FIE L D OF INV E NT IO N

T he present i nventi on rel ates to a duct mountabl e system. T he i nventi on al so rel ates to a method for conditioning a gas sample.

¾ BAC K G R OU ND

Extraction of a gas sample from an exhaust stack, venti lation duct or a chimney and subsequent analysis of the gas sample for its gaseous constituents is quite well known. T here are several practical difficulties associated with such extraction and analysis techniques known in the past. One of the key concerns relating to such conventional

3a techniques is that the analysis device is spatially distant from the exhaust stack/duct requiring usage of a sample transport line between them. While the hot gases from the stack/duct are conveyed through the sample transport line, they cool down resulting in condensation of moisture contained in the sample at the periphery of the transport line. A major disadvantage of such condensation is the dissolution of some of the water-soluble

¾ gaseous substances in the sample into the condensate. T his results in reduced availability of water soluble gases in the sample during subsequent analysis at the analysis device. Consequently, there is inconsistency in the relative amounts of individual gases analyzed at the device and their actual concentrations i n the gaseous mixture of the stack. To avoid condensation of water vapour, the sample transport line is usually kept at a higher , temperature by electrical ly heated heati ng elements. Such heati ng consumes power proportional to the length of the sample transport line and is, therefore, not economically desirable. Transporting the gaseous mixture extracted from the stack and analyzing the individual gases with accuracy and precision is, thus a major challenge. In view of the fact that conventionally used systems for sample extraction and analysis are energy intensive due to the requirement of long sample transport line and the heating required therein, there is a longstanding need for a system for determination of individual gases that is less energy intensive as well as more accurate and precise.

¾ O BJ E CT S O F INV E NTION

One object of the invention is to provide a duct-mountable system for extraction and conditioning sample from a duct, an exhaust stack, pipe or a chimney.

Another object of the invention is to provide a duct-mountable system wherein the sample transport I i ne has a I ength of not greater than 1.5 feet.

3a Another object of the invention to provide a duct-mountable system wherein the heat exchanger is fastened to a J -tube.

Another object of the invention is to provide a duct-mountable system wherein the thermoelectric cooli ng unit comprises a peltier element.

Another object of the invention is to provide a method for conditioning a gas sample ¾ comprising condensation of water vapour in the gas sample into a condensate, and holding the condensate in a J -tube.

SU M MARY OF INV E NT IO N

T he present i nventi on provi des a system for extracti on and condi ti oni ng of the sampl e gas mixture from a duct, an exhaust stack, pi pe or a chi mney. , In one embodiment, the invention provides a duct mountable system comprising: a) A gas sampl i ng probe b) a sample transport line

c) a heat exchanger and

d) a thermoelectric cool ing unit

In one embodiment, the invention provides a duct mountable system comprising:

¾ a) A gas sampling probe

b) a sample transport line

c) a heat exchanger and

d) a thermoelectric cool ing unit wherei n the thermoelectri c cool i ng unit comprises a fi rst thermal ly conducti ng plate, a 3a second thermally conducting plate and a cooling interface.

In one embodiment, the invention provides a duct mountable system comprising: a) A gas sampl i ng probe

b) a sample transport line

c) a heat exchanger and

¾ d) a thermoelectric cool ing unit wherein the gas sampling probe is configured to be mountable on a high temperature duct. In one embodiment, the invention provides a duct mountable system comprising: a) A gas sampl i ng probe

b) a sample transport line

, c) a heat exchanger and

d) a thermoelectric cool ing unit wherein the gas sampling probe is configured to be mountable on an external surface of the duct.

In one embodiment, the invention provides a duct mountable system comprising: a) A gas sampl i ng probe

¾ b) a sample transport line

c) a heat exchanger and

d) a thermoelectric cool ing unit wherein the duct is an exhaust duct a ventilation duct, an exhaust stack, an exhaust pipe or a chi mney.

3a In one embodi ment, the i nventi on provi des a duct mountabl e system compri si ng: a) A gas sampl i ng probe

b) a sample transport line

c) a heat exchanger and

d) a thermoelectric cool ing unit

¾ wherei n the sampl e transport I i ne has a I ength of not greater than 1.5 feet

In one embodiment, the invention provides a duct mountable system comprising: a) A gas sampl i ng probe

b) a sample transport line

c) a heat exchanger and

, d) a thermoelectric cool ing unit wherei n the sampl e transport I i ne preferably has a I ength of 1 foot In one embodiment, the invention provides a duct mountable system comprising: a) A gas sampl i ng probe

b) a sample transport line

c) a heat exchanger and

d) a thermoelectric cool ing unit wherein the thermoelectric cooling unit comprises a first thermally conducting plate, a second thermally conducting plate and a cooling interface and wherein the heat exchanger comprises an inner conduit and an outer conduit, the inner conduit being concentrically disposed within the outer conduit and being sealed, at its proximal end, to the inner surface of the outer conduit and wherein the inner conduit is fastened, at its proximal end, to a sample inlet and the outer conduit is fastened, at its proximal end, to a sample outlet, the outer conduit comprising a thermally conductive material in thermal communication with an inner surface of the cooling i nterface.

