Retractable sample scoop and method for pipeline sampling

Abstract

A retractable sample scoop is shown that is mountable to a pipeline for taking samples from the pipeline. A retractable mounting mechanism mounts to the pipeline wall. A tubular is extendable into the opening of pipeline and retractable from the pipeline. A first seal creates sealing around the tubular portion with respect to said pipeline while permitting insertion, retraction and rotation of said first tubular portion with respect to said pipeline. A second seal comprises a tubular without threads to pipe connector with threads.

Claims

1. A retractable sample scoop mountable to a pipeline for taking samples from the pipeline, said pipeline comprising an opening in a pipeline wall for taking said samples, said pipeline being operable for transporting fluid comprising at least one of liquid oil, oil, gas, or petroleum products, said retractable sample scoop comprising: a retractable mounting mechanism attachable to said pipeline wall; a tubular supported by said retractable mounting mechanism, said tubular comprising a scoop end, said tubular defining an internal bend at said scoop end leading to a face that defines an opening for said samples of said fluid comprising at least one of liquid oil, oil, gas, or petroleum products, said tubular being extendable into said opening of said pipeline and retractable from said pipeline; a resilient seal for said retractable mounting mechanism operable to seal off around said tubular with respect to said pipeline, said resilient seal and an outer surface of said tubular being configured to permit said tubular to allow movement of said tubular through said resilient seal to permit insertion, retraction and rotation of said tubular with respect to said pipeline; a non-resilient seal around said tubular, wherein said non-resilient seal comprises a ferrule and said resilient seal comprises an O-ring; and a plurality of supports for said retractable mounting mechanism, a movable yoke that is secured around said tubular, interconnections between said movable yoke and said plurality of supports operable to permit movement of said movable yoke with respect to said plurality of supports and said pipeline, and a fixed yoke, said fixed yoke being selectively mountable with respect to said pipeline, said fixed yoke being selectively mountable to said pipeline at a position closer to said pipeline than said movable yoke, said non-resilient seal further comprising a compression nut positioned to apply pressure to said ferrule, said non-resilient seal being configured for operation in a first mode and a second mode, in said first mode said compression nut is sufficiently tight against said ferrule to prevent rotation of said tubular with respect to said non-resilient seal, and in said second mode said compression nut is sufficiently loose against said ferrule to permit rotation of said tubular within said resilient seal and said non-resilient seal with respect to said pipeline, wherein said tubular is configured to be rotatable within said resilient seal with respect to said pipeline to allow said face to be oriented within said pipeline when said non-resilient seal is in said second mode of operation.

2. The retractable sample scoop of claim 1, wherein said interconnections comprise threaded interconnections that permit rotation of said supports to control said movement of said movable yoke with respect to said plurality of supports, said fixed yoke being mounted to remain stationary with respect to said pipeline during said movement of said movable yoke.

3. The retractable sample scoop of claim 1, wherein said resilient seal is positioned adjacent to said fixed yoke that when mounted to said pipeline does not move with respect to said pipeline.

4. The retractable sample scoop of claim 1, further comprising a connector in surrounding relationship to said tubular that is secured to said movable yoke being operable to connect to a fitting in surrounding relationship to said tubular that is secured to said fixed yoke.

5. The retractable sample scoop of claim 1, wherein said tubular is mounted to be extendable and retractable with respect to said opening of said pipeline in response to said retractable mounting mechanism, said tubular further comprises a single tubular comprising a tubular portion that remains just inside of said pipeline when said tubular is fully extended, said tubular portion comprises a circular circumference, said scoop end comprising a scoop end maximum circumference along a length of said scoop end less than or equal to a tubular portion circumference of said tubular portion such that said scoop end would fit through any opening that said tubular portion comprising said circular circumference would fit through.

