Pressure-operated portable siphon apparatus for removing concentrations

Abstract

An apparatus for removing concentrations of liquid from a natural gas pipeline comprising a tap valve mounted on the pipeline at the upper portion thereof so as to be in communication with the interior of the pipeline. A siphon apparatus is removably mounted on the tap valve and includes a siphon pipe which is vertically movably mounted with respect to the tap valve. The siphon pipe is vertically movable from an upper position wherein the lower end of the siphon pipe is positioned above the tap valve to a lower position wherein the siphon pipe extends through the tap valve so that the lower end of the siphon pipe is positioned at the bottom interior of the pipeline. A discharge pipe extends from the siphon pipe and is in communication with a liquid holding tank. A siphon valve is imposed in the discharge pipe to permit the selective removal of the liquid from the pipeline. A portion of the siphon pipe is enclosed by an operating cylinder barrel. A piston is positioned on the siphon tube and sealably engages the interior of the operating cylinder barrel. The upper and lower ends of the operating cylinder barrel are in communication with a source of pressure so that the siphon pipe may be raised or lowered by means of the pressure. The source of pressure may be either an auxiliary pressure source such as nitrogen, CO.sub.2 or compressed air. The source of pressure for raising and lowering the siphon pipe may also comprise a hydraulic pump assembly including a safety bypass. The upper and lower ends of the operating cylinder barrel are also in communication with the atmosphere through valves to permit the venting of the operating cylinder barrel as desired.