GB2142132A - Apparatus and method for collecting and burning landfill or other waste gas - Google Patents

Apparatus and method for collecting and burning landfill or other waste gas Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2142132A
GB2142132A GB08316788A GB8316788A GB2142132A GB 2142132 A GB2142132 A GB 2142132A GB 08316788 A GB08316788 A GB 08316788A GB 8316788 A GB8316788 A GB 8316788A GB 2142132 A GB2142132 A GB 2142132A
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GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
pipe
gas
pulse jet
landfill
air
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.)
Granted
Application number
GB08316788A
Other versions
GB8316788D0 (en
GB2142132B (en
Inventor
Graham Edwin Cooper
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
FCC Waste Services UK Ltd
Original Assignee
London Brick Landfill Ltd
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by London Brick Landfill Ltd filed Critical London Brick Landfill Ltd
Priority to GB08316788A priority Critical patent/GB2142132B/en
Publication of GB8316788D0 publication Critical patent/GB8316788D0/en
Publication of GB2142132A publication Critical patent/GB2142132A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2142132B publication Critical patent/GB2142132B/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

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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
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F23—COMBUSTION APPARATUS; COMBUSTION PROCESSES
    • F23G—CREMATION FURNACES; CONSUMING WASTE PRODUCTS BY COMBUSTION
    • F23G2202/00—Combustion
    • F23G2202/40—Combustion in a pulsed combustion chamber
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F23—COMBUSTION APPARATUS; COMBUSTION PROCESSES
    • F23G—CREMATION FURNACES; CONSUMING WASTE PRODUCTS BY COMBUSTION
    • F23G2208/00—Safety aspects
    • F23G2208/10—Preventing or abating fire or explosion, e.g. by purging

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Fluidized-Bed Combustion And Resonant Combustion (AREA)
  • Processing Of Solid Wastes (AREA)

