Techniques of Gas Spot Sampling

Class EQ 5290

Gary Hollars
Reliant EnergyPipelineServices
PO Box 54979
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 73154-4979

INTRODUCTION turbulence, such as piping bends or orifice plates, as

Why take a spot gas sample? The answer is
apparent. In today's unregulated and competitive
natural gas industry, accurate measurement is more
important every day. Since the composition of
natural gas directly affects volumes, reliable sample
results are a necessity to ensure accurate volume
calculations.
Spot samples are exactly that, a cylinder filled with
natural gas and representative of only the gas
flowing at the time the sample is taken. A spot
sample for lab analysis is usually taken on lower
volume stations as opposed to larger volume
stations that use a proportional to flow continuous
sampler or an on line gas chromatograph. This
paper will deal only with spot samples and
techniques.
possible. Turbulence can cause aerosols
in the flowing stream, which will contaminate the
sample results.
Since liquids can travel along the walls of a pipeline,
a stinger or sample probe should be utilized when
taking spot samples. The sample probe should
extend down into the center 1/3 of the pipe to avoid
any liquids being ingested into the sample. Some
experts are proponents of beveling the sample probe
with the bevel pointing upstream and others feel that
beveling of the probe is of no value.
Several different types and brands of sample probes
are available on the market and each company must
decide which type to use.

Another type of spot sampling that has become

widely used in the natural gas industry is the glass
tube - suction pump method. This procedure is used
to obtain quick readings on natural gas to see if it
contains high dew points, carbon dioxide, hydrogen
sulfide, etc. This presentation will touch briefly on
techniques for using this method. /

LOCATION OF SAMPLE POINT

The first consideration when taking a spot sample for

lab analysis is location, or where to actually take the
sample. In years past a sample cylinder was
i.
screwed onto the meter manifold or a blow off and
filled to line pressure. This method may allow liquid
hydrocarbons to get into the sample, causing the
sample to be higher in heating value. Research by
the Gas Processors Association and others has TYPE OF SAMPLE CYLINDER
proven that meter manifolds or blow offs are not the
best location for obtaining samples. Another consideration when spot sampling for lab
analysis is what type of sample bottle to use. In
The sample connection or location should be located recent history carbon steel sample cylinders were
on straight lengths of pipe as far away from any commonly used for spot sampling. Research has
proven that steel cylinders react with sample
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contents. They may absorb then desorb heavy ends
of the sample, thus contaminating the results of the
analysis. Only stainless steel cylinders should be

used for spot sampling to prevent these chemical

reactions. VALVE 1

• VALVE2

It is recommended that cylinders of at least 300 cc's

be used to ensure adequate sample volumes for
proper lab analysis. It is also very important that SAMPLE
CYUNDER
there are no leaks on the sample cylinder before
shipping for lab analysis as leaks may cause the
contents of the sample to change before it is
analyzed. VALVE3

And finally, it is very important that the lab clean and

evacuate the cylinder before it is returned to the field
and used again. This prevents any 'left over sample'
from contaminating the new sample when taken.

DRIP POT

While it may quicker and easier, the sample should
not be taken directly from the probe. A drip pot
should be installed on the probe and the sample
cylinder should be mounted on the outlet of the drip
pot. The cylinder should be mounted on the outlet of
the drip pot so that the outlet of the cylinder points
downward.
PURGING METHODS
After the drip pot and sample cylinder are installed,
they should be purged before a sample is caught.
There are three common methods of purging used
when spot sampling:

Liquids ingested into the sample can cause the CONSTANT PRESSURE CYLINDER
components to change, thus the results may not be
accurate. The use of the drip pot, along with the
The constant pressure cylinder method uses a
downward position of the" cylinder, ensures that
cylinder with a sliding piston inside the cylinder with
liquids are not ingested into the sample.
pressure on both sides of the piston. The cylinder is
filled to line pressure on the backside to force the
A 'pigtail' with a full opening valve should be installed
piston to one end. The sample is introduced to the
on the outlet valve of the sample cylinder. A pigtail
front side of the cylinder while slowly bleeding the
can be made from 3/8" stainless steel tubing with the
backside of the piston. When analyzed, constant
ball valve on the downstream or outlet side of the
pressure is applied to the backside of the piston.
pigtail. All valves between the probe inlet valve and
the pigtail valve should be wide open during the
This type of sample is always at a constant pressure,
sampling process. (The blow off on the drip pot
thus avoiding composition changes that occur with
should be closed while filling the cylinder.) The
pressure drops when liquids are present. This
wide-open position of the valves will prevent any
method is recognized as the most accurate, but is
pressure drops during the sampling process. Any
more expensive and the cylinders require more care
pressure drop during the sampling process can
in the field.
cause a drop in temperature, thus changing the
composition of the sample.

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CONTINIOUS BLEED
Gas or sample is continuously bled through the
standard type cylinder for a specified time using this
method. It is important to purge very slowly using
this method. The purge rate should be regulated
with the pigtail valve on the cylinder, with all other
valves on the drip pot, sample probe, and cylinder in
the wide open position. Check that the bleed valve
on the drip pot is closed during purging.
is installed on a sample probe in the upright position
with the ball valve used to regulate the flow of
sample. The pop bottle is slipped over the tubing
with the mouth of the bottle in the downward position.
After a slow bleed is started, the glass tube is
inserted up into the bottle, ensuring that only gas is
sampled.
Taking a sample through a bleeding blow off or
meter manifold valve utilizing this method is not
recommended. This sample location may allow air
to be inhaled into the glass tube, thus making the
results inaccurate.

FILL AND EMPTY As with any other spot sampling there are several
precautions to be taken:
The standard type sample cylinder is slowly filled to
line pressure and then exhausted to slightly above I. Ensure that no air is inhaled into the
atmospheric pressure through the bleed valve on the glass tube with the sample. Air will
drip pot. This is done several times to ensure a good contaminate the sample, thus making it
inaccurate.
purge. The final fill is the sample.
2. Rotate the glass tubes. They do have a
shelf life and can get old and give false
Again, ensure that there are no leaks on the sample
readings.
cylinder before shipping for analysis. It is also
important to remember that sample cylinders should 3. Always use a probe when sampling.
4. Never sample 'dead' gas or gas that is
always be shipped in accordance with all state and
DOT rules and regulations. not in a flowing stream. A dead gas
sample may not be representative of the
actual gas stream.
SUCTION PUMP SPOT SAMPLING
Allowable limits on components vary by company, so
they will not be discussed. Follow your own
Another type of spot sampling that has been
company guidelines when deciding on how much is
perfected and became popular in recent years is the
too much. Also, be sure to follow the manufactures'
suction pump - glass tube method. This method is
instructions for operating the suction pump as they
generally used for quick spot checks of dew points,
vary by brand.
carbon dioxide, and hydrogen sulfide, among others.
CONCLUSION
Glass tubes containing chemicals inside are broken
on both ends and inserted into a suction pump. The
Reliable spot sampling is very important for accurate
glass tubes are then inserted into a sample of
flow measurement calculations. Things to remember
flowing natural gas and as the pump is stroked, gas
when spot sampling are:
is inhaled through the tube. Discoloration of the
chemicals inside the glass tube indicates a particular
I. Choose the proper sample location.
component is present in the sample.
2. Use stainless steel cylinders.
3. Always use a sample probe.
A sampling device, or volume tank, should be utilized
4. Usea drip pot.
when using this method. After a slow continuos
5. Always ship cylinders according to all
bleed is started, the volume tank is filled with only
state and DOT regulations.
sample gas and is exhausted through the outlet of
the tank. The glass tube is then inserted into the
volume tank and a sample can be taken.
REFERENCES
While commercial sampling devices or volume tanks
Gas Processors Association, GPA Standard 2166-
are available on the market, a 12" piece of 3/8"
86, 1986 Revision, Tulsa, Oklahoma.
stainless steel tubing, a ¼" ball valve, and a
common glass pop bottle make an excellent and
economical volume tank. The stainless steel tubing
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