Patent Publication Number: US-2021164648-A1

Title: Burner nozzles for well test burner systems

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Prior to connecting a well to a production pipeline, a well test is performed where the well is produced and the production fluids (e.g., crude oil and gas) are evaluated. Following the well test, the production fluids collected from the well must be disposed of. In certain instances, the product is separated and a portion of the product (e.g., substantially crude oil) may be disposed of by burning using a well test burner system. On offshore drilling platforms, for example, well test burner systems are often mounted at the end of a boom that extends outward from the side of the platform. As the well is tested, the produced crude is piped out the boom to the well test burner system and burned. Well test burner systems are also often used in conjunction with land-based wells. 
     Traditionally, well test burner systems include several burner nozzles that allow the well test burner system to operate over a wide range of flow rates. Burner nozzles are often selectively capped to reduce the flow rate through the well test burner system when desired. The un-capped burner nozzles have large amounts of air and oil flowing through them, which serves to remove thermal energy and thereby keeps them cool. The capped nozzles, however, are exposed to radiant heat emitted from the flame discharged from the un-capped nozzles. Such radiant heat can sometimes result in seal failure for the un-capped nozzles. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The following figures are included to illustrate certain aspects of the present disclosure, and should not be viewed as exclusive embodiments. The subject matter disclosed is capable of considerable modifications, alterations, combinations, and equivalents in form and function, without departing from the scope of this disclosure. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an example well test burner system that may employ the principles of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is an isometric view of an exemplary burner nozzle. 
         FIGS. 3A and 3B  are cross-sectional side views of the burner nozzle of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  depicts an enlarged cross-sectional side view of the portion of the burner nozzle indicated in  FIG. 3B . 
         FIG. 5  is an isometric view of an exemplary burner nozzle assembly. 
         FIGS. 6A and 6B  depict end and cross-sectional side views of the burner nozzle assembly of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIGS. 7A and 7B  are cross-sectional side views of an exemplary burner nozzle in an open configuration and a closed configuration, respectively. 
         FIG. 8  is an enlarged cross-sectional side view of the portion of the burner nozzle indicated in  FIG. 7B . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
     The present disclosure is related to well operations in the oil and gas industry and, more particularly, to well test burner systems and improvements to burner nozzles used in well test burner systems. 
     The embodiments described herein provide an improved burner nozzle that includes an outer housing, and a nozzle and a piston receivable within the outer housing. The piston is movable between an open position, where air and a well product are able to enter an atomizing chamber defined in the nozzle to generate an air/well product mixture, and a closed position, where the piston moves to stop a flow of the well product. In the closed position, a metered amount of air may be able to flow through one or more leak paths defined between a leading edge of the piston and an adjacent closure surface provided by the nozzle and into the atomizing chamber. As the air flows through the leak path, thermal energy may be drawn away from the burner nozzle, thereby mitigating any adverse effects of radiant thermal energy emitted by adjacent burner nozzles. Additionally, as the air flows through the nozzle and the flow of the well product is stopped, all residual well product is atomized and burned, thereby removing the potential for drips. As will be appreciated, this may prove advantageous in improving safety, operational costs, and the environmental impact of burner nozzles used in well test burner systems. 
     The embodiments described herein also include a burner nozzle assembly that includes a plurality of burner nozzles, where each burner nozzle includes an outer housing and a nozzle received within an interior of the outer housing. An air inlet conveys air into a first burner nozzle of the plurality of burner nozzles, and a well product inlet conveys a well product into the first burner nozzle of the plurality of burner nozzles. An air transfer conduit interposes and fluidly couples the outer housing of adjacent burner nozzles such that the air is able to be transferred from the first burner nozzle to all subsequent burner nozzles. Similarly, a well product transfer conduit interposes and fluidly couples the outer housing of adjacent burner nozzles such that the well product is able to be transferred from the first burner nozzle to all subsequent burner nozzles. As the air and/or well product is conveyed to subsequent burner nozzles, thermal energy may be drawn away, and thereby serving to cool the preceding burner nozzle(s). 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , illustrated is a perspective view of an example well test burner system  100  that may employ the principles of the present disclosure, according to one or more embodiments. The well test burner system  100  (hereafter the “burner system  100 ”) may be configured to burn production fluids or a “well product” (e.g., crude oil and hydrocarbon gas) produced from a well, for example, during its test phase. In certain applications, the burner system  100  may be employed on an offshore drilling platform and mounted to a boom that extends outward from the platform. In other applications, the burner system  100  could be mounted to a skid our similar mounting structure for use with a land-based well. It will be appreciated that the depicted burner system  100  is but one example of well test burner systems that may suitably employ the principles of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the burner system  100  is depicted and described herein for illustrative purposes only and should not be considered as limiting to the present disclosure. 
