitoring a series of samples of a liquid containing a test gas for determining the presence of the test gas within one sample above a threshold concentration, said method comprising the repetitively sampling of the liquid to produce a series of samples, each sample being of a predetermined quantity;

• for each sample, said sample taking comprising the steps of:
• a) introducing one sample of said series into a test chamber;
• b) agitating one sample of said series within said test chamber to release the test gas from that one sample, while sealing the test chamber to prevent the escape of the released test gas from the one sample;
• c) conveying the gas released into the test chamber from the one sample of said series to a sensor;
• and
• d) operating the sensor to detect the presence of the released test gas above the threshold concentration to produce an alarm indicative thereof.

A method of monitoring a series of samples of a liquid containing a test gas for determining the presence of the test gas within one sample above a threshold concentration, said method comprising the repetitively sampling of the liquid to produce a series of samples, each sample being of a predetermined quantity;

• for each sample, said sample taking comprising the steps of:
• a) conveying at a flow rate one sample of said series into a test chamber and maintaining constant the flow rate of each sample of the series;
• b) agitating the one sample of said series within said test chamber to release the test gas from the one sample;
• c) conveying the gas released into the test chamber from the one sample of said series to a sensor;
• and
• d) operating the sensor to detect the presence of the released test gas above the threshold concentration to produce an alarm indicative thereof.

A method of monitoring a series of samples of a liquid containing a test gas for determining the presence of the test gas within one sample above a threshold concentration, said method comprising the repetitively sampling of the liquid to produce a series of samples, each sample being of a predetermined quantity;

• for each sample, said sample taking comprising the steps of:
• a) introducing one sample of said series into a test chamber;
• b) agitating one sample of said series within said test chamber to release the test gas from that one sample;
• c) conveying the gas released at a flow rate into the test chamber from the one sample of said series to a sensor, and maintaining constant said flow rate;
• and
• d) operating the sensor to detect the presence of the released test gas above the threshold concentration to produce an alarm indicative thereof.