For quality measurement, automatic sampling systems for liquids are used to accurately determine the quality of the (crude) oil samples. Automatic or manual sampling systems are used to collect representative samples to be analyzed in a laboratory.

Automatic sampling allows the quality (e.g. water and sediment content) of a (mostly crude oil) pipeline transfer to be established. This together with the metered quantity is used to calculate the product volume for commercial and fiscal transactions. The automatic sampling is for crude oils, which commonly contain water and sediment.

Automatic liquid sampling systems are designed conform the Standard Practice for Automatic Sampling of Petroleum and Petroleum Products API 8.2, ASTM D.4177  and ISO-3171 standards with an automatic sampler probe, sample receivers, PLC controller.

The Automatic Probe sampler is the basic and most important integral part of the automatic inline probe sampling systems, it is a heavy duty reliable and accurate sample extraction device, which is designed to be mounted directly on the main pipeline and takes continiously grab crude oil samples of 1 ml volume, the sampler is actuated by a solenoid valve which is driven by a controller, generating either a flow proportional or time based signal, depending on the process. The Automatic Probe sampler is an integral part of the inline probe sampling systems.

Sample receivers, samples collected with the automatic fast-loop or in-line samplers are transferred to a sample receiver for storage.

The point is that a sample is physically removed from the pipeline and collected in a sample receiver that fully reflects the batch in question.

In contrast to manual sampling, where one sample is taken at a specific time, you see with automatic sampling that up to 10,000 samples are taken per batch with a volume of 1 ml.

Automatic Sampling Standards

There are three well-known sampling standards that are used worldwide for automatic sampling of crude oil. Standards both for the automatic liquid sampling in fast loop and inline sampling systems designed and built by Doedijns are based on the API 8.2, ISO-3171 and ASTM D.4177 standards and the equipment totally complies with these.

• API 8.2: Standard Practice for Automatic Sampling of Petroleum and Petroleum Products
• ASTM D.4177: Standard Practice for Automatic Sampling of Petroleum and Petroleum Products
• ISO-3171: Petroleum liquids – Automatic pipeline sampling
• Other standards (e.g. GOST) may be specified.

Representative Automatic Sampling of Crude Oil

The big advantage of crude oil automatic sampling systems conform API 8.2 is the possibility to take a flow proportional or time based sample. With automatic grab sampling you get an average sample in the sample receivers from a whole blend or pipeline transfer to calculate the product volume for commercial and fiscal transactions. We have improved our automatic sampling systems for liquids by:

• Creating closed loop systems emission free which provide a safe, controlled environment
• Suitable for high pressure process application
• In-the-line or fast-loop samplers
• Fixed or variable volume receivers
• Simplifying designs, making the sampling of liquid and gas more efficient
• Proper discharge of excess liquid or gas prevents unwanted pressure build-up in the system

These modern solutions simply regard the sampling systems themselves. Our worldwide reputation rests on the combination of excellent systems, and professional services by our team of specialists.