Kimman Process Solutions is headquartered in the Rotterdam Europoort area, one of the world’s largest oil import and oil export harbours. KPS Turn-Key Automatic Sampling Systems are installed in this area at all the major Oil Storage Terminals and Refineries for custody transfer or fiscal metering purposes.

KPS Turn-Key automatic sampling systems are primarily used to make or verify the bill of lading on the pipeline contents. KPS automatic sampling systems are also used to obtain information on the oil composition being transferred or as part of an internal quality system.

Registration using the KPS automatic crude oil sampling systems can be important when clients are submitting claims, for the control of crude oil suppliers, or to prevent unnecessary fiscal payments.

Kimman Process Solutions Crude Oil Sampling Systems are built in accordance with the ISO 3171, API, IP, and ASTM standards. KPS is capable of providing a truly representative composite sample, giving both the user and the client/supplier confidence.

Brochure on Automatic Crude Oil sampling [pdf] 

The basics of Crude Oil Sampling

Accuracy Performance

Traditional automatic samplers are systems placed directly into the pipeline assuming a homogenous representative flow, and they often neglect possible variations in droplet size, density and viscosity. As a result, there is a potential for saturation in the pipeline, with water travelling at the bottom of the pipeline and bypassing the sampler inlet. Such automatic samplers are also equipped with a very small inlet, causing the larger water droplets to pass by the inlet and making the sample unrepresentative. A solution needs to be found so we are assured of a homogenous flow and a sample collection, independent of the droplet size.

Reliability Performance

With refineries, storage terminals and offshore locations attempting to reduce their operational and maintenance costs, operators are faced with low cost automatic samplers having a high failure rate. In addition to the high maintenance costs and frequent replacements of parts, operators have to pay for the logistics needed to get the sampler up and running again. Furthermore, operators are faced with custody transfers taking place using equipment which is temporarily not available. The bill of lading that needs to be written or verified must then be considered unreliable. A solution is must be found that is easy to use and has a low failure rate.

KPS e-JetMixingâ„¢

Depending upon the process conditions, inline mixing is commonly required for large pipelines in order to create a homogeneous flow. Traditionally, static mixing devices consisting of a series of baffles or metal plates are installed in the main pipeline and are used to create enough turbulence to get a properly mixed flow. The energy needed for mixing comes from a loss in pressure as fluids flow through the static mixer. With this said, operators find this a less attractive solution because a loss in pressure would mean less throughput.

Furthermore, static mixers are designed to operate with a certain turndown ratio, providing operators with inaccurate sampling results at the start and end of the batch. The patented e-JetMixâ„¢ technology provides the perfect solution for such applications,with no pressure drop in the main pipeline and a homogenous flow independent upon the flowrate. The KPS e-JetMixâ„¢er is an efficient design, consisting of an external pump, mixing nozzle, and a take-off quill,as shown in the figure below. Part of the main stream is pumped around and re-injected into the mainstream using the efficient and patented KPS nozzle mixing device. In the created loop, where the innovative and sustainable CS-01 cell sampler is located, accurate and representative grabs are taken and transferred to receiver cans. Furthermore, the e-JetMixâ„¢ nozzle and quill can be retracted for pigging purposes.

CFD Modeling

When confronted with the complex of variations in densities, viscosities, and flowrate that may make the flow non-homogeneous, users no longer have to rely on just a rule of thumb or previous experiences. KPS has the capability to verify the installation design using advanced CFD modelling software. This tool can precisely determine the behaviour in the pipeline for the entire operating envelope, and makes sure the customer is not faced with possible inaccurate results.

Minimize cross contamination

In traditional inline sampler devices, which are located directly on the pipeline, the distance between the automatic sampler and receiver cans can often reach several meters. This allows operations to easily swap the receiver cans. However, the longer the distance between the sampler and receiver cans, the more likely cross contamination between batches can occur. Using the KPS Fastloop Sampling Systems or the KPS e-JetMixâ„¢ Sampling Systems, the KPS CS-01 cell sampler is located just above the receiver cans, and is designed to minimize the possible contamination between batches. This also eliminates possible water traps in U-bends.

Sustainable Heavy Duty Sampler

The KPS e-JetMixâ„¢ Sampling Systems are optimized for low maintenance requirements and sustainability. An integral part of the KPS e-JetMixâ„¢ sampler is the innovative KPS CS-01 cell sampler, which contains several unique features that allow for a unmatched high mean time between failure rate. This provides operators with considerable savings on operational and logistic costs and eliminates concerns about the reliability and accuracy of the entire sampling system. The KPS CS-01 heavy duty automatic sampler is capable of handling heavy crude oils containing high solid contents, as well as highly viscous crudes. The CS-01 uses a three-step technique to assure that the performance stays unaffected by possible variations in the process.

KPS: Your Partner in Sampling

In automatic crude oil sampling, it’s not just about the purchase of the right components; it is the integration of them to form a complete system. The proper materials must be selected based on the crude oil composition and possible contaminants. With close to 100 automatic samplers installed within 20 minutes of the head office in the Rotterdam harbour area, KPS has plenty of opportunities to develop unique low maintenance automatic sampling system designs. The KPS automatic samplers are not just designed to be more sustainable, but also provide high accuracy based on previous experiences and CFD modelling software.

More on Custody transfer of Crude Oil
Brochure on Automatic Crude Oil sampling

Product Categories can be described as :

Automatic Liquid Sampling 

Automatic Gas Sampling 

Filter Vessels and Strainers 

Get more info at: www.kpsnl.com