Patent ID: 8096803
Filing Date: 2012-01-17
Classification: F23G,F23L

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for enhancing the complete combustion of an undesired chemical substance to thereby minimize the formation of smoke in the operation of a flare stack, the flare stack having an outlet for the discharge of a flare feedstream that comprises a combustible mixture formed by the undesired chemical substance and a fuel gas, an igniter located proximate the stack outlet, and a shield that is positioned around the outside surface of the stack proximate the stack outlet, the apparatus comprising: a. a plurality of high pressure air jet nozzles spaced apart at predetermined positions below and around the periphery of the flare stack outlet, each of the air jet nozzles being directed toward the stack outlet and in the direction of the feedstream's movement; b. a source of high pressure air in fluid communication with the plurality of nozzles, whereby the discharge of the air from the nozzles forms a plurality of high-velocity air jets to produce a moving air mass that draws additional atmospheric air into the mass of air moving toward the stack outlet to thereby enhance combustion of the flare feedstream; c. analytical means for determining the stoichiometric oxygen requirements for the complete combustion of the undesired chemical substance and the fuel gas constituting the feedstream at predetermined times; d. an air flow control valve for controlling the flow rate of the high pressure air to the nozzles; and e. air flow control means operably associated with the flow control valve to adjust the mass flow rate of high pressure air in response to the determination of the minimum oxygen requirements by the analytical means, whereby the oxygen content of the air flow at the stack outlet meets or exceeds the requirement for the complete combustion of the feedstream, and wherein the analytical means includes an automated analytical apparatus for determining quantitatively and qualitatively the combustible components in the feedstream, means for calculating the corresponding oxygen requirements for complete combustion of the undesired chemical substance, and signal generation and transmission means for transmitting a signal to the air flow control means.