     As illustrated, the burner system  100  includes a frame  102  that carries and otherwise supports the component parts of the burner system  100  and is adapted to be mounted to a boom or a skid. The frame  102  is depicted as comprising generally tubular support components and defines a substantially cubic-rectangular shape, but could alternatively assume other configurations, without departing from the scope of the disclosure. The frame  102  carries one or more burner nozzles  104  adapted to receive air and a well product, such as crude oil. The burner nozzles  104  combine the air and the well product in a specified ratio and expel an air/well product mixture for burning. It should be noted that while ten burner nozzles  104  are depicted in  FIG. 1 , more or less than ten burner nozzles  104  may be employed in burner system  100 , without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Moreover, the burner nozzles  104  are depicted as being arranged vertically in two parallel columns. In other applications, however, the burner nozzles  104  can be arranged differently, for example, with fewer or more columns or in a different shape, such as in a circle, offset triplets, or in another different configuration. 
     The burner nozzles  104  are coupled to and receive air via an air inlet pipe  106 . They are also coupled to and receive the well product to be disposed of via a product inlet pipe  108 . In certain instances, one or both of the air and product inlet pipes  106 ,  108  comprise a rigid pipe. In other applications, however, one or both of the air and product inlet pipes  106 ,  108  may comprise a flexible hose or conduit. As illustrated, each inlet pipe  106 ,  108  is provided with a flange  110 ,  112 , respectively. The first flange  110  allows the air inlet pipe  106  to be coupled to a source of air, such as an air compressor, and the second flange  112  allows the product inlet pipe  108  to be coupled to a line or conduit that provides the well product to the burner system  100  to be disposed of (i.e., burned). 
     The frame  102  also carries one or more pilot burners  114  that are coupled to and receive a supply of pilot gas. Two pilot burners  114  are shown flanking the two vertical columns of the burner nozzles  104 , and each is positioned between the first two burner nozzles  104  (i.e., the two lowermost) in each column. The pilot burners  114  burn the pilot gas to maintain a pilot flame used to light the air/product mixture expelled from the burner nozzles  104  adjacent the pilot burners  114 . The remaining burner nozzles  104  are arranged so that they expel air/product mixture in an overlapping fashion, so that the burner nozzles  104  lit by the pilot burners  114  light adjacent burner nozzles  104 , and those burner nozzles  104 , in turn, light adjacent burner nozzles  104 , and so on so that the air/product mixture discharged from all burner nozzles  104  is ignited. 
     The frame  102  carries one or more heat shields to reduce transmission of heat from the burning well product to the various components of the burner system  100 , as well as to the boom and other components of the associated platform. For example, the frame  102  can include a primary heat shield  116  that spans substantially the entire front surface of the frame  102 . The frame  102  can also include one or more secondary heat shields to further protect other components of the burner system  100 . For example, a secondary heat shield  118  is shown surrounding a control box (hidden) of the burner system  100 . As will be appreciated, fewer or more heat shields  116 ,  118  can be provided, without departing from the scope of the disclosure. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , illustrated is an isometric view of an exemplary burner nozzle  200 , according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. The burner nozzle  200  may be the same as or similar to any of the burner nozzles  104  of  FIG. 1  and, therefore, may be used in the burner system  100  to burn an air/well product mixture. As illustrated, the burner nozzle  200  may include an outer housing  202  and a nozzle  204  received and otherwise secured within the interior of the outer housing  202 . 
     The outer housing  202  may exhibit a generally cylindrical shape and provide a first or top end  205   a  and a second or bottom end  205   b . An air inlet  206   a  may extend from a side of the outer housing  202  at a location between the top and bottom ends  205   a,b , and may be configured to convey a flow of air into the burner nozzle  200 . A well product inlet  206   b  may extend from the top end  205   a  and may be configured to convey a flow of a well product into the burner nozzle  200 . Accordingly, the air inlet  206   a  may be fluidly coupled to the air inlet pipe  106  ( FIG. 1 ) and the well product inlet  206   b  may be fluidly coupled to the well product inlet pipe  108  ( FIG. 1 ). 
     The air and well product inlets  206   a,b  may each comprise a pipe or tubing conduit either coupled to the outer housing  202  at their respective locations or forming an integral part or extension of the outer housing  202 . In some embodiments, one or both of the air and well product inlets  206   a,b  may extend into the interior of the outer housing  202 . In other embodiments, however, one or both of the air and well product inlets  206   a,b  may be directly or indirectly coupled to the outer surface of the outer housing  202  at respective locations. 
