Sampling system for fluidized bed gas phase polymerization reaction systems

An apparatus comprising:

• (1) a pressure rated sampling vessel with a conical discharge bottom having a cone angle of at least 45° to prevent sticky solids from bridging the bottom of the vessel;
• (2) one or more filters to keep a solid product inside the sampling vessel and prevent said solid product from migrating to instrumentation or to one or more process streams;
• (3) one or more full-bore PLC-controlled remotely actuated valves connected to a reactor, that minimize leaks from the reactor into the sampling vessel;
• (4) one or more PLC-controlled remotely actuated valves connecting the sampling vessel to other process streams comprising purge gas, quench agent, vent, flare, reactor cycle gas, or to discharge the product;
• (5) a programmable logic controller (PLC) connecting the PLC-controlled remotely actuated valves and the sample vessel, which sequences the operation of the PLC-controlled remotely actuated valves and performs logic tests in conjunction with one or more process instrumentation devices including pressure, temperature, and flow sensors ensuring the apparatus is operating safely and is performing requested functions;
• and
• (6) a manual discharge isolation valve coupling a sample container and the sample vessel which allows control of a final discharge of the product into the sample container of off-line analysis.