CA1233107A - Apparatus and method to add kinetic energy to a low pressure waste gas flare burner - Google Patents
Apparatus and method to add kinetic energy to a low pressure waste gas flare burnerInfo
- Publication number
- CA1233107A CA1233107A CA000454312A CA454312A CA1233107A CA 1233107 A CA1233107 A CA 1233107A CA 000454312 A CA000454312 A CA 000454312A CA 454312 A CA454312 A CA 454312A CA 1233107 A CA1233107 A CA 1233107A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- low pressure
- waste gas
- tip
- gas
- flare
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F23—COMBUSTION APPARATUS; COMBUSTION PROCESSES
- F23G—CREMATION FURNACES; CONSUMING WASTE PRODUCTS BY COMBUSTION
- F23G7/00—Incinerators or other apparatus for consuming industrial waste, e.g. chemicals
- F23G7/06—Incinerators or other apparatus for consuming industrial waste, e.g. chemicals of waste gases or noxious gases, e.g. exhaust gases
- F23G7/08—Incinerators or other apparatus for consuming industrial waste, e.g. chemicals of waste gases or noxious gases, e.g. exhaust gases using flares, e.g. in stacks
- F23G7/085—Incinerators or other apparatus for consuming industrial waste, e.g. chemicals of waste gases or noxious gases, e.g. exhaust gases using flares, e.g. in stacks in stacks
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Incineration Of Waste (AREA)
Abstract
APPARATUS AND METHOD TO ADD KINETIC ENERGY
TO A LOW PRESSURE WASTE GAS FLARE BURNER
Abstract of the Disclosure A flare for burning low pressure waste gas wherein kinetic energy is imparted to the gas in a device having a central conduit for the low pressure waste gas and a plura-lity of radial arms surrounding the central conduit to which are supplied high pressure fluids at a steep upward angle to impart time-turbulence and temperature for creating 'stand-up' flare burning substantially unaffected by wind.
TO A LOW PRESSURE WASTE GAS FLARE BURNER
Abstract of the Disclosure A flare for burning low pressure waste gas wherein kinetic energy is imparted to the gas in a device having a central conduit for the low pressure waste gas and a plura-lity of radial arms surrounding the central conduit to which are supplied high pressure fluids at a steep upward angle to impart time-turbulence and temperature for creating 'stand-up' flare burning substantially unaffected by wind.
Description
~;~3~
~PP~RAT~S AND M~T~OD TO AnD KINETIC RNERGY
TO A LOW PRESSURE WASTE GAS FLARE BUR~ER
___ _ Background of the Invention This invention relates to the art of flaring low pressure hydrocarbon gases, smokelessly.
It is well known in the art that flaring of low pressure hydrocarbon gases having a molecular weight ratio of hydrogen to carbon less than 0.30 tends to produce smoke as a result of incomplete combustiorl and the formation of free carbon particles. The release of free carbon into the atmosphere creates a dark smoke plume which is unsightly and a matter of poor ecological practice. Various methods have been devised for coping with smoke generation. One metho~1 involves the introduction of a smoke suppressant, typically steam or water to the combustion zone. The water, in vapor phase, reacts with the hydrocarbon by familar and well known endothermal reactions. In some instances, the introduction of this suppressant also introduces air to assist in the complete combustion of the burning ~ases.
Another method relates to the use of powered air for turbu-lent mixin~ of air with the hydrocarbon gas for more complete smokeless combustion.
There are instances in certain refineries, or process plants where neither steam or water or air powered turbulent mixing are available to smokelessly burn or flare low pressure hydrocarbon gases that are created as a part of the plant. The flaring of such gases is the only economical manner in which to han~dle these gases which must be removed from the system since they are not capable o~ being utilized elsewhere.
Wind is another problem with burning low pressure hydrocarbons above an elevated stack. If there is insuffi-cient pressure to cause the flame to 'stand-up' the flames will 'lick' the side of the stack causing its destruction, besides the constant problem of maintaining iqnition.