     The nozzle  204  may be received within the interior of the outer housing  202  and secured thereto at the bottom end  205   b . In some embodiments, for example, the nozzle  204  may be threaded into the outer housing  202 . To help facilitate this threaded engagement, the nozzle  204  may provide a hex nut feature that may allow torque to be transferred to the body of the nozzle  204  to allow the nozzle  204  to be threaded into the outer housing  202 . In other embodiments, however, the nozzle  204  may alternatively be secured within the outer housing  202  by other means including, but not limited to, one or more mechanical fasteners (e.g., screws, bolts, snap rings, pins, etc.), a press-fit, a shrink-fit, welding, brazing, an adhesive, and any combination thereof. As depicted, the nozzle  204  may provide and otherwise define a nozzle outlet  210 . In operation, as discussed below, the burner nozzle  200  may discharge an air/well product mixture via the nozzle outlet  210  that is ignited and burned. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3A and 3B , with continued reference to  FIG. 2 , illustrated are cross-sectional side views of the burner nozzle  200 . Similar numerals used in  FIGS. 3A-3B  and  FIG. 2  correspond to similar components that may not be described again in detail. As illustrated, the air inlet  206   a  is coupled to and extends from the side of the outer housing  202  at a point between the top and bottom ends  205   a,b . In other embodiments, however, the air inlet  206   a  may alternatively extend within the outer housing  202  and/or extend from the outer housing  202  at a different location, such as from the top end  205   a . A flow of air may be conveyed and otherwise circulate into the burner nozzle  200  via the air inlet  206   a , as indicated by the arrows  302   a.    
     The well product inlet  206   b  is depicted as extending through an aperture  304  defined in the top end  205   a  of the outer housing  202 . More specifically, the well product inlet  206   b  may include a product inlet conduit  306  that extends from or otherwise forms an integral part of the well product inlet  206   b  and extends into the interior of the outer housing  202  via the aperture  304 . A flow of well product may circulate into the burner nozzle  200  via the well product inlet  206   a  and the product inlet conduit  306 , as indicated by the arrows  302   b.    
     The nozzle  204  is depicted as extended into the outer housing  202 , as generally described above. The burner nozzle  200  may further include a piston  308  positioned within the outer housing  202  and at least partially receiving the nozzle  204 . As illustrated, the outer housing  202  may define and otherwise provide an internal cavity  310  configured to receive and seat the piston  308 . The piston  308  may comprise a substantially cylindrical structure that includes a piston body  312  having a first end  314   a  and a second end  314   b . A stem conduit  316  extends from the first end  314   a  and is configured to be received within the well product inlet  206   b  (i.e., the product inlet conduit  306 ), and thereby provide a continuous flow path for the well product  302   b  to proceed through the burner nozzle  200 . One or more seals  318   a  (e.g., O-rings or the like) may be positioned at an interface between the stem conduit  316  and an inner wall of the well product inlet  206   b  (i.e., the product inlet conduit  306 ) to prevent migration of the well product  302   b  past that interface. 
     A piston chamber  320  may be defined within the piston body  312  at or near the second end  314   b . The piston chamber  320  may be configured to receive at least a portion of the nozzle  204  therein. One or more seals  318   b  and  318   c  (e.g., O-rings or the like) may be positioned at corresponding interfaces between the piston  308  and the nozzle  204  within the piston chamber  320 . The first seal  318   b  may be configured to prevent the migration of air  302   a  past the location of the particular interface within the piston chamber  320 , while the second seal  318   c  may be configured to prevent the migration of the well product  302   b  past the location of the particular interface within the piston chamber  320 . 
     The piston body  312  may further define and otherwise provide one or more axial flow ports  322  (one shown) that extend axially between the first end  314   a  of the piston body  312  and the piston chamber  320 . In some embodiments, the piston  308  may provide three axial flow ports  322  that are angularly offset from each other at 120° intervals. In such embodiments, the flow ports  322  may each exhibit a generally arcuate cross-sectional shape extending about a circumference of the piston chamber  320 . In other embodiments, however, more or less than three axial flow ports  322  may be provided, without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Each axial flow port  322  may be fluidly coupled to or otherwise in fluid communication with the air inlet  206   a  such that air  302   a  conveyed to the burner nozzle  200  via the air inlet  206   a  may be conveyed to the piston chamber  320  via the axial flow ports  322 . 
