In-line liquid trigger valve

Abstract

A trigger valve may be disposed between a fluid source and a gas utilization destination. A trigger valve can have housing with an inlet and an outlet. A trigger material may be disposed between the inlet and outlet within the housing. The trigger material can seal the housing to prevent fluid flow to the outlet in response to liquid being present in the housing.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus comprising a housing having an inlet and an outlet, a trigger material disposed between the inlet and outlet within the housing, the trigger material sealing the housing to prevent fluid flow to the outlet in response to liquid being present in the housing. 
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the trigger material is Sodium Polyacrylate. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the trigger material occupies less than all of an interior volume of the housing prior to the presence of liquid. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the trigger material is a powder prior to the presence of liquid. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the trigger material is positioned proximal the inlet and separated from the outlet. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the trigger material comprises multiple different superabsorbent polymers. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the trigger material is retained in a predetermined position in the housing by a single porous member. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the trigger material is disposed between first and second porous members within the housing. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the liquid is water. 
     
     
         10 . A system comprising a first housing connected in-line between a wellbore and a mudlogging device as part of a transmission assembly, the first housing having a first trigger material disposed between an inlet and an outlet within the first housing, the first trigger material sealing the first housing to prevent fluid flow to the outlet in response to liquid being present in the first housing. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the first housing is positioned within 1000 feet of the wellbore. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the first housing has an electrical float switch responsive to a high level of liquid within the first housing. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the transmission assembly comprises a pressure source and a second housing containing a second trigger material, the first and second housings being separate and connected via a conduit. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the transmission assembly comprises a moisture trap upstream of the first housing. 
     
     
         15 . A method comprising:
 connecting a housing between a fluid source and a gas utilization destination, the housing having an inlet and an outlet, a trigger material disposed between the inlet and outlet within the housing;   flowing a gas sample through the housing inlet to the housing outlet unimpeded by the trigger material;   introducing liquid into the housing; and   sealing the housing with the trigger material to prevent flow to the outlet in response to liquid being present in the housing.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the trigger material expands in size by absorbing the liquid to cover and seal the inlet and outlet of the housing. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the trigger material expands over 100 times in size in response to encountering the liquid to seal the housing. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the trigger material changes color in response to encountering the liquid. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the trigger material converts to a gel state in response to encountering the liquid. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the trigger material expands to force a porous member to contact and seal the inlet of the housing.