Abstract

The apparatus comprises a flow path defined by a first pipe (1) for connection to a borehole and a second pipe (4) for supporting a flame or emitting exhaust gases (7). In order to induce a flow of gas along the flow path air induction means, preferably in the form of a pulse jet, are provided. The pulse jet may be a resonant or valved pulse jet. The pulse jet may be arranged within the first pipe (1). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Apparatus and method for collecting and burning landfill or other waste gas The present invention relates to apparatus and a method for collecting and burning landfill or other waste gas.
Landfill gas, formed by the degradation of buried refuse (buried), comprises a mixture of methane, carbon dioxide and other trace impurities and is typically 2/3 methane and 1/3 carbon dioxide. It is a viable fuel. It is also quite odorous, and where there is insufficient quantity for use as a fuel, or where there are leakages through ground fissures, it is desirable to collect the gas and flare it off to avoid nuisance and hazard.
Landfill sites are often remote from populated areas and in the case of large sites, it may be uneconomic or even impossible to provide electrical services to power any suction device(s) to collect the gas from as wide an area of influence around a borehole as possible and to limit leakage and nuisance.
Unfortunately the intrinsic landfill gas pressure may be extremely low. When flares are worked at such low pressures, they are vulnerable to high winds, and once blown out the gas odour nuisance and hazard may return.
An object of the present invention is to provide apparatus and a method for collecting and burning landfill gas which at least reduces the described disadvantages.
The invention provides apparatus for collecting and burning landfill or other waste gas comprising a flow path defined by a first pipe for connection to a borehole and a second pipe for supporting a flame or emitting exhaust gases, and air induction means for drawing air for combustion into the flowpath so as to induce a flow of gas along the flow path and maintain a stable flame or ensure complete combustion.
Thus gas is sucked out of the borehole, and the risk that the flame will be extinguished, or that combustion will be incomplete, is reduced.
Preferably, the induction means comprises a pulse jet. This may be provided with valves, or in the form of a resonanttube.
The invention further provides a method of collect ing and burning landfill or other waste gas using the above-described apparatus.
The invention will now be described with reference to three embodiments shown by way of example in the accompanying drawings, wherein Figures 1 to 3 are schematic vertical-sectional views of three different apparatus according to the invention.
In Figure 1, a first pipe 1 is inserted in a borehole 2 in a landfill site where the landfill gas has a low intrinsic pressure. Pipe 1 terminates in a combustion chamber 3 at the upstream end of a second pipe 4 acting as a resonant tube pulse jet.
An ignition device 5 is provided to commence ignition. It may be adapted to operate intermittently in case the flame is extinguished. If necessary, flame-sensing means (not shown) could be provided to operate the ignition device 5 if the flame is extinguished.
Air inlets 6 at the upstream end of the combustion chamber allow air to be drawn in as shown by the arrows 6'. The apparatus acts as a resonant pulse jet sucking up low-pressure gas through the pipe 1 as a result of combustion producing a high-pressure wave followed by a low-pressure wave inducing gas flow up the pipe 1. Exhaust gases 7 are emitted at the outlet of the pipe 4.
The embodiment of Figure 2 differs from that of Figure 1 in that it operates as a valved pulse jet. To this purpose valves 8. e.g. clack, reed, petal or louvre-type valves, are arranged in the combustion chamber 3. As the gas-air mixture explodes, the valves close. Thus, the combustion products rise through the pipe 4. The resulting suction effect opens the valves 8 so that air is drawn into the combustion chamber 3 and gas is sucked up the pipe 1. It will be seen that a gas-air mixture is formed upstream of the valves 8, thus facilitating combustion.
In the embodiment shown in Figure 3 the pulse jet comprises a resonating tube 9 with a Venturi 10 arranged downstream. Alternatively, the pipe 1 may be shaped around the tube 9 to produce the same Venturi effect. Primary air, indicated by arrows 11, is drawn in through openings 12 in the pipe 1 and secondary air, indicated by arrow 13, is drawn in directly into the pipe 4. Here the gas/air mixture is burned as a flame 7'.
A support fuel/air mixture is fed via an inlet 14 into the resonating tube 9. As in the embodiment shown in Figure 2, valves may be provided downstream of the inlet 14 so that the tube 9 acts as a valved pulse jet.
Various modifications may be made to the invention within the scope of the claims. Thus, the jet assembly (pipe 4) may be supported, e.g. on a tripod, some distance above the ground. A water separator could be connected, e.g. by means of a flexible hose, between the pipes 1 and 2 if necessary.
There should be a good seal between the pipe 1 and the borehole 2 to prevent inducing air into the pipe 1 and forming an explosive gas/air mixture prematurely.
Although the embodiments have been described with reference to landfill gas, they can clearly be used for any contaminated or waste or unwanted gases which form a combustible mixture with air e.g.
marsh gas or fire damp.
1. Apparatus for collecting and burning landfill or other waste gas comprising a flow path defined by a first pipe for connection to a borehole and a second pipe for supporting a flame or emitting exhaust gases and air induction means for drawing air for combustion into the flow path so as to induce a flow of gas along the flow path and maintain a stable flame or ensure complete combustion.
2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said induction means comprises a pulse jet.
**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (13)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Apparatus and method for collecting and burning landfill or other waste gas The present invention relates to apparatus and a method for collecting and burning landfill or other waste gas. Landfill gas, formed by the degradation of buried refuse (buried), comprises a mixture of methane, carbon dioxide and other trace impurities and is typically 2/3 methane and 1/3 carbon dioxide. It is a viable fuel. It is also quite odorous, and where there is insufficient quantity for use as a fuel, or where there are leakages through ground fissures, it is desirable to collect the gas and flare it off to avoid nuisance and hazard. Landfill sites are often remote from populated areas and in the case of large sites, it may be uneconomic or even impossible to provide electrical services to power any suction device(s) to collect the gas from as wide an area of influence around a borehole as possible and to limit leakage and nuisance. Unfortunately the intrinsic landfill gas pressure may be extremely low. When flares are worked at such low pressures, they are vulnerable to high winds, and once blown out the gas odour nuisance and hazard may return. An object of the present invention is to provide apparatus and a method for collecting and burning landfill gas which at least reduces the described disadvantages. The