     The nozzle  204  may include a nozzle body  324  that has a first end  326   a  and a second end  326   b . An atomizer  328  may be provided and otherwise defined at the first end  326   a , and the nozzle outlet  210  may be defined at the second end  326   b . An atomizing chamber  330  may be defined within the nozzle body  324  and extend from the nozzle outlet  210  toward the first end  326   a  of the nozzle body  324 . 
     One or more atomizing conduits  332  may be defined in the nozzle body  324  at the atomizer  328  to provide fluid communication between the atomizing chamber  330  and the well product inlet  206   b . Moreover, one or more radially-extending apertures  334  may be defined in the nozzle body  324  at an intermediate location between the first and second ends  326   a,b  of the nozzle body  324  to provide fluid communication between the atomizing chamber  330  and the piston chamber  320  and, therefore, between the atomizing chamber  330  and the air inlet  206   a . Accordingly, air  302   a  may be conveyed into the atomizing chamber  330  from the piston chamber  320  via the apertures  334 , and the well product  302   b  may be conveyed into the atomizing chamber  330  from the well product inlet  206   b  via the atomizing conduits  332 . 
     The atomizing conduits  332  and the apertures  334  may each exhibit a predetermined flow area configured to meter a known amount of well product  302   b  and air  302   a , respectively, into the atomizing chamber  330  to be mixed and otherwise combined. As a result, a specified or predetermined ratio of air  302   a  and well product  302   b  may be supplied to the atomizing chamber  330  and combined to create an air/well product mixture  338  having a known ratio. As will be appreciated, the converging atomizing conduits  332  may be configured to promote turbulence within the atomizing chamber  330 , which facilitates the necessary mixing to generate the air/well product mixture  338 . The resulting air/well product mixture  338  may then be discharged from the atomizing chamber  330  via the nozzle outlet  210 . 
     The piston  308  may be axially movable within the outer housing  202  (i.e., the internal cavity  310 ) between an open position, as shown in  FIG. 3A , and a closed position, as shown in  FIG. 3B . In the open position, the air  302   a  and the well product  302   b  are each able to enter the piston chamber  330  unobstructed and the air/well product mixture  338  may subsequently be discharged via the nozzle outlet  210  for burning. In the closed position, however, the piston  308  is moved downward (i.e., toward the bottom end  205   b  of the outer housing  202 ) with respect to the nozzle  204 , and thereby stopping the flow of the well product  302   b  and substantially stopping the flow of the air  302   a  into the atomizing chamber  330 . Accordingly, when the piston  308  is in the closed position, the burner nozzle  200  may be considered “capped” or otherwise non-operating. 
     The piston  308  may be moved between the open and closed positions either manually or through activation of an associated actuation mechanism (not specifically shown). In some embodiments, for instance, the actuation mechanism may comprise a hydraulic actuator configured to act upon the piston  308  and thereby selectively move the piston  308  between the open and closed positions. In other embodiments, however, the actuation mechanism may comprise, but is not limited to, any mechanical actuator, electrical actuator, electromechanical actuator, or pneumatic actuator, without departing from the scope of the disclosure. 
     The nozzle burner  200  may further include additional seals  318   d  and  318   e  (e.g., O-rings or the like) positioned at one or more interfaces between the piston  308  and corresponding inner surfaces of the internal cavity  310 . As the piston  308  moves between the open and closed positions, the seals  318   d,e  may be configured to maintain a fluid seal that prevents migration of air  302   a  past the location of each interface. 
     As best seen in  FIG. 3B , as the piston  308  moves to the closed position, the atomizer  328  is received within the stem conduit  316  of the piston  208 . As the atomizer  328  enters the stem conduit  316 , one or more seals  318   f  (e.g., O-rings or the like) positioned about the atomizer  328  sealingly engage the inner wall of the stem conduit  316  and thereby prevent the well product  302   b  from migrating past the seal  318   f , toward the atomizing conduits  332 , and into the atomizing chamber  330 . The seals  318   c  positioned about the nozzle  204  may also seal against the inner wall of the piston chamber  320 . Moreover, as the piston  208  moves to the closed position, the piston  208  (i.e., the walls of the piston chamber  320 ) progressively occludes and otherwise covers the apertures  334  defined in the nozzle  204 , and thereby substantially prevents the air  302   a  from entering the atomizing chamber  330 . 