6. A retractable sample scoop mountable to a pipeline for taking samples from the pipeline, said pipeline comprising an opening in a pipeline wall for taking said samples, said pipeline being operable for transporting fluid comprising at least one of liquid oil, oil, gas, or petroleum products, said retractable sample scoop comprising: a retractable mounting mechanism attachable to said pipeline wall; a tubular supported by said retractable mounting mechanism, said tubular comprising a scoop end, said tubular defining an internal bend at said scoop end leading to a face that defines an opening for said samples of said fluid comprising at least one of liquid oil, oil, gas, or petroleum products, said tubular being extendable into said opening of said pipeline and retractable from said pipeline; a resilient seal for said retractable mounting mechanism operable to seal off around said tubular with respect to said pipeline, said resilient seal and an outer surface of said tubular being configured to permit said tubular to allow movement of said tubular through said resilient seal to permit insertion, retraction and rotation of said tubular with respect to said pipeline; a non-resilient seal around said tubular, wherein said non-resilient seal comprises a ferrule and said resilient seal comprises an O-ring; and a plurality of supports for said retractable mounting mechanism, a movable yoke that is secured around said tubular, interconnections between said movable yoke and said plurality of supports operable to permit movement of said movable yoke with respect to said plurality of supports and said pipeline, and a fixed yoke, wherein said fixed yoke being selectively mountable with respect to said pipeline, said fixed yoke being selectively mountable to said pipeline at a position closer to said pipeline than said movable yoke, said non-resilient seal further comprising a compression nut positioned to apply pressure to said ferrule, said non-resilient seal being configured for operation in a first mode and a second mode, in said first mode said compression nut is sufficiently tight against said ferrule to prevent rotation of said tubular with respect to said non-resilient seal, and in said second mode said compression nut is sufficiently loose against said ferrule to permit rotation of said tubular within said resilient seal and said non-resilient seal with respect to said pipeline, wherein said tubular is configured to be rotatable within said resilient seal with respect to said pipeline to allow said face to be oriented within said pipeline when said non-resilient seal is in said second mode of operation, said tubular is secured to said movable yoke, and said movable yoke, said plurality of supports, and said fixed yoke are configured to rotate with said tubular.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects of the invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate an understanding of the invention.

(2) FIG. 1A is a front elevational view, partially in hidden lines, of a scoop to obtain a product sample in accord with one possible embodiment of the present invention.

(3) FIG. 1B is a side elevational view, in cross-section, of the scoop of FIG. 1A in accord with one possible embodiment of the present invention.

(4) FIG. 2A is a side elevational view, partially in cross-section, showing the scoop of FIGS. 1A and 1B mounted to a pipe utilizing a tubular to pipe connection in accord with one possible embodiment of the invention.

(5) FIG. 2B is an enlarged elevational view, in cross-section, showing a tubular to pipe in accord with one possible embodiment of the invention.

(6) FIG. 3A is a side elevational view, partially in cross-section, showing a retractable scope and yoke design that in a retracted position with respect to a pipeline in accord with one possible embodiment of the present invention.

(7) FIG. 3B is a side elevational view, partially in cross-section, showing the retractable scope and yoke design of FIG. 3A in an extended position with respect to a pipeline in accord with one possible embodiment of the present invention.

(8) FIG. 3C is a front elevational view, partially in hidden lines, showing the retractable scoop and yoke design of FIGS. 3A and 3B prior to mounting a threaded connector to the pipe connector in accord with one possible embodiment of the invention;

(9) FIG. 3D is a top view of a yoke component for a retractable scoop in accord with one possible embodiment of the present invention.

(10) FIG. 4 is a side elevational view, partially in hidden lines, showing one type of compact sampling and/or densitometer loop with tandem scoops in accord with one possible embodiment of the present invention.

(11) FIG. 5 is a front elevational view, partially in hidden lines, showing another type of compact sampling and/or densitometer loop with tandem scoops in accord with one possible embodiment of the present invention.

(12) FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a prover, sampling and/or densitometer loop with tandem scoops in accord with one possible embodiment of the present invention.

(13) FIG. 7 is side view, partially in hidden lines of a first type of bidirectional flow single tubular flow scoop that provides a sampling and/or densitometer and/or prover loop in accord with one possible embodiment of the present invention.

