Sampling the UK Chemical Industry

Chemical industry sampling systems

UK chemical manufacturing is vital to the UK economy.  Due to the growing complexity of industrial processes there is a growing requirement for accurate samples of liquid, gas and liquefied gas to be taken. Chemical industry sampling systems are used on a weekly, daily and sometimes hourly basis. Ensuring the safety of the plant operator taking the samples and the surrounding environment is of paramount importance.

The sample, once taken, should also be a representative sample of the process line or vessel from which it is taken.  The sample must be accurate to ensure product verification.

Sampling the UK Chemical Industry in this way is sometimes known as “closed loop sampling”… In other words the taking of a sample from the process into a sealed container without exposing the product to the operator or the environment. The sampler should also safely vent the sample container with a suitable outlet preventing a buildup of pressure in the sample container.

The Dopak sampling principle is an industry standard for the closed loop sampling of liquids, gases and liquefied gases but what is the Dopak sampling principle?

Chemical industry sampling systems using the Dopak sampling principle

Sampling the UK Chemical Industry using industrial sampling systems which are installed directly into a process line or vessel.  Hence this allows a sample to be drawn directly from the process into a sealed sample container.  Using a needle assembly for absolute sample containment. Furthermore this containment of the sample is achieved using the patented Dopak needle assembly.  The needle assembly pierces a self-sealing diaphragm (septum) placed between the sample bottle and the cap of the chemical sampling bottles. This sealed sample bottle can then be taken safely to the laboratory for analysis.

Representative chemical industry sampling systems.

Sampling the UK Chemical Industry with simple Dopak sampling systems minimize or even eliminate dead volumes (or old product).  Additionally this ensures a 100% representative sample every time a sample is taken.

Various purge options can be used to ensure a representative sample is taken.  Zero dead volumes can also be achieved using the Dopak system 23 sampler. Purge options available include;

• System purge (using the process fluid to purge the sample valve)
• Back purge (using nitrogen to blow old product from the sample system back into the process)
• Needle purge (using nitrogen to purge the sampler needles)

Types of industrial sampling systems

The Dopak range of closed loop samplers is extensive. Furthermore all applications can be resolved using either a standard configuration system or a specially designed system for the more demanding application.

Sampler types

Sampling the UK Chemical Industry on a petrochemical, chemical or pharmaceutical plant the type of sampling applications can vary but the most common sampling applications could include the following:

• General purpose samplers for liquids up to 8 bar pressure (Type DPM)
• Fixed volume sampler for high pressure liquids (Type S23)
• Batch reactor samplers (Type S32)
• Inline samplers (Type DPT)
• Viscous liquid samplers (Type DPJ)
• Anti-static, fire safe samplers (Type HD)
• Gas samplers (Type S32G)
• Liquefied gas samplers (Type S32LG)

Options available

Once the sampling system is selected it is important to note some of the standard sampling options available to make the complete sampling system, these include

• Spring return handles
• Sample coolers & heaters
• Cooling jackets
• Lockable handles
• Enclosures & cabinets
• Exotic materials

Selecting the correct industrial sampling system

When selecting a sampling system for sampling the UK Chemical Industry all is needed is the process data. Additionally the Dopak experts can quickly identify the most appropriate sampling system for the application. The typical process data required includes;

• Process pressure (operating & design)
• Process temperature (operating & design)
• Materials of construction
• Connection types and sizes
• Sample size

When sampling the UK Chemical Industry do choose a “sampling system” to take a sample and not simply a valve. Furthermore the sample is critical to the process.  Also the operator’s safety is paramount and the environment should always be protected so a system designed specifically for taking samples should always be selected.

• Dopak sampling systems are innovative sampling solutions and not just valves
• Dopak have vast industry experience
• Dopak systems are widely accepted as the industry standard for safe sampling in the chemical, petrochemical and pharmaceutical industries.
• Dopak even have the ability to custom build a solution if required.

Closed loop samplers by Dopak are;

• Safer for the environment
• Safer for the sample
• Easy to operate
• Simple to maintain
• Ensure minimal pollution
• Eliminate spills

Start your sampling journey here by contacting us for a no obligation discussion about how you can reduce hazardous sampling emissions and make your daily sampling safer for your operators.

Summary

Article Name

Sampling the UK Chemical Industry

Description

Best practice for safe closed loop sampling of hazardous chemical liquids and gases in the chemical industry.

Author

Neil Finney

Publisher Name

Derwent James Ltd

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