     The piston  308  may be moved to the closed position until a radial shoulder  340  provided on the piston  308  engages a closure surface  342  provided on the nozzle  204 , at which point axial translation of the piston  308  toward the bottom end  205   b  of the outer housing  202  will be stopped. The radial shoulder  340  may be provided at a predetermined distance from the first end  314   a  of the piston body  312 , and the atomizer  328  and associated seal  318   f  may each be provided at a predetermined distance from the closure surface  342  such that, as the piston  308  transitions from open to closed, the atomizer  328  enters the stem conduit  316  and the seal  318   f  sealingly engages the inner wall of the stem conduit  316  prior to the radial shoulder  340  engaging the closure surface  342 . As a result, the flow of the well product  302   b  toward the atomizing conduits  332  and into the atomizing chamber  330  will be stopped prior to reducing the flow of the air  302   a  into the atomizing chamber  330  via the apertures  334 . Similarly, as the piston  308  transitions from closed to open, the flow of the air  302   a  into the atomizing chamber  330  will commence prior to the flow of the well product  302   b . As will be appreciated, this relationship ensures that no un-atomized well product  302   b  is expelled from the nozzle outlet  210 . 
     According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, a small amount of the air  302   a  may leak into the atomizing chamber  330  via the apertures  334  when the piston  308  is in the closed position, and thereby help to cool the burner nozzle  200  when not operating. More particularly, and with reference now to  FIG. 4 , and continued reference to  FIGS. 3A and 3B , illustrated is an enlarged cross-sectional side view of the portion of the burner nozzle  200  indicated in  FIG. 3B . As illustrated, a leading edge  402  may be defined or otherwise provided on the piston  308  at an end of each axial flow port  322 . One or more leak paths  404  may be provided at the leading edge  402  to allow a metered amount of air  302   a  to leak into the atomizing chamber  330  via the apertures  334  when the piston  308  is in the closed position. More particularly, the leak path  404  may be defined by a gap  406  provided between the leading edge  402  and the closure surface  342  provided by the nozzle body  324 . More particularly, at least a portion of the leading edge  402  may be machined or otherwise shortened as compared to the remaining portions of the radial shoulder  340  ( FIGS. 3A and 3B ). Accordingly, the leading edge  402  may be selectively shortened at predetermined locations as compared to the radial shoulder  340  at the same axial position to provide the leak path(s)  404 . 
     As a result, when the radial shoulder  340  seats against the closure surface  342 , as described above, the air  302   a  is prevented from passing through the interface between the radial shoulder  340  and the closure surface  342 . At one or more locations, however, the leading edge  402  may be machined and otherwise configured to provide the gap  406 , which may allow a metered amount of the air  302   a  to pass through the wall of the piston  308  from the axial flow port  322 , and eventually into the atomizing chamber  330  via the apertures  334 . The width or depth of the gap  406  may range between about 0.005 inches and about 0.015 inches, but may alternatively be smaller than 0.005 inches or larger than 0.015 inches, such as between about 0.010 inches and about 0.020 inches deep. 
     In other embodiments, the one or more leak paths  404  may be provided as one or more flow orifices  408  (one shown) defined through the wall of the piston  308  near the leading edge  402 . Similar to the gap  406 , the flow orifice(s)  408  may allow a metered amount of air  302   a  to leak into the atomizing chamber  330  via the apertures  334  when the piston  308  is in the closed position. 
     As the air  302   a  leaks through the leak path(s)  404  and escapes the burner nozzle  200  via the atomizing chamber  330  and the nozzle outlet  210  ( FIGS. 3A-3B ), it may simultaneously cool the burner nozzle  200  by removing thermal energy. As a result, the adverse effects of radiant thermal energy emitted by adjacent burner nozzles may be mitigated. Moreover, as the air  302   a  leaks through the leak path(s)  404  and escapes the burner nozzle  200  via the atomizing chamber  330 , residual well product  302   b  within the atomizing chamber  330  may be atomized and burned, thereby removing the potential for drips. As will be appreciated, this may prove advantageous in improving safety, operational costs, and the environmental impact of the burner nozzle  200 . 