In one embodiment, the invention provides a duct mountable system comprising: a) A gas sampl i ng probe

b) a sample transport line

c) a heat exchanger and

d) a thermoelectric cool ing unit wherein the heat exchanger comprises an inner conduit, an outer conduit and a cooling interface, the inner conduit being concentrical ly disposed within an outer conduit and being sealed, at its proximal end, to the inner surface of the outer conduit and wherein the inner conduit is fastened, at its proxi mal end, to a sample inlet and the outer conduit is fastened, at its proximal end, to a sample outlet, the outer conduit comprising a thermally conductive material in thermal communication with an inner surface of the cooling i nterface and wherei n the heat exchanger is fastened, at its distal end, to a J -tube.

In one embodiment, the invention provides a duct mountable system comprising:

¾ a) A gas sampling probe

b) a sample transport line

c) a heat exchanger and

d) a thermoelectric cool ing unit wherein the thermoelectric cooling unit comprises a first thermally conducting plate and a 3a second thermal ly conducti ng pi ate.

In one embodiment, the invention provides a duct mountable system comprising: a) A gas sampl i ng probe

b) a sample transport line

c) a heat exchanger and

¾ d) a thermoelectric cool ing unit wherein the thermoelectric cooling unit comprises a fi rst thermally conducting plate and a second thermally conducting plate and wherein the first thermally conducti ng plate is in thermal communi cati on with an outer surface of the cool i ng i nterface.

In one embodiment, the invention provides a duct mountable system comprising: , a) A gas sampl ing probe

b) a sample transport line c) a heat exchanger and

d) a thermoelectric cool ing unit wherein the thermoelectric cooling unit comprises a fi rst thermally conducting plate and a second thermally conducting plate and wherei n the second thermally conducting plate is ¾ in thermal communication with a heat sink.

In one embodiment, the invention provides a duct mountable system comprising: a) A gas sampl i ng probe

b) a sample transport line

c) a heat exchanger and

3a d) a thermoelectric cool ing unit wherein the heat exchanger is configured to convey a gas sample and the J -tube is configured to hold a condensate and wherein the condensate is water.

In one embodiment, the invention provides a duct mountable system comprising: a) A gas sampl i ng probe

¾ b) a sample transport line

c) a heat exchanger and

d) a thermoelectric cool ing unit wherein the thermoelectric cooling unit comprises a peltier element.

In a further embodiment, the present invention provides a method for conditioning a gas , sample, the method comprising the steps of conveying a gas sample through a sample transport I i ne havi ng a I ength of not greater than 1.5 feet, cool i ng the gas sampl e i n a heat exchanger in contact with a cooling interface, wherein the cooling results in condensation of water vapour in the gas sample into a condensate, and holding the condensate in a J - tube.

B RIE F DE SC RIPT IO N O F DRAWINGS

¾ Non-limiting and non- exhaustive embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the following drawings, in which

Figure 1 shows a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of the duct-mountable system.

Figure 2 il lustrates an exploded view of the thermoelectric cooling unit and the heat 3a exchanger.

Figure 3 i 11 ustrates a perspective vi ew of the heat exchanger.

Figure 4 provides a front sectional view of the heat exchanger fastened to a J -tube and to a sampl e transport I i ne.

DE TAIL E D DE SC RIPTION O F PR E F E R R E D E M BO DIM E NTS

¾ Various non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to I i ke parts throughout the vari ous vi ews unl ess otherwi se specif i ed.

T hroughout the specification and claims, the following terms take at least the meanings explicitly associated herein, unless the context dictates otherwise. , T he term :duct ^" as used herein would mean to include exhaust duct, ventilation duct, exhaust stack, exhaust pipe or a chimney, more particularly in relation to industries. T he term :J -tube ^" woul d mean to i ncl ude a conduit, tube or a pi pe havi ng the shape of the E ngl i sh al phabet :J ^" i n any of the vi ews.