(14) FIG. 8 is a side view, partially in cross-section, showing a second type of bidirectional flow single tubular flow scoop with a mixing chamber in accord with one possible embodiment of the present invention.

(15) FIG. 9A is a side elevational view of wafer mounted tandem scoops that provides a sampling and/or densitometer and/or flow meter loop in accord with one possible embodiment of the present invention.

(16) FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 9A along lines A-A in accord with one possible embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(17) Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or manner.

(18) FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B show a bended scoop design 10 that comprises a single seamless pipe or tubular with first tubular portion 12 adjacent scoop end 14. Second tubular portion 28 has a larger outer diameter 30 than outer diameter 26 of first tubular portion 12.

(19) One possible method of the present invention involves machining the single tubular pipe to reduce the original pipe stock diameter to outer diameter 30 of second tubular portion 28. Then further machining reduces the outer diameter of first tubular portion 12 to outer diameter 26. Shoulder 32 is formed between first tubular portion 12 and second tubular portion 28. The scoop end is then bent as shown to provide scope face 16 that is oriented laterally and preferably perpendicular with respect to centerline 24 as indicated by line scoop face centerline 19.

(20) Accordingly, the bending of first tubular portion 12 of scoop design 10 results in forming scoop face 16. In one embodiment, scoop face 16 provides opening 22 (See FIG. 1A) that is preferably perpendicular and at least angled with respect to tubular centerline 24 as indicated by the perpendicular scoop face centerline 20. At least a portion and preferably the centerline of scoop face 16 is coaxial with a surface of the straight portion of first tubular portion 12. Scoop face 16 comprises outline 36 that preferably defines a plane that is parallel to axis 24. Outline 36 can be elliptical or substantially elliptical in shape. A smaller axis 21 of the ellipse of outline 36 is substantially equal to an internal diameter 38 of scoop design 10. The larger axis of the ellipse varies with respect to the bend radius.

(21) First tubular portion 12 is bent to provide bend radius 18 as shown in FIG. 1B. Bend radius 18 is between two times and four times of scoop 10 and preferably two and four times that of outer diameter 30 of second tubular portion 28 although conceivably between two and four times outer diameter 26 of first tubular portion 12. In another embodiment, bend radius 18 may be between two and three times outer diameter 28. In another embodiment, bend radius 18 may be between 2.3 and 2.7 times outer diameter 28 and/or may be within a smaller range or larger range or outside these ranges. The bend radius may vary depending on the outer diameter of first tubular portion 12. The bend radius affects the fluid flow characteristics and these ranges have been found to provide the best fluid flow through bended sample scoop design 10.

(22) While the features of the scoop face 16 are defined herein in terms of geometrical features such as planes, ellipses, perpendicular, and so forth, it is understood that the features are not geometrically perfect and could have variations, e.g., with 2 and/or to 5 and/or to 10 and/or to 20 range degree variations and any range there between. However, the design may fall outside these ranges and may include corresponding non-linearities.

(23) Scoop 10 provides mark 34 shown in FIG. 1A that is aligned with the center of scoop face 16. This allows alignment of scoop face 16 with respect to the center line of the pipeline as discussed with respect to FIG. 2. In other words, scoop 10 can be rotated to provide that mark 34 is in-line with the axis of the pipeline, whereupon the scoop is fixed in that orientation as discussed hereinbefore.

(24) Scoop design 10 is preferably provided in three different sizes with outer diameter 30 ranging from one inch to one and one-half inches.

(25) FIG. 2A shows the scoop design 10 mounted in an orientable or alignable sampling assembly 200 that permits alignment of scoop face 16 with respect to the pipeline axis and flow arrow 219. In this way, flow or fluid pressure into scoop face 16 can be maximized. Orientable sampling assembly 200 is believed to be yet another significant improvement over the prior art.