Standinq the tlames upward is preferred.
33~07 SUMM~RY OF THE INVENTION
It is a primary object of this invention to provide an apparatus which will impart additional energy to a low pressure waste gas which is to be flared since the gas, being at re-latively low pressure, cannot of its own energy inspirate the necessary combustion air for complete smokeless combustion.
It is a further object of the invention to provide elevated flare stack burning of low pressure waste gas, wherein the burning flame is caused to 'stand-up' or maintain an essentially vertical position above the stack.
It is a further ob-ject of -this invention to achieve economy in the utilization of both a ]ow pressure gas which is to be burned in a flare structure by the use of the energy of an available high pressure gas to provide the required turbulent air-gas mixture for complete smokeless combustion.
Another object of the invention is to provide a method of burning low pressure waste gases by the induction of additional kinetic energy thereto.
According to the invention there is provided flare apparatus for inducing kinetic energy to low pressure waste gas which is to be burned substantially smokelessly, comprising:
an array of burners, each of said burners defined by a tip and a central, internally unobs-tructed, conduit which terminates at an axial discharge opening at said tip; means to supply said low pressure waste gas to said conduit for axial and linear discharge above said tip; a manifold surrounding said conduit and forming an annular chamber thereabout which maniEold in-cludes, adjacent said tip, a plurality of arms which are in communica-tion with said annular chamher and radially directed outwardly oE said annular chamber, the top oE said arms being ~ ~233~7 - 2a -along or below a plane formed across the top of sai.d tip, at least one opening formed in the top of a-t least one oE said arms, the axis of each opening being directed inwardly and primarily toward the direction along said axial discharge of said low pressure gas above the tip; and means to supply a high pressure fluid from said manifold to the upstream side of each said opening in said arms.
3L;~331l~7 Brief Description of the Drawings ~ . .
Other objects and advantages of the invention and a better understanding oE the principles and details of the invention will be evident in the follc)wing description taken in conjunction with the appended dra~ings in which:
FIGURE 1 is a top elevational view of the burner of this invention.
FIGURE 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIGURE 1.
FIGURE 3 is a top elevational view of a conventional flare stack which incorporates the burners of this invention about its tip.
FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIGURE 3.
.FIGURE 5 is a schematic view of an embodiment of the invention showing a sequential flo~.~ of waste gases from a low pressure condition to a high pressure condition utilizing the apparatus of this invention to in-line burners as used in a qround leveI flare burning system.
~:33:~7 Description of the Preferred Embodiment Before explaining the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, since the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practised or carried out in a variety o~ ways. Also it is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose for description and not limitationO
Referring to FIGURES 1 and 2 the numeral 10 generally indicates the flare apparatus of this invention.
The low pressure gas conduit 12 extends to a tip 14.
Surrounding the conduit is a coaxial manifold 16 and a plurality of outwardly extending arms 20 that are in communi-cation with the manifold 16. In each of the arms are one or more openings 22, of size and oriented to the horizontal or tip surface 19 so as to not only impart kinetic energy to - the low pressure gas flowing upwardly in conduit 12 but also main~ain t~e burning above tip 14 in a stand-up condition substantially unafEected by wind conditions. Preferrably, an angle A of at least 45a and openings 22 of size relative to the high pressure gas to create sonic velocity therefrom.
FIGURES 3 and 4 indicate another embodiment of the use of the apparatus of this invention wherein like numerals are used for like parts as shown in FIG~RES 1 and 2~ In this embodiment a central emergency flare stack 30 is provided for venting large quantities of waste gas or high pressure waste gas, whichever the case may be. Surrounding the tip of waste flare conduit 30 are one or more flare burner apparatus 10 extending circumferentially around the stack. Supply manifold 32 for the low pressure waste gas and 34 for the high pressure fluids are provided. This embodiment provides flexibility to plants where low pressure and high pressure waste gases are to be Elared.
