US 5,392,634 A · Hydrocarbon analyzer and method of analyzing hydrocarbon

Abstract

A hydrocarbon analyzer for rapidly measuring both methane and nonmethane hydrocarbons is provided. The analyzer includes a nonmethane hydrocarbon absorbing first column connected in series with a methane absorbing second column. A sample gas is propelled in a carrier gas through a carrier gas line into the first and second columns via a change-over valve for switching between a branched line severably connected between the carrier gas line and a first flame ionization detector for measuring nonmethane hydrocarbons and a second flame ionization detector connected to the second column for measuring methane. The change-over valve switches from a gas sample introducing position to a backflush position so that the sample gas is introduced into the first nonmethane hydrocarbon absorbing column where the nonmethane hydrocarbons are absorbed and the methane is transferred to the second methane absorbing column prior to backflushing the carrier gas to elute the absorbed hydrocarbons which are directed to the first and second hydrogen flame ionization detectors.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A hydrocarbon analyzer for rapidly detecting and measuring hydrocarbon components of a gas sample, said analyzer comprising:

means for separately adsorbing methane and nonmethane hydrocarbon components of said gas sample;
means for introducing said gas sample with a carrier gas from a carrier gas line into said means for separately adsorbing;
a branched line severably connected between said carrier gas line and a first flame ionization detector for measuring said nonmethane hydrocarbon components of said gas sample;
a second flame ionization detector for measuring said methane components of said gas sample, said second flame ionization detector connected to said means for separately adsorbing;
and
a change-over valve for switching said means for separately adsorbing, said means for introducing, said branched line, and said first and second flame ionization detectors from a gas sample introducing position to a backflush position.

3 more elements

A hydrocarbon analyzer for rapidly detecting and measuring high polarity nonmethane components and high-boiling-point and low-boiling-point nonmethane components of a gas sample, said analyzer comprising:

a nonmethane adsorbing column having an upstream end, a downstream end, a front member disposed on said upstream end and including a carrier coated with liquids having an OH-group to adsorb said high polarity and high-boiling-point components, and a rear member disposed on said downstream end and including adsorbers for adsorbing low-boiling-point components;
means for introducing said gas sample in a carrier gas from a carrier gas line from a sample gas measuring pipe into said upstream end of said column;
a branched line extending from said carrier gas line upstream of said sample gas measuring pipe and including a bypass line terminating into a flame ionization detector;
and
a change-over valve for switching from an initial gas sample introducing position connecting said carrier gas line, said sample gas measuring pipe and said adsorbing column simultaneously in parallel with said branched line, said bypass line and said flame ionization detector, to a backflush position, simultaneously disconnecting said measuring pipe from said column, connecting said carrier gas line to said downstream end of said column, and connecting said upstream end of said column to said flame ionization detector to backflush said column.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Hydrocarbon analyzer and method of analyzing hydrocarbon

Life of this patent

Hydrocarbon analyzer and method of analyzing hydrocarbon

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18