(26) Alignable or orientable sampling assembly 200 preferably utilizes tubular to pipe connector 202, which is commercially available off the shelf, in a highly unique manner. As used herein, tubulars do not have threads. On the other hand pipe connectors require threads. Tubular to pipe connector 202 comprises a tubular pipe connection with ferrule seals 218, 220 and threaded pipe connection with threads 208. Accordingly a tubular to threaded connection comprises a connection from a non-threaded cylinder to a threaded connection. Tubular to pipe connector 202 comprises compression nut 204, which is threadably securable to pipe connector 206 utilizing threads 222. Pipe connector 206 provides pipe connection with threads 208 to receptacle 210, which is provided on pipe 212. Receptacle 210 utilizes seal 214 with pipe 212, which can be one of three sanctioned connections 1) pipe threads & sealant; 2) socket weld or 3) butt-weld. Valve 216 may be secured to an upper end of scoop design 10 and may be utilized to provide samples of the pipe fluid as desired.

(27) FIG. 2B shows an enlarged view of tubular to pipe connector 202. It will be seen that compression nut 204 can be utilized to compress ferrules 218 and 220 for sealing around the tubular body of scoop design 10. As compression nut 204 is tightened by rotation on threads 222, a seal is formed, which may be referred to as a first seal in the claims, around the tubular body of scoop design 10. Further, threads 208, which may be referred to as a second seal in the claims, are tightened to provide a seal between receptacle 210 and pipe connector 206. Shoulder 32, shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, seats onto seat 232 formed within tubular to pipe connector 202.

(28) In operation of one embodiment of alignment or orientation, scoop 10 is placed in tubular to pipe connector 202 until shoulder 32 of scoop 10 engages seat 232 in tubular to pipe connector 202. Scoop 10 can then be rotated to orient scoop face 16 within pipe 212 for receiving flow in pipe 212 as indicated by arrow 219. This is accomplished utilizing mark 34 shown in FIG. 1A that is aligned with the center of scoop face 16.

(29) Once scoop face 16 is aligned with respect to pipe 212, then compression nut 204 can be tightened to seal around the tubular body of scoop 10. Two scoops like that of FIG. 2A may be used to provide a measurement loop for bi-directional flow out of pipe 212 and then return the flow to the pipe after measurements are made as discussed hereinafter.

(30) FIG. 3A, FIG. 3B, FIG. 3C and FIG. 3D show aspects of retractable scoop and yoke design pipeline scoop 300 in accord with one embodiment of the present invention. Retractable pipeline scoop 300 preferably utilizes scoop design 10, which allows easy movement into and out of pipeline 303 because scoop design 10 has the same OD as a single tubular. While other types of scoops could possibly be utilized, scoop design 10 is probably the best type of scoop for use in retractable pipeline scoop 300.

(31) As discussed herein with other embodiments of the invention, two retractable pipeline scoops could be connected together to form a flow loop to measure pipeline fluid with a densitometer, flow meter, prover, and/or takes samples as desired.

(32) Unlike prior art scoops which may be time consuming to remove when a pig is sent down the pipeline, retractable pipeline scoop 300 can be easily retracted from the pipeline and inserted into the pipeline without requiring loss of the seal. Pipeline downtime is therefore greatly reduced.

(33) In this embodiment, upper yoke 305 and lower yoke 304 are mounted on yoke screws 306 and 308. Yoke screws 306 and 308 extend through openings 310 and 312 in overall yoke design 302 shown in FIG. 3D. Scoop 10 extends through but is fixed to opening 314 in upper yoke 305. Openings 311 and 313 in upper yoke 305 are threaded. The corresponding openings 316, 318 are not threaded. Opening 320 in lower yoke 304 allows scoop 10 to slidably move therethrough as seen in FIG. 3A, FIG. 3B, and FIG. 3C.

(34) Accordingly, one main difference between upper yoke 305 and lower yoke 304 is that openings 311 and 313 are threaded whereas openings 316 and 318 are not. As well, upper yoke 305 is secured to scoop 10 whereas lower yoke 304 allows scoop 10 to move therethrough and includes an O-ring seal 329 when the tubular to pipe connector sealing is not yet connected (See FIG. 3C) prior to operation as shown in FIG. 3A (scoop removed from pipeline) and FIG. 3B (scoop extended into pipeline). O-ring seal 329, fitting 334, fitting 336, and receptacle 340 are mountable to pipeline 303 as shown in FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B.