     In some embodiments, various heat transfer structures (not shown) may be positioned at various select locations in the burner nozzle  200  to help increase the heat transfer of the leaking air  302   a . In one embodiment, for instance, cooling fins (not shown) may be installed or otherwise positioned at the air inlet  206   a . In other embodiments, or in addition thereto, cooling fins (not shown) may further be positioned within the apertures  334  or the atomizing chamber  330 , without departing from the scope of the disclosure. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , illustrated is an isometric view of an exemplary burner nozzle assembly  500 , according to one or more embodiments. As illustrated, the burner nozzle assembly  500  may include a plurality of burner nozzles  502 , shown as a first burner nozzle  502   a , a second burner nozzle  502   b , a third burner nozzle  502   c , a fourth burner nozzle  502   d , and fifth burner nozzle  502   e . One or more of the burner nozzles  502   a - e  may be the same as or similar to any of the burner nozzles  104  of  FIG. 1  and, therefore, may be used in the burner system  100  ( FIG. 1 ) to burn an air/well product mixture. In at least one embodiment, for instance, the burner nozzle assembly  500  may comprise one of the vertical columns of burner nozzles  104  depicted in  FIG. 1 . Moreover, one or more of the burner nozzles  502   a - e  may be the same as or similar to the burner nozzle  200  of  FIGS. 2 and 3A-3B . While five burner nozzles  502   a - e  are depicted in the burner nozzle assembly  500 , it will be appreciated that more or less than five burner nozzles  502   a - e  may be employed, without departing from the scope of the disclosure. 
     As illustrated, each burner nozzle  502   a - e  may include an outer housing  504  and a nozzle  506  received and otherwise secured within the interior of the corresponding outer housing  504 . Similar to the outer housing  202  of  FIGS. 2 and 3A-3B , the outer housings  504  may each exhibit a generally cylindrical shape. The burner nozzle assembly  500  may include a single air inlet  508   a  that conveys a supply of air  510   a  into each burner nozzle  502   a - e , and a single well product inlet  508   b  that conveys a supply of a well product  510   b  into each burner nozzle  502   a - e.    
     Each burner nozzle  502   a - e  may be fluidly and operatively coupled to an adjacent burner nozzle  502   a - e  via an air transfer conduit  512  and a well product transfer conduit  514 . More particularly, at least one air transfer conduit  512  and at least one well product transfer conduit  514  may interpose adjacent pairs of burner nozzles  502   a - e . Each interposing air transfer conduit  512  may be configured to convey air  510   a  from one burner nozzle  502   a - e  to the next or adjacent burner nozzle  502   a - e . Similarly, each interposing well product transfer conduit  514  may be configured to convey the well product  510   b  from one burner nozzle  502   a - e  to the next or adjacent burner nozzle  502   a - e . As a result, the air  510   a  and the well product  510   b  must first pass through the first burner nozzle  502   a  before it can be conveyed to any of the succeeding burner nozzles  502   b - e . The last burner nozzle  502   e  in the burner nozzle assembly  500  may be capped so that the air  510   a  and the well product  510   b  only exit the burner nozzles  502   a - e  via the nozzles  506 . 
     In some embodiments, the outer housings  504  and the air transfer and well product transfer conduits  512 , 514  between each outer housing  504  may cooperatively comprise a monolithic component part, such as a manifold. In other embodiments, however, the outer housings  504  and the air transfer and well product transfer conduits  512 , 514  between each outer housing  504  may each comprise separate parts or structures that may be operatively coupled together to receive the nozzles  506 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 6A and 6B , with continued reference to  FIG. 5 , illustrated are end and cross-sectional side views, respectively, of the burner nozzle assembly  500 , according to one or more embodiments. More particularly,  FIG. 6A  is an end view of the burner nozzle assembly  500  as looking at the end of the nozzles  506 , and  FIG. 6B  is a cross-sectional side view of the burner nozzle assembly  500  as taken along the line indicated in  FIG. 6A . The air and well product transfer conduits  512 ,  514  may each comprise a pipe or tubing conduit either coupled to the outer housing  504  at their respective locations or forming an integral part or extension of the outer housing(s)  504 . In some embodiments, one or both of the air and well product transfer conduits  512 ,  514  may extend into the interior of the adjacent outer housing  504 . In other embodiments, however, one or both of the air and well product transfer conduits  512 ,  514  may be directly or indirectly coupled to the outer surface of the adjacent outer housing  504 . 
     As best seen in  FIG. 6B , each burner nozzle  502   a - e  may include an atomizer  602  and an atomizing chamber  604  defined by the corresponding nozzle  506 . The atomizer  602  in each burner nozzle  502   a - e  may be configured to convey a portion of the well product  510   b  into the atomizing chamber  604 , and one or more apertures  606  defined in each nozzle  506  may be configured to convey a portion of the air  510   a  into the atomizing chamber  604 . As a result, a specified or predetermined ratio of air  510   a  and well product  510   b  may be supplied to the atomizing chamber  604  of each burner nozzle  502   a - e  and combined to create an air/well product mixture  608  that may be subsequently discharged from the atomizing chamber  604  via the nozzle  506 . 
