Why Dopak sampling systems matter

Driving Safety, Accuracy, and Efficiency in Process Engineering: Why Dopak Sampling Systems Matter

In the UK’s process engineering sector, there’s one common challenge that transcends industries — from chemicals and petrochemicals to pharmaceuticals and energy: how do we safely and accurately take representative samples of hazardous liquids, gases, or slurries for analysis?

Sampling is at the heart of every process. Whether it’s ensuring quality control, meeting regulatory requirements, or driving continuous improvement, the data you collect is only as good as the sample itself. But sampling is not without risk. Operators often face hazardous substances, pressurised systems, volatile compounds, and strict environmental regulations.

This is where Dopak sampling systems provide a proven solution — systems engineered to deliver representative samples while safeguarding both people and the environment.

Why Sampling Matters More Than Ever

The UK process industries face growing pressures:

• Tighter environmental and safety regulations under COMAH, ATEX, and COSHH.
• Net Zero commitments pushing plants to reduce emissions and waste.
• Operational excellence targets, where even small inefficiencies can have significant impacts.

Sampling might appear to be a small part of the process, but its consequences are enormous. An inaccurate or unsafe sampling method can lead to:

• Faulty data that compromises product quality.
• Operator exposure to hazardous substances.
• Fugitive emissions with environmental impact.
• Increased costs from wasted product or unplanned downtime.

Put simply: safe and representative sampling is critical to running a responsible, efficient, and profitable operation.

The Dopak Difference

For over 40 years, Dopak has been the trusted name in closed-loop sampling systems across the globe. In the UK, where industries operate under some of the most stringent safety and environmental standards, Dopak systems offer three critical advantages:

1. Safety Without Compromise

Traditional sampling often requires open systems, leading to spills, vapours, or direct operator contact with hazardous substances. Dopak’s closed-loop design eliminates these risks. Samples are taken directly into sealed bottles, cylinders, or bags, ensuring no exposure to operators and no release to the atmosphere.

The result: compliance with UK HSE guidelines and total peace of mind.

2. Truly Representative Samples

Process engineers know that the value of a sample lies in its accuracy. Dopak systems are designed to deliver true-to-process samples under the same pressure, temperature, and phase conditions as in the pipeline. This ensures the analysis is reliable and actionable.

No more discrepancies, no more wasted time chasing false results — just data you can trust.

3. Flexibility Across Applications

Every process is unique. That’s why Dopak offers a wide portfolio of systems, from simple liquid sampling valves to advanced gas and slurry sampling solutions. Configurations can be tailored to suit hazardous areas, extreme temperatures, or highly viscous products.

Whether you’re running a refinery in the North East, a pharmaceutical facility in the South, or a chemical plant in the Midlands, there’s a Dopak solution to match your requirements.

Applications Across the UK Process Engineering Sector

Dopak sampling systems are already making an impact across industries in the UK:

• Chemical manufacturing: safely handling corrosive, toxic, or volatile chemicals while maintaining product integrity.
• Petrochemical and refining: ensuring accurate testing for hydrocarbons under pressure, without environmental releases.
• Pharmaceuticals: meeting strict GMP standards with systems that eliminate contamination risks.
• Energy and utilities: supporting clean energy transitions with safe sampling of gases and process fluids.
• Food and beverage: delivering hygiene and precision where product quality is paramount.

Wherever sampling is required, Dopak delivers the reliability that engineers and operators demand.

The Sustainability Imperative

Beyond safety and accuracy, sustainability is now a boardroom priority. The UK’s Net Zero goals are shaping decisions across every process sector. Sampling is no exception.

Dopak’s closed-loop systems prevent product loss, minimise emissions, and reduce waste. For many operators, this means measurable reductions in VOC emissions, lower carbon footprints, and better compliance reporting.

In other words: adopting Dopak systems isn’t just good engineering — it’s a visible contribution to your organisation’s ESG commitments.

Why Partner with Dopak in the UK?

Choosing a sampling system is not just about hardware — it’s about partnership. Dopak works closely with UK engineering firms, EPCs, and plant operators to deliver solutions that meet both today’s requirements and tomorrow’s challenges.

• Local expertise: support from engineers who understand the UK regulatory and operational landscape.
• Custom design: systems tailored to your exact process needs.
• Training and support: ensuring operators are confident and safe in their use.
• Proven reliability: decades of successful applications worldwide.

This is why leading names in the UK process industries continue to trust Dopak.

A Practical Example

Consider a chemical plant that previously relied on open beakers for sampling a volatile organic compound. Operators faced frequent vapour exposure, and the plant struggled with compliance to emission limits.

After installing a Dopak closed-loop liquid sampling system:

• Operator exposure dropped to zero.
• VOC emissions were cut by 95%.
• Samples became more accurate, reducing batch rework.
• The plant reported cost savings within the first year.

This is the tangible value that process engineers can achieve by upgrading to a safer, smarter solution.

Looking Ahead

As the UK process engineering sector continues to evolve, sampling systems will play an even bigger role in ensuring safety, compliance, and efficiency. The question for engineers is no longer whether to adopt closed-loop sampling, but how quickly.

Dopak offers a future-proof answer: systems designed to meet the challenges of today while ready for the sustainability and digitalisation demands of tomorrow.

Take the Next Step

If you’re a process engineer, operations manager, or EHS leader in the UK, now is the time to review your sampling practices. Ask yourself:

• Are your operators fully protected during sampling?
• Do your samples truly represent process conditions?
• Are you confident you’re minimising emissions and waste?

If the answer to any of these is “no” or even “I’m not sure,” then it’s worth exploring how Dopak can help.

Ready to Learn More?

At Dopak, we’re passionate about helping UK process industries sample smarter, safer, and more sustainably. To discuss your specific challenges or to arrange a consultation with  our UK-based experts at Derwent James, get in touch today.

Because in process engineering, every sample matters.