Obtaining internal surface samples from an in-service pipe

Apparatus for obtaining a sample deposit from the interior surface of a pipe main through which a fluid medium flows, said apparatus comprising:

• a first pipe constructed and arranged to be connected to a pipe main so that one end of the first pipe opens into the interior of the pipe main while its other end extends outside of the pipe main;
• a second, fluid pressure supply pipe having attached at one end thereof a balloon-like element made of a flexible material and which can be inflated by application of fluid pressure through said second pipe;
• a swab attached to said balloon-like element so that when said balloon is inflated said swab extends generally in a plan, said balloon, when deflated and with the swab attached, being insertable together with said second pipe, through the first pipe and into the interior of a pipe main,
• means for applying fluid pressure through said second pipe to inflate said balloon-like element inside said pipe main so that it presses said swab against the interior surface of the pipe main whereby material from said interior surface adheres to said the swab;
• means for thereafter releasing the fluid pressure to deflate and collapse the ballon-like element and the swab so that they can be withdrawn from the interior of the pipe main through the first pipe.