~233~
The embodiment of FIGURE 5 represents a flow se~uential system for waste gases which may vary at low flow or pressure rates to an extreme high flow or pressure rate.
I)uring normally low pressure or low flow conditions waste gas enters via conduit 50 and 52 to olle or more burners lOa via conduit 12. Likewise, high pressure gas will enter via conduit 60 through 62 into the manifold system 16 surrounding the low pressure conduit I2 as best shown in FIGURE 2. In the event the flow or pressure of the inlet waste gas via 50 should increase a second set of burners lOb will come into use. This occurs by sensing the pressure or flow condition in waste gas inlet 50 which will then operate valve 70 controlling the high pressure fluid and valve 72 to the low pressure gas which will allow for passage through respective conduits 63 and 64 and 54 and 55. Further increase in flow or pressure of the waste gas via conduit 50 additional burner systems lOc, lOd, etc. may be utilized or an emergency ~lare which can handle larger quantities of gas may be provided by flow through conduit 56 and thence 58. The flow being controlledc by valve 74 and/or flow control through pipe 76 into a water seal 78, the outlet 80 of which will enter conduit 58 to an emergency flare stack, not shown.
The hiqh pressure fluids useful in the apparatus of this invention includes gaseous or vaporous smoke suppres-sants, such as steam or air, inert gases or combustible highpressure gases.
~PP~RAT~S AND M~T~OD TO AnD KINETIC RNERGY
TO A LOW PRESSURE WASTE GAS FLARE BUR~ER
___ _ Background of the Invention This invention relates to the art of flaring low pressure hydrocarbon gases, smokelessly.
It is well known in the art that flaring of low pressure hydrocarbon gases having a molecular weight ratio of hydrogen to carbon less than 0.30 tends to produce smoke as a result of incomplete combustiorl and the formation of free carbon particles. The release of free carbon into the atmosphere creates a dark smoke plume which is unsightly and a matter of poor ecological practice. Various methods have been devised for coping with smoke generation. One metho~1 involves the introduction of a smoke suppressant, typically steam or water to the combustion zone. The water, in vapor phase, reacts with the hydrocarbon by familar and well known endothermal reactions. In some instances, the introduction of this suppressant also introduces air to assist in the complete combustion of the burning ~ases.
Another method relates to the use of powered air for turbu-lent mixin~ of air with the hydrocarbon gas for more complete smokeless combustion.
There are instances in certain refineries, or process plants where neither steam or water or air powered turbulent mixing are available to smokelessly burn or flare low pressure hydrocarbon gases that are created as a part of the plant. The flaring of such gases is the only economical manner in which to han~dle these gases which must be removed from the system since they are not capable o~ being utilized elsewhere.
Wind is another problem with burning low pressure hydrocarbons above an elevated stack. If there is insuffi-cient pressure to cause the flame to 'stand-up' the flames will 'lick' the side of the stack causing its destruction, besides the constant problem of maintaining iqnition.
Standinq the tlames upward is preferred.
33~07 SUMM~RY OF THE INVENTION
It is a primary object of this invention to provide an apparatus which will impart additional energy to a low pressure waste gas which is to be flared since the gas, being at re-latively low pressure, cannot of its own energy inspirate the necessary combustion air for complete smokeless combustion.
It is a further object of the invention to provide elevated flare stack burning of low pressure waste gas, wherein the burning flame is caused to 'stand-up' or maintain an essentially vertical position above the stack.
It is a further ob-ject of -this invention to achieve economy in the utilization of both a ]ow pressure gas which is to be burned in a flare structure by the use of the energy of an available high pressure gas to provide the required turbulent air-gas mixture for complete smokeless combustion.
Another object of the invention is to provide a method of burning low pressure waste gases by the induction of additional kinetic energy thereto.