invention provides apparatus for collecting and burning landfill or other waste gas comprising a flow path defined by a first pipe for connection to a borehole and a second pipe for supporting a flame or emitting exhaust gases, and air induction means for drawing air for combustion into the flowpath so as to induce a flow of gas along the flow path and maintain a stable flame or ensure complete combustion. Thus gas is sucked out of the borehole, and the risk that the flame will be extinguished, or that combustion will be incomplete, is reduced. Preferably, the induction means comprises a pulse jet. This may be provided with valves, or in the form of a resonanttube. The invention further provides a method of collect ing and burning landfill or other waste gas using the above-described apparatus. The invention will now be described with reference to three embodiments shown by way of example in the accompanying drawings, wherein Figures 1 to 3 are schematic vertical-sectional views of three different apparatus according to the invention. In Figure 1, a first pipe 1 is inserted in a borehole 2 in a landfill site where the landfill gas has a low intrinsic pressure. Pipe 1 terminates in a combustion chamber 3 at the upstream end of a second pipe 4 acting as a resonant tube pulse jet. An ignition device 5 is provided to commence ignition. It may be adapted to operate intermittently in case the flame is extinguished. If necessary, flame-sensing means (not shown) could be provided to operate the ignition device 5 if the flame is extinguished. Air inlets 6 at the upstream end of the combustion chamber allow air to be drawn in as shown by the arrows 6'. The apparatus acts as a resonant pulse jet sucking up low-pressure gas through the pipe 1 as a result of combustion producing a high-pressure wave followed by a low-pressure wave inducing gas flow up the pipe 1. Exhaust gases 7 are emitted at the outlet of the pipe 4. The embodiment of Figure 2 differs from that of Figure 1 in that it operates as a valved pulse jet. To this purpose valves 8. e.g. clack, reed, petal or louvre-type valves, are arranged in the combustion chamber 3. As the gas-air mixture explodes, the valves close. Thus, the combustion products rise through the pipe 4. The resulting suction effect opens the valves 8 so that air is drawn into the combustion chamber 3 and gas is sucked up the pipe 1. It will be seen that a gas-air mixture is formed upstream of the valves 8, thus facilitating combustion. In the embodiment shown in Figure 3 the pulse jet comprises a resonating tube 9 with a Venturi 10 arranged downstream. Alternatively, the pipe 1 may be shaped around the tube 9 to produce the same Venturi effect. Primary air, indicated by arrows 11, is drawn in through openings 12 in the pipe 1 and secondary air, indicated by arrow 13, is drawn in directly into the pipe 4. Here the gas/air mixture is burned as a flame 7'. A support fuel/air mixture is fed via an inlet 14 into the resonating tube 9. As in the embodiment shown in Figure 2, valves may be provided downstream of the inlet 14 so that the tube 9 acts as a valved pulse jet. Various modifications may be made to the invention within the scope of the claims. Thus, the jet assembly (pipe 4) may be supported, e.g. on a tripod, some distance above the ground. A water separator could be connected, e.g. by means of a flexible hose, between the pipes 1 and 2 if necessary. There should be a good seal between the pipe 1 and the borehole 2 to prevent inducing air into the pipe 1 and forming an explosive gas/air mixture prematurely. Although the embodiments have been described with reference to landfill gas, they can clearly be used for any contaminated or waste or unwanted gases which form a combustible mixture with air e.g. marsh gas or fire damp. CLAIMS 1. Apparatus for collecting and burning landfill or other waste gas comprising a flow path defined by a first pipe for connection to a borehole and a second pipe for supporting a flame or emitting exhaust gases and air induction means for drawing air for combustion into the flow path so as to induce a flow of gas along the flow path and maintain a stable flame or ensure complete combustion. 2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said induction means comprises a pulse jet. 3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the pulse jet is a resonant pulse jet. 4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the pulse jet is provided with valves which close during combustion. 5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4wherein air inlets to the pulse jet are arranged upstream of valves. 6. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the pulse jet is arranged in the first pipe. 7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein a venturi throat is provided downstream or around the pulse jet. 8. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein ignition means are provided. 9. Apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. 10. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and arranged to collect and burn landfill or other waste gas, wherein the first pipe is connected to a borehole. 11. A method of collecting and burning landfill or other waste gas using the apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims. Superseded claims New or amended claims: CLAIMS
1. Apparatus for collecting and burning landfill or other combustible waste gas comprising a flow path defined by a first pipe for connection to a borehole or other source of combustible waste gas and a second pipe for supporting a flame or complete combustion, wherein a pulse jet is provided for inducing the flow of gas along the flow path so as to ensure complete and stable combustion ofthe gas.
2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein combustion of the waste gas takes place in the pulse jet.
3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the pulse jet is a resonant pulse jet.
4. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein air inlets to the pulse jet are arranged upstream of the pulse jet.
5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pulse jet is arranged in the first pipe.
6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein a venturi throat is provided downstream or around the pulse jet.
7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 or 6, wherein the pulse jet comprises a resonating tube.
8. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein air inlets to the first pipe are arranged downstream of the pulse jet.
9. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pulse jet is provided with valves which close during combustion.
10. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein ignition means are provided.
11. Apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.
12. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and arranged to collect and burn landfill or other combustible waste gas, wherein the first pipe is connected to a borehole or other source of combustible waste gas.
13. A method of collecting and burning landfill or other combustible waste gas using the apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.
GB08316788A 1983-06-21 1983-06-21 Apparatus and method for collecting and burning landfill or other waste gas Expired GB2142132B (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB08316788A GB2142132B (en) 1983-06-21 1983-06-21 Apparatus and method for collecting and burning landfill or other waste gas