(35) As yoke screws 306 and 308 are rotated, yoke 305 is urged to move. For manual operation, a few turns can be applied to one yoke screw and then applied to the other yoke screw. The operation could be automated.

(36) The sealing of FIG. 2 is utilized during operation as shown in FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B, but utilizes O-rings 329 at 320 prior to connection of the tubular to pipe seals as indicated in FIG. 3C. O-rings may comprise suitable resilient O-ring seal material. The O-ring seal preferably utilizes a smoother finish on the scoop pipe surface. In FIG. 3A, connector 350 is shown beneath movable yoke 305 and spaced apart from threads 352 of fitting 334. In FIG. 3B, connector 350 is secured to fitting 334.

(37) FIG. 3D shows the general plan layout of upper yoke 305 and lower yoke 304 with the differences discussed hereinbefore for openings 310, 312, and 315.

(38) FIG. 4, FIG. 5, FIG. 6, FIG. 9A, and FIG. 9B show various compact tandem scoop configurations that utilize two scoops oriented in opposite directions on a single flange in the pipeline for sampling and/or densitometer and/or flow meter fluid flow loops. The measurement flow loops discussed hereinafter provide sufficient flow of fluid from the pipeline without the need for differential pressure devices (such as pumps or the like), thereby significantly reducing the size, complexity, and fluid contamination. In a preferred embodiment, the compact sampling loops utilize scoop 10 discussed hereinbefore but the present invention is not limited to those scoop designs.

(39) In FIG. 4 there is shown flow axis aligned tandem scoop system 400 mounted to a single flange 406. Scoops 402 and 404 extend through top flange 406, which may be a typical 3-600# mounting flange. Scoops 402 and 404 are sealed by top flange 406, which itself is sealingly mounted to the pipeline. Flow proceeds through flow loop 416 as indicated by arrows 408, 410, 412, and 414 whereby flow is taken out of the pipeline and then returned to the pipeline. Well known configurations of the flow loop may comprise densitometer 418, sampling valves 420, 422, and flow control valves 424, 426, and 428. As per standard API requirements, scoops 402 and 404 are designed to have a length that access the middle .sup.rd of flow.

(40) In tandem scoop system 400, scoops 402 and 404 are positioned upstream and downstream of each other in line with the axis of the pipe and oriented in opposite directions. Scoops 402 and 404 are mounted into a single flange 405 and secured together at a lower end by mounting member 430. Bends 432 and 433 are provided to allow the various connections to be made to valves 426 and 424. Accordingly, an entire sampling system can extend through a single flange mounting.

(41) FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of flow axis aligned scoops 602 and 604 with connections to densitometer 606 and prover 608. A half portion of pipeline 610 is provided with flange 612 secured to flange mounting 614 provided on pipeline 610. Valves 616, 618, 620, and/or other valves can be used to control fluid flow through the measurement flow loop. Fluid samples can be taken at 622 and 624.

(42) Referring now to FIG. 5, perpendicular mount tandem scoop system 500 provides scoops 502 and 504 positioned side by side or perpendicular with respect to the axis of the pipeline. In this embodiment flange 506 may comprise a 2-150# mounting flange. Bends 508 and 510 permit connection to flow loop 506, which in this embodiment comprises densitometer 516 and valves 518, 520. Flow may proceed into and out of the pipeline in a direction through flow loop 509 with flow direction indicated by arrows 512 and 514.

(43) FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B show wafer mount tandem scoop system 900. In two possible examples, wafer flange 902 may comprise a 12 150# or 10 900# wafer flange. The wafer flange can be mounted between flanges in the pipeline so that wafer flange 902 surrounds the flow area going through the pipeline. In this example, scoops 904 and 906 are axially aligned with respect to the pipeline axis and extend from opposite directions and from opposite sides of wafer flange 902. Scoops 904 and 906 are sealed and mounted within wafer flange 902 as indicated at 908 and 910 and are essentially in-line with plane 912 defined by wafer flange 902.

