Method of analyzing entrained liquid in a vapor containing fluid
A system for the retrieval and initial conditioning of sample gas for “on line” analyzers or filling of gas sample cylinders. The preferred embodiment of the present invention contemplates a system configured to obtain a representative gas phase sample from a process gas containing entrained liquid, or a process gas which generally is highly susceptible to partial condensation of some gas phase components. The preferred embodiment of the present invention teaches an assembly including a phase separation membrane and housing configured to facilitate the removal of entrained liquid from a sample gas stream. Accuracy of the sample is enhanced, and compositional changes are avoided by first extracting a sample from the process gas followed by removal of entrained liquid it may contain, with the entrained liquid removal being conducted at the prevailing process gas pressure and temperature. Thereafter the liquid free sample may be desaturated by lowering its pressure to reduce its susceptibility to condensation.
1. The method of discerning the composition or amount of entrained fluid in a fluid stream containing vapor and entrained liquid, comprising the steps of:
a. obtaining a first representative sample of said fluid stream containing both vapor and entrained liquid in amounts representative of said fluid stream at prevailing temperature and pressure conditions;
b. obtaining a second representative sample of gas in vapor phase from said fluid stream, under prevailing temperature and pressure conditions;
c. vaporizing said entrained liquid in said first representative sample, while maintaining said vapor present in obtaining said first representative sample, so as to produce a homogeneous vapor phase sample;
d. analyzing said second representative sample, providing vapor phase data on vapor in said fluid stream at prevailing pressure and temperature conditions;
e. analyzing said homogenous vapor phase sample, obtaining homogenous vapor/liquid data on the composition of said fluid stream;
f. comparing said vapor phase data and said vapor/liquid data, and discerning the differences thereof.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein in step “f” there is discerned the amount of entrained liquid present in said fluid stream.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein in steps “d” and “e”, gas chromatography is utilized to perform the analysis.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein in step “f” there is discerned the composition of entrained liquid present in said fluid stream.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein in step “f” there is discerned the presence or absence of entrained liquid in said fluid stream.