     Some or all of the burner nozzles  502   a - e  may be actuatable or otherwise movable between open and closed configurations, as generally described above. In other embodiments, some or all of the burner nozzles  502   a - e  may be moved to the closed configuration by replacing the nozzle  506  with a nozzle plug (not shown). When in the closed configuration, the well product  510   b  may be prevented from entering the atomizing chamber  604  of the corresponding burner nozzle  502   a - e  and mixing with the air  510   a . Rather, when a particular burner nozzle  502   a - e  is moved to the closed configuration, the well product  510   b  may continue flowing to the next or adjacent burner nozzle  502   a - e  via the adjoining well product transfer conduit  514 . As the well product  510   b  flows to subsequent or adjacent burner nozzles  502   a - e , thermal energy or heat may be drawn away from the closed burner nozzle  502   a - e , and thereby helping to mitigate the adverse effects of radiant thermal energy emitted from adjacent operating burner nozzles  502   a - e.    
     Moreover, when a particular burner nozzle  502   a - e  is moved to the closed configuration, the air  510   a  may flow around the nozzle  506  within the outer housing  504  and continue flowing to the next or adjacent burner nozzle  502   a - e  via the adjoining air transfer conduit  512 . As the air  510   a  flows to subsequent or adjacent burner nozzles  502   a - e , thermal energy or heat may be drawn away from the closed burner nozzle  502   a - e , and thereby helping to mitigate the adverse effects of radiant thermal energy emitted from adjacent operating burner nozzles  502   a - e . In some embodiments, at least a portion of the air  510   a  may flow into the atomizing chamber  604  and may escape the particular burner nozzle  502   a - e  via the nozzle  504  or, more particularly, via a specially designed nozzle plug (not shown). In such embodiments, the air  510   a  may not only flow around the nozzle  506  within the outer housing  504  and continue flowing to the next or adjacent burner nozzle  502   a - e , but may also escape the nozzle  506  and thereby draw thermal energy away from the particular burner nozzle  502   a - e.    
     Referring now to  FIGS. 7A and 7B , with continued reference to  FIGS. 5 and 6A-6B , illustrated are cross-sectional side views of an exemplary burner nozzle  502  in an open configuration and a closed configuration, respectively, according to one or more embodiments. As illustrated in  FIG. 7A , the burner nozzle  502  includes the outer housing  504  and the nozzle  506  received and otherwise secured within an interior  702  of the outer housing  504 . A supply of air  510   a  may be conveyed into the interior  702  via an air inlet  704   a , and a supply of the well product  510   b  may be conveyed to the atomizer  602  via a well product inlet  704   b . The air  510   a  may enter the atomizing chamber  604  via the apertures  606  and mix with the well product  510   b  to generate the air/well product mixture  608  that is discharged from the burner nozzle via a nozzle outlet  706 . 
     As will be appreciated, the burner nozzle  502  is depicted in  FIG. 7A  in the open configuration. In some embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 7B , when it is desired to move the burner nozzle  502  to the closed configuration, the nozzle  506  may be removed and replaced with a nozzle plug  708  that may be inserted into and otherwise secured within the interior  702  of the outer housing  504 . The nozzle plug  708  may provide a generally cylindrical body  710  having an open end  712   a , a closed end  712   b , and an inner chamber  714  defined between the open and closed ends  712   a,b . As illustrated, the closed end  712   b  may close off and otherwise plug the well product inlet  704   b  such that the well product  510  is prevented from entering the interior  702  of the outer housing  504 . Moreover, the body  710  does not include the apertures  606  ( FIG. 7A ) and, therefore, the air  510   a  is substantially prevented from entering the inner chamber  714 . 
     According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, however, a small amount of the air  510   a  may leak into the inner chamber  714  when the burner nozzle  502  is moved to the closed configuration, and thereby help to cool the burner nozzle  502  when not operating. More particularly, and with reference to  FIG. 8 , and continued reference to  FIG. 7B , illustrated is an enlarged cross-sectional side view of the portion of the burner nozzle  502  indicated in  FIG. 7B . As illustrated, one or more leak paths  802  (one shown) may be defined in the nozzle plug  708  to allow a metered amount of air  510   a  to leak into the inner chamber  714  when the burner nozzle  502  is moved to the closed configuration. More particularly, the leak path  802  may comprise one or more flow orifices  804  (one shown) defined through the body  710  of the nozzle plug  708 . The flow orifice(s)  804  may allow a metered amount of air  51  to leak into the inner chamber  714  and escape the burner nozzle  502  at the open end  712   a  of the body  710 . 
