US 11,788,934 B2
In-line fluid and solid sampling within flowlines
Rami Al Moaikel, Dhahran (SA); and Pablo Daniel Genta, Dhahran (SA)
Assigned to Saudi Arabian Oil Company, Dhahran (SA)
Filed by Saudi Arabian Oil Company, Dhahran (SA)
Filed on Jul. 1, 2020, as Appl. No. 16/918,256.
Prior Publication US 2022/0003638 A1, Jan. 6, 2022
Int. Cl. G01N 1/20 (2006.01); G01N 1/08 (2006.01); F16L 55/40 (2006.01); F16L 55/48 (2006.01); F16L 101/30 (2006.01)
CPC G01N 1/2035 (2013.01) [F16L 55/40 (2013.01); F16L 55/48 (2013.01); G01N 1/08 (2013.01); F16L 2101/30 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus comprising:
a body configured to be disposed within a pipe flowing a fluid, wherein the body comprises:
a first plate;
a second plate; and
a cylindrical housing extending from the first plate to the second plate;
a fluid sampling conduit disposed within the body, the fluid sampling conduit configured to obtain a sample of the fluid flowing in the pipe, wherein the fluid sampling conduit is disposed within the cylindrical housing and extends from the first plate to the second plate, the fluid sampling conduit comprising a first open end at the first plate and a second open end at the second plate;
an odometer wheel coupled to the body, the odometer wheel configured to measure a distance traveled by the body within the pipe based on rotating while contacting an inner wall of the pipe as the apparatus travels through the pipe, wherein the odometer wheel is coupled to an arm at a coupling point on the arm, the arm coupled to and extending from the body, the odometer wheel configured to rotate about the coupling point;
an elastomeric ring surrounding at least a portion of the body, the elastomeric ring configured to contact the inner wall of the pipe and remove material disposed on the inner wall of the pipe as the apparatus travels through the pipe; and
a solid sampling subsystem coupled to and external to the body, the solid sampling subsystem comprising:
a capsule;
an inlet valve coupled to the capsule; and
a tubing coupled to the inlet valve, wherein the inlet valve is configured to, when opened, allow at least a portion of material removed from the inner wall of the pipe by the elastomeric ring to flow through the tubing and into the capsule.