According to the invention there is provided flare apparatus for inducing kinetic energy to low pressure waste gas which is to be burned substantially smokelessly, comprising:
an array of burners, each of said burners defined by a tip and a central, internally unobs-tructed, conduit which terminates at an axial discharge opening at said tip; means to supply said low pressure waste gas to said conduit for axial and linear discharge above said tip; a manifold surrounding said conduit and forming an annular chamber thereabout which maniEold in-cludes, adjacent said tip, a plurality of arms which are in communica-tion with said annular chamher and radially directed outwardly oE said annular chamber, the top oE said arms being ~ ~233~7 - 2a -along or below a plane formed across the top of sai.d tip, at least one opening formed in the top of a-t least one oE said arms, the axis of each opening being directed inwardly and primarily toward the direction along said axial discharge of said low pressure gas above the tip; and means to supply a high pressure fluid from said manifold to the upstream side of each said opening in said arms.
3L;~331l~7 Brief Description of the Drawings ~ . .
Other objects and advantages of the invention and a better understanding oE the principles and details of the invention will be evident in the follc)wing description taken in conjunction with the appended dra~ings in which:
FIGURE 1 is a top elevational view of the burner of this invention.
FIGURE 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIGURE 1.
FIGURE 3 is a top elevational view of a conventional flare stack which incorporates the burners of this invention about its tip.
FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIGURE 3.
.FIGURE 5 is a schematic view of an embodiment of the invention showing a sequential flo~.~ of waste gases from a low pressure condition to a high pressure condition utilizing the apparatus of this invention to in-line burners as used in a qround leveI flare burning system.
~:33:~7 Description of the Preferred Embodiment Before explaining the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, since the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practised or carried out in a variety o~ ways. Also it is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose for description and not limitationO
Referring to FIGURES 1 and 2 the numeral 10 generally indicates the flare apparatus of this invention.
The low pressure gas conduit 12 extends to a tip 14.
Surrounding the conduit is a coaxial manifold 16 and a plurality of outwardly extending arms 20 that are in communi-cation with the manifold 16. In each of the arms are one or more openings 22, of size and oriented to the horizontal or tip surface 19 so as to not only impart kinetic energy to - the low pressure gas flowing upwardly in conduit 12 but also main~ain t~e burning above tip 14 in a stand-up condition substantially unafEected by wind conditions. Preferrably, an angle A of at least 45a and openings 22 of size relative to the high pressure gas to create sonic velocity therefrom.
FIGURES 3 and 4 indicate another embodiment of the use of the apparatus of this invention wherein like numerals are used for like parts as shown in FIG~RES 1 and 2~ In this embodiment a central emergency flare stack 30 is provided for venting large quantities of waste gas or high pressure waste gas, whichever the case may be. Surrounding the tip of waste flare conduit 30 are one or more flare burner apparatus 10 extending circumferentially around the stack. Supply manifold 32 for the low pressure waste gas and 34 for the high pressure fluids are provided. This embodiment provides flexibility to plants where low pressure and high pressure waste gases are to be Elared.
~233~
The embodiment of FIGURE 5 represents a flow se~uential system for waste gases which may vary at low flow or pressure rates to an extreme high flow or pressure rate.
I)uring normally low pressure or low flow conditions waste gas enters via conduit 50 and 52 to olle or more burners lOa via conduit 12. Likewise, high pressure gas will enter via conduit 60 through 62 into the manifold system 16 surrounding the low pressure conduit I2 as best shown in FIGURE 2. In the event the flow or pressure of the inlet waste gas via 50 should increase a second set of burners lOb will come into use. This occurs by sensing the pressure or flow condition in waste gas inlet 50 which will then operate valve 70 controlling the high pressure fluid and valve 72 to the low pressure gas which will allow for passage through respective conduits 63 and 64 and 54 and 55. Further increase in flow or pressure of the waste gas via conduit 50 additional burner systems lOc, lOd, etc. may be utilized or an emergency ~lare which can handle larger quantities of gas may be provided by flow through conduit 56 and thence 58. The flow being controlledc by valve 74 and/or flow control through pipe 76 into a water seal 78, the outlet 80 of which will enter conduit 58 to an emergency flare stack, not shown.
