Apparatus and method for process line testing

Abstract

The invention relates to an apparatus and method for testing the properties of chemicals in a reaction flow stream. In the method, chemicals from the reaction flow stream are directed to the apparatus for testing the physical properties of the chemicals, which is an indication of the state of the chemical reaction. Data measured by the apparatus is stored in a computer, and the computer may be used to analyze the data and to control the reaction parameters based on the analysis of the data. The apparatus used for the analysis comprises a rheometer having an actuated shaft and a concentric container, wherein the shear properties of the material sampled in the apparatus are measured when the actuator shaft is oscillated within the container. Various unique configurations of the apparatus are described.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for analyzing the chemical or physical properties of a fluid in a reaction flow stream comprising the steps of 
 (a) providing a tap line in a chemical process line for tapping off a sample of fluid from a reaction flow stream    (b) directing said sample of fluid to an analyzer for testing the physical and/or chemical properties of said fluid    (c) collecting data on the physical and/or chemical properties of a fluid from said analyzer and storing said data in a computer, and    (d) using said computer to control the parameters of the chemical reaction process    in said reaction flow stream, wherein the analyzer data is used by the computer to determine current reaction conditions and to control the reaction parameters to maintain or achieve preselected reaction conditions.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  comprising the further step of selecting the analyzer of step (b) to be a rheometer whereby the rheological viscoelastic properties of the reaction flow stream are analyzed.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein step (d) further comprises the step of controlling parameters of the reaction selected from the group comprising temperature, flow rate, ratio of ingredients and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2  further comprising the steps of directing the sample of fluid through said rheometer where the fluid is trapped between two opposed moving surfaces in the rheometer, wherein one of the surfaces is connected to a transducer which measures the forces associated with the movement of the surface.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  comprising the steps of 
 (a) closing the tap line when a sample is within the analyzer and obtaining data on said sample while isolated from the reaction flow stream  
 (b) opening said tap line to obtain a second sample and to return the first sample to said reaction flow stream  
 (c) closing the tap line to obtain data on said second sample, and  
 (d) continuing the process to substantially continuously monitor the properties of the reaction flow stream.  
 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2  comprising the steps of 
 (a) closing the tap line when a sample is within the analyzer and obtaining data on said sample while isolated from the reaction flow stream,  
 (b) opening said tap line to obtain a second sample and to return the first sample to said reaction flow stream,  
 (c) closing the tap line to obtain data on said second sample, and  
 (d) continuing the process to substantially continuously monitor properties of the reaction flow stream.  
 
     
     
         7 . An apparatus  40  for inline testing of properties of a fluid in a reaction flow stream comprising 
 (a) container walls  58  connected to container ends  64 ,  66 ,  
 (b) an actuator shaft  42  associated with a first end  64 , said actuator shaft  42  being connected to a shear block  50  and being adapted for moving a shear block  50  within said container walls  58 , and  
 (c) a force transducer  44  being associated with said actuator shaft  42  for measuring torque forces on said actuator shaft.  
 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7  which further comprises an outcropping  59  in container walls  58  and a step  51  on shearing block  50 , separated by shearing gap  52 , said outcropping  59  and said step  51  being adapted to be in close proximity to one another when shearing block  50  is positioned within apparatus  40  for obtaining test data.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein shearing block  50  has a cross-sectional shape different from the cross-sectional shape of outcropping  59 , wherein recirculation gaps  60  are provided between outcropping  59  and step  51  when apparatus  40  is in testing mode.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein the actuator shaft  42  and transducer  44  are protected from a sample by bellows  48 ,  54 , said bellows  48 ,  54  permitting movement of actuator shaft  42  within apparatus  40 .  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 7  which is adapted to be connected to a reaction flow stream by a tap line whereby a sample enters apparatus  40  through a first end  64  through portal  46  and exits apparatus  40  through portal  56  at second end  66 .  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein stopping means are provided for isolating a sample from a reaction flow stream by stopping sample flow through portals  46  and  56  when data is being obtained on said sample.  
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein stopping means are provided for isolating a sample from a reaction flow stream by stopping sample flow through portals  46  and  56  when data is being obtained from said sample.  
     
     
         14 . An apparatus  110  for inline testing of properties of a fluid in a reaction flow stream comprising 
 (a) a container  122  consisting of container ends  122 B,  122 C and ring  122 A connected to each other by bellows  120 ,  
 (b) an actuator shaft  124  within container  122  being connected to a shearing ring  126  and being adapted for moving shearing ring  126  within said container  122 , and  
 (c) a force transducer  128  being associated with said ring  122 A for measuring torque forces on said ring  122 A.  
 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14  in which a shearing gap  116  separates ring  122 A and shearing ring  126  when shearing ring  126  is positioned within container  122  for obtaining test data.  
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein shearing ring  126  has a cross-sectional shape which includes recirculation gaps  118 .  
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 14  which is adapted to be connected to a reaction flow stream by a tap line whereby a sample enters apparatus  110  through a first end  122 B through portal  112  and exits apparatus  110  through portal  112 A in second end  122 C.