(44) In wafer mount system 200, it is not necessary to provide a bend in scoops 904 and 906. Flow loop 914 can comprise densitometer 916, sampling valves 918, 920, flow meter 926, and control valves 922, 936, 924. Fluid flows through loop 914 in the direction indicated by arrows 928 and 930. As indicated in FIG. 9B, flow proceeds out of the pipeline in the direction shown by arrow 934 and into the pipeline in the direction indicated by arrow 932. Scoop faces 938 and 940 are axially aligned with pipeline centerline 942.

(45) Accordingly, the present invention provides three compact tandem scoop system 400, 500, and 900 that mount two scoops to a single flange.

(46) FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 show bi-directional flow scoops formed within a single pipe. Bi-directional flow loop scoop 700 provides a single tubular scoop that can be utilized to provide a flow loop for density, proving, sampling, and the like as discussed hereinbefore. Bi-directional mixing scoop 800 provides a single tubular scoop that can be utilized to provide a mixing chamber with continually refreshed fluid so that the sample is representative of fluid in the pipeline at the time the sample is taken avoiding the problems of trapped sample at the sampling valve as discussed hereinbefore.

(47) Bi-directional flow loop scoop 700 utilizes single pipe 702 with two separate internal flow paths 704 and 706. The external shape of single pipe 702 is similar or the same as described by scoop 10 discussed hereinbefore so tubular to pipe connector can be utilized for sealing and orientation. Flow proceeds from the pipeline into scoop face 708 as indicated by arrow 710. Fluid then flows as indicated by arrow 712. As indicated by arrow 714, flow goes through a measuring loop, which may be similar to that discussed hereinbefore including a densitometer, prover, sample connections, valves, and the like. Flow then returns as indicated by arrow 716 through tube 718 which enters pipe 702 and is sealed at seal 720. Flow then continues through flowline 706 as indicated by arrow 719 and exits back into the pipeline through opening 722 as indicated by arrow 721. The sealing can be the same as discussed hereinbefore with respect to FIG. 2 utilizing a compression nut that allows orientation of scoop face 708. Bi-directional scoop 700 could also be utilized with the retractable yoke design 300 discussed hereinbefore to provide a retractable bi-directional measurement flow loop.

(48) FIG. 8 provides a single pipe bi-directional scoop 800 that provides a mixing chamber 802 which is continuously refreshed. Prior art sampling systems that utilize a scoop suffer from the problem that stale fluid accumulates therein. Thus, fluid taken at a particular moment may not be representative of fluid in the pipeline. Since the samples are often timed, this could be problematic in verifying that the sample is valid.

(49) Scoop 800 is comprised of single pipe 804. Scoop 800 may be sealed/oriented as discussed with respect to FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B as discussed with respect to FIG. 7 or using other seals as desired. Fluid enters scoop face 806 from the pipeline as indicated by arrow 812. The fluid travels up flow path 808 and enters mixing chamber 802 as indicated by arrow 814. The fluid in mixing chamber 802 is thereby continuously refreshed. Fluid exits mixing chamber 802 via tube 820 and flows in the direction of arrow 816 through flow path 810. Fluid exits single pipe 804 as indicated by arrow 818 through opening 822.

(50) Accordingly, the present invention provides a highly desirable scoop design 10 as indicated in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, a seal and orientation apparatus as indicated in FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, a retractable scoop design shown in FIG. 3A, FIG. 3B, FIG. 3C, FIG. 3D, compact single flange bi-directional tandem mounted scoops as indicated by FIG. 4, FIG. 5, FIG. 6, and FIG. 9A, and single pipe bi-directional scoops as indicated by FIG. 7 and FIG. 8.

(51) The foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description only. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed; and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. Such modifications and variations that may be apparent to a person skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of this invention as defined by the accompanying claims.