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB08316788A GB2142132B (en) 1983-06-21 1983-06-21 Apparatus and method for collecting and burning landfill or other waste gas

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GB8316788D0 GB8316788D0 (en) 1983-07-27
GB2142132A true GB2142132A (en) 1985-01-09
GB2142132B GB2142132B (en) 1986-04-09

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Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2306347A (en) * 1995-11-01 1997-05-07 Hi Lo Flare Systems & Services Flare assemblies
WO2003073001A1 (en) * 2002-02-27 2003-09-04 Greenvironment Oy Method and arrangement for combusting landfill gas, and a burner

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB910623A (en) * 1960-06-03 1962-11-14 British Petroleum Co Apparatus for reducing smoke emission from elevated flare stacks
GB1213722A (en) * 1967-01-20 1970-11-25 Danfoss As Oil burner with rotating distributor head
GB1300145A (en) * 1970-02-04 1972-12-20 Dfc Corp Improvements in or relating to gas burners
GB1419333A (en) * 1972-08-04 1975-12-31 Aquitaine Petrole Flare device for the combustion of hydrocarbons
GB1453440A (en) * 1973-01-18 1976-10-20 Flaregas Eng Ltd Apparatus for use in the disposal of waste gas
GB1576979A (en) * 1977-03-28 1980-10-15 Zink Co John Burner for very low pressure gases
GB1593391A (en) * 1977-01-28 1981-07-15 British Petroleum Co Flare

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB910623A (en) * 1960-06-03 1962-11-14 British Petroleum Co Apparatus for reducing smoke emission from elevated flare stacks
GB1213722A (en) * 1967-01-20 1970-11-25 Danfoss As Oil burner with rotating distributor head
GB1300145A (en) * 1970-02-04 1972-12-20 Dfc Corp Improvements in or relating to gas burners
GB1419333A (en) * 1972-08-04 1975-12-31 Aquitaine Petrole Flare device for the combustion of hydrocarbons
GB1453440A (en) * 1973-01-18 1976-10-20 Flaregas Eng Ltd Apparatus for use in the disposal of waste gas
GB1593391A (en) * 1977-01-28 1981-07-15 British Petroleum Co Flare
GB1576979A (en) * 1977-03-28 1980-10-15 Zink Co John Burner for very low pressure gases

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2306347A (en) * 1995-11-01 1997-05-07 Hi Lo Flare Systems & Services Flare assemblies
GB2306347B (en) * 1995-11-01 1999-03-31 Hi Lo Flare Systems & Services Flare assemblies
WO2003073001A1 (en) * 2002-02-27 2003-09-04 Greenvironment Oy Method and arrangement for combusting landfill gas, and a burner

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB8316788D0 (en) 1983-07-27
GB2142132B (en) 1986-04-09

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
732 Registration of transactions, instruments or events in the register (sect. 32/1977)
PCNP Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 19990621