T urning now to Figure 1, the duct mountable system of the present invention comprise a gas sampling probe (B) for extraction of sample from the duct The gas sampling probe

¾ comprise a dust filter (A). The dust filter (A) eliminates dust particles contained i n the sample from the duct. The gas sampling probe (B) assists in extraction of the sample and is mountable on the duct, preferably at the outer periphery. Typically, the gas sampling probe is configured to be mountable on a high temperature duct Preferably, the probe is configured to be mountable on an external surface of the duct. Some examples of the

3a ducts are an exhaust duct, a ventilation duct, an exhaust stack, an exhaust pipe or a chimney. Sample extracted from the duct is conveyed through the sample transport line (C). Typically, the sample transport line has a length of not greater than 1.5 feet Advantageously, the sampl e transport line has a length of 1 foot. The probe as well as the transport line are heated to eliminate the possibility of condensation of water vapor thus

¾ preventing loss of water soluble gases in the gas sample into the condensate. The gas sample extracted from the duct and conveyed through the sample transport line is then conditioned in the conditioning unit (D). The conditioning unit comprise a heat exchanger, a thermoelectric cooling unit and a J -tube. After conditioni ng in the conditioning unit (D) the gas sample exits the duct mountable system The gas sample , that exits the duct mountable system is analyzed in a gas analysis device. The condensate obtai ned upon conditioning of the gas sample in the conditioni ng unit (D) is collected in a catch pot (E) and drained out. T urning now to Figure 2, the duct mountable system of the present invention comprise a heat exchanger (2) as well as a thermoelectric cooling unit (16). The heat exchanger (2) comprise an inner conduit (12), an outer conduit (13), a sample inlet (7) and a sample outlet (8). The heat exchanger (2) is i n thermal communication with a thermoelectric

¾ cooli ng unit (16). The thermoelectric cooli ng unit comprises two thermally conducting plates-a first thermally conducting plate (3), a second thermally conducting plate (4), and a cooling interface (1). The heat exchanger (2) is capable of being removably engaged into a receiving aperture of the cooling interface (1 ). The first thermally conducting plate (3) is in thermal communication with an outer surface of the cooling interface (1), whi le

3a the second thermally conducting plate (4) is in thermal communication with the heat sink (5). The heat sink is typically cooled by way of a cooling device (6), preferably a fan. T he cooling interface (1) is typically a cooling block, preferably of cubic/cuboid geometry. The heat exchanger (2) is fastened, preferably by way of the outer conduit to a J -tube (9). The heat exchanger (2) is configured to convey a gas sample while the J -tube

¾ (9) is configured to hold a condensate. Typically, the condensate is water. Preferably, the thermoelectric cooli ng unit comprises a peltier element.

T urning now to Figure 3, the sample inlet (7), sample outlet (8) and the J -tube (9) are displayed together in a perspective view.

Figure 4 displays a sectional view of the heat exchanger (2), the J -tube (9), the gas , sampling probe (14) and the sample transport line (15). During operation of the heat exchanger (2), the sample gas enter the heat exchanger (2) through the sample inlet (7) and is conveyed into the i nner conduit (12) of the heat exchanger. From the inner conduit (12), the sample gas is conveyed out of the heat exchanger through the outlet (8) on the outer conduit (13). Si nee the outer conduit (13) is in thermal communication with an inner surface of the cooling interface (1) and that outer surface of the cooling interface (1) is in thermal communication with the first thermally conducting plate (cold plate) (3) of the peltier element the sample gas in the heat exchanger (2) is subject to cooling. This results

¾ in condensation of water vapour, in the sample gas, and the condensate so formed is collected in the J -tube (9). The configuration of thej -tube enables minimal contact of the sample gas with the condensate, ensuring that there is mi nimal dissolution and removal of water-soluble gaseous components in the sample gas. The overflows from the J tube are collected in a catch pot (10) that is occasionally drained off at the drainage port (11). The

3a drainage port is usually a drainage valve.

T he invention also provides a method for conditioning a gas sample. The method of the present invention comprise the steps of conveying the gas sample through a sample transport I i ne ( 15) havi ng a I ength of not greater than 1.5 feet and cool i ng the gas sampl e in a heat exchanger (2) in contact with a cooling interface (1). The cooling results in ¾ condensati on of water vapour i n the gas sampl e i nto a condensate. T he condensate i s hel d in thej -tube (9) and later col lected in a catch pot (10) that is occasionally drained off at the drainage port (11).

T he duct mountable system of the present i nvention enables extraction and analysis of gas samples from a duct The system of the present invention comprise a heat exchanger and , a thermoelectric cooling unit that ensures that the water vapour contained in the sample gas is condensed to form a condensate that is collected in aj -tube. This obviates the need of using a longer sample transport line and te consequent need of heating such sample transport line through its entire length. Further, by conditioning the sample gas by removing the water vapour contained in the sample, the accuracy of analysis of the gas sample is ensured. In the system of the present invention, a J -tube is fastened to the heat exchanger, thereby ensuring minimal contact of the sample gas with the condensate so that solubilisation of water-soluble gaseous components in the condensate is minimized. T herefore, the system of the present invention enables determination of gaseous components in an exhaust with accuracy, precision and minimal utilization of energy.

T he above description is il lustrative only and is not limiting. The present invention is def i ned by the cl ai ms that f ol I ow and thei r f ul I range of equi val ents.