     As the air  510   a  leaks through the leak path(s)  802  and escapes the burner nozzle  502  via the open end  712   a  of the body  710 , it may simultaneously cool the burner nozzle  502  by removing thermal energy. As a result, the adverse effects of radiant thermal energy emitted by adjacent burner nozzles may be mitigated. As will be appreciated, this may prove advantageous in improving safety, operational costs, and the environmental impact of the burner nozzle  200 . In some embodiments, various heat transfer structures (not shown) may be positioned at various select locations in the burner nozzle  502  to help increase the heat transfer of the leaking air  510   a . In one embodiment, for instance, cooling fins (not shown) may be installed or otherwise positioned at the air inlet  704   a.    
     Embodiments disclosed herein include: 
     A. A burner nozzle that includes an outer housing that defines an internal cavity, a nozzle receivable within the internal cavity and defining an atomizing chamber, and a piston receivable within the internal cavity and providing a piston body that defines a piston chamber that receives at least a portion of the nozzle, wherein the piston is axially movable within the internal cavity between an open position, where air and a well product provided to the outer housing enter the atomizing chamber to generate an air/well product mixture, and a closed position, where the piston moves to stop a flow of the well product and a metered amount of air flows through one or more leak paths and into the atomizing chamber, the one or more leak paths being defined near a leading edge of the piston. 
     B. A method that includes conveying air and a well product to a burner nozzle, the burner nozzle including an outer housing that defines an internal cavity, a nozzle receivable within the internal cavity and defining an atomizing chamber, and a piston receivable within the internal cavity and providing a piston body that defines a piston chamber that receives at least a portion of the nozzle, receiving the air and the well product into the atomizing chamber and thereby generating an air/well product mixture, moving the piston axially within the internal cavity to a closed position, where a flow of the well product into the atomizing chamber stops and one or more leak paths are defined near a leading edge of the piston, allowing a metered amount of air to flow through the one or more leak paths and into the atomizing chamber, and cooling the burner nozzle as the metered amount of air escapes the burner nozzle via a nozzle outlet. 
     C. A burner nozzle assembly that includes a plurality of burner nozzles, each burner nozzle including an outer housing and a nozzle received within an interior of the outer housing, an air inlet that conveys air into a first burner nozzle of the plurality of burner nozzles, a well product inlet that conveys a well product into the first burner nozzle of the plurality of burner nozzles, an air transfer conduit interposing and fluidly coupling the outer housing of adjacent burner nozzles such that the air is transferred from the first burner nozzle to all subsequent burner nozzles, and a well product transfer conduit interposing and fluidly coupling the outer housing of adjacent burner nozzles such that the well product is transferred from the first burner nozzle to all subsequent burner nozzles. 
     D. A method that includes providing a burner nozzle assembly that includes a plurality of burner nozzles, each burner nozzle including an outer housing and a nozzle received within an interior of the outer housing, supplying air into a first burner nozzle of the plurality of burner nozzles via an air inlet, supplying a well product into the first burner nozzle of the plurality of burner nozzles via a well product inlet, transferring the air from the first burner nozzle to all subsequent burner nozzles via one or more air transfer conduits interposing and fluidly coupling the outer housing of adjacent burner nozzles, and transferring the well product from the first burner nozzle to all subsequent burner nozzles via one or more well product transfer conduits interposing and fluidly coupling the outer housing of adjacent burner nozzles. 
     Each of embodiments A, B, C, and D may have one or more of the following additional elements in any combination: Element 1: wherein the nozzle provides a nozzle body and an atomizer extending from the nozzle body, the nozzle body defining a nozzle outlet and the atomizing chamber extending between the nozzle outlet and the atomizer, and wherein the piston provides a piston body that has a first end, a second end, and a stem conduit extending from the first end and into a well product inlet. Element 2: further comprising one or more axial flow ports defined in the piston body and extending between the first end and the piston chamber, each axial flow port being fluidly coupled to the air inlet to provide air to the piston chamber, and one or more apertures defined in the nozzle body to provide fluid communication between the atomizing chamber and the air inlet via the piston chamber. Element 3: further comprising one or more atomizing conduits defined in the nozzle body at the atomizer to provide fluid communication between the atomizing chamber and the well product inlet, wherein the one or more atomizing conduits and the one or more apertures each exhibit a predetermined flow area to meter a known amount of well product and air, respectively, into the atomizing chamber. Element 4: wherein, as the piston moves to the closed position, a wall of the piston chamber progressively occludes the one or more apertures. Element 5: further comprising at least one seal disposed about the atomizer, wherein, when the