Swagelok Grab Sampling Valve
The Swagelok® Grab Sampling Valve is designed to make liquid sampling safer, simpler, and more reliable. Unlike traditional bottle sampling methods, this innovative valve features a replaceable needle assembly that attaches to the valve body using a proven Swagelok® tube fitting, creating a strong, leak-tight metal-to-metal seal. The design helps protect operators and the environment by reducing exposure to process fluids while improving sample integrity and reliability. Additional features, including a protected needle assembly, spring-return handle, and easy one-turn installation, help reduce maintenance and simplify operation. Watch this demonstration to see how the Swagelok Grab Sampling Valve delivers representative fluid samples with greater safety, efficiency, and ease of use.
Video Transcript
Swagelok’s grab sampling valve for liquids helps overcome the challenges associated with standard bottle sampling. The purpose of grab sampling is to draw a representative fluid sample directly from a pipeline, tank, or system for laboratory analysis. We designed the Swagelok grab sampling valve to help you overcome the challenges associated with standard bottle sampling by providing safer sampling, ease of use with one-turn installation, and no elastomers, which expands compatibility and can lead to cost savings. The operator inserts the sample bottle into the shroud, which allows for proper alignment and holds it during the sampling operation. Bent needles are the number one maintenance issue on sampling valves. The shroud protects the needles and prevents them from being an exposed hazard to the operator. Shrouds are interchangeable and can be made in a variety of sizes to fit the sample bottles. The rubber septum of the sample bottle is pierced with two needles: one that fills with the liquid and one that allows air to escape.
The size of the needles will vary depending on the application. While smaller needles create less wear and tear on the septa, larger needles may be required for samples with higher viscosity. In addition to the side-by-side needle assembly shown, alternate needle assembly designs are available, including concentric needles and a tube stub.
The needle assembly is installed by turning the tube fitting nut.
The Swagelok grab sampling valve uses a Swagelok tube fitting instead of the typical rubber O-ring, which can lead to system leaks as the rubber hardens or degrades over time. Utilizing the proven Swagelok tube fitting design, the needle assembly is swaged to the valve body, creating a leak-tight, metal-to-metal seal in two places. Most grab sampling valves use a lancet-point needle, which can core the septum, resulting in clogged needles or leaking sample bottles. Our pencil-point needle assembly is swaged or welded closed and ground to a point with a side discharge hole, so it pierces without causing septum damage.
The operator opens the grab sampling valve, allowing liquid to fill the bottle. The patent-pending Swagelok spring-return handle utilizes a machine torsion spring and has a Swagelok 45 series handle for improved ergonomics. Also called a dead man handle, it automatically returns the valve to a closed position when released. This lessens the possibility of a valve being left open unintentionally. When the bottle is filled to the appropriate level, the handle is released to close the valve, and the sample bottle is removed. In summary, the Swagelok grab sampling valve’s design helps you overcome the challenges associated with standard bottle sampling. Whether you’re incorporating it into a new panel or replacing an existing component, it helps protect operators and the environment by reducing exposure to process fluids. It improves ease of use with one-turn installation and has no elastomers that can harden or degrade over time. The swaged needle assembly creates a leak-tight, metal-to-metal seal. Plus, it can help save both time and money on inventory and system maintenance thanks to easy needle replacement, an improved pencil-point design, and no elastomers. Contact your authorized Swagelok sales and service center or visit swagelok.com to learn more.
