In-line diluting extractor

A device for the extraction and delivery of diluted representative samples of a processed medium, flowing in a process stream, for the analysis by a particle measurement instrument, said device comprising:

• an extraction conduit including a probe end having an opening extending through an exterior surface of said extraction conduit into an interior cavity, said probe end located substantially within and transverse to said process stream with said opening facing the flow of said process stream;
• a diluent delivery conduit having an interior bore connected to a source of diluent medium, said diluent delivery conduit substantially housed within said extraction conduit cavity in coaxial alignment with said extraction conduit, forming therebetween a sample delivery passage, said diluent delivery conduit including an opening extending through an exterior surface of said diluent delivery conduit into said bore in direct face-to-face alignment with said extraction conduit opening;
• a flow control device connected to said diluent delivery conduit and to said source of diluent medium, said flow control device arranged to be operated to connect said source of diluent medium to said diluent delivery conduit bore and to control the flow rate of diluent medium released through said diluent delivery conduit opening;
• and
• an extraction chamber connected to said sample delivery passage and to said particle measurement system, said flow control device operated to release diluent medium from said diluent delivery conduit opening over said extraction conduit opening at a flow rate less than the impact force exerted by said process stream against said extraction conduit opening whereby, responsive to said impact force, a portion of said processed medium enters said extraction conduit opening and mixes with said diluent medium in said sample delivery passage proximate said diluent delivery conduit opening, causing a stream of said diluted representative samples to flow through said sample delivery passage into said extraction chamber for analysis by said particle measurement instrument.