The hiqh pressure fluids useful in the apparatus of this invention includes gaseous or vaporous smoke suppres-sants, such as steam or air, inert gases or combustible highpressure gases.
Claims (7)
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. Flare apparatus for inducing kinetic energy to low pressure waste gas which is to be burned substantially smoke-lessly, comprising:
an array of burners, each of said burners defined by a tip and a central, internally unobstructed, conduit which terminates at an axial discharge opening at said tip;
means to supply said low pressure waste gas to said conduit for axial and linear discharge above said tip;
a manifold surrounding said conduit and forming an annular chamber thereabout which manifold includes, adjacent said tip, a plurality of arms which are in communication with said annular chamber and radially directed outwardly of said annular chamber, the top of said arms being along or below a plane formed across the top of said tip, at least one opening formed in the top of at least one of said arms, the axis of each opening being directed inwardly and primarily toward the direction along said axial discharge of said low pressure gas above the tip; and means to supply a high pressure fluid from said manifold to the upstream side of each said opening in said arms.
an array of burners, each of said burners defined by a tip and a central, internally unobstructed, conduit which terminates at an axial discharge opening at said tip;
means to supply said low pressure waste gas to said conduit for axial and linear discharge above said tip;
a manifold surrounding said conduit and forming an annular chamber thereabout which manifold includes, adjacent said tip, a plurality of arms which are in communication with said annular chamber and radially directed outwardly of said annular chamber, the top of said arms being along or below a plane formed across the top of said tip, at least one opening formed in the top of at least one of said arms, the axis of each opening being directed inwardly and primarily toward the direction along said axial discharge of said low pressure gas above the tip; and means to supply a high pressure fluid from said manifold to the upstream side of each said opening in said arms.
2. The flare apparatus of claim 1 wherein said waste gas is of pressure not more than 5 p.s.i.
3. The flare apparatus of claim 1 wherein said array of burners is circular.
4. The flare apparatus of claim 1 wherein said array of burners is in line.
5. The flare apparatus of claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein said high pressure fluid is gaseous, including one of steam, air, inert gas, and combustible gas.
6. The flare apparatus of claim 4 wherein said high pressure fluid is gaseous, including one of steam, air, inert gas, and combustible gas.
7. The flare apparatus of claim 1 wherein the angle of said axis of each said opening is no less than 45°.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US49465083A | 1983-05-16 | 1983-05-16 | |
| US494,650 | 1983-05-16 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1233107A true CA1233107A (en) | 1988-02-23 |
Family
ID=23965382
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000454312A Expired CA1233107A (en) | 1983-05-16 | 1984-05-15 | Apparatus and method to add kinetic energy to a low pressure waste gas flare burner |
Country Status (3)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP0125917A3 (en) |
| JP (1) | JPS59219616A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1233107A (en) |
Families Citing this family (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US7247016B2 (en) | 2001-04-18 | 2007-07-24 | Saudi Arabian Oil Company | Flare stack combustion apparatus and method |
| US7354265B2 (en) * | 2004-12-02 | 2008-04-08 | Saudi Arabian Oil Company | Flare stack combustion method and apparatus |
Family Cites Families (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4039276A (en) * | 1976-03-11 | 1977-08-02 | John Zink Company | Noise and smoke retardant flare |
| US4098566A (en) * | 1977-03-21 | 1978-07-04 | John Zink Company | Radially-injected steam for smokeless flaring |
-
1984
- 1984-05-14 EP EP84303250A patent/EP0125917A3/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1984-05-15 CA CA000454312A patent/CA1233107A/en not_active Expired
- 1984-05-16 JP JP9845184A patent/JPS59219616A/en active Pending
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| EP0125917A2 (en) | 1984-11-21 |
| EP0125917A3 (en) | 1985-05-29 |
| JPS59219616A (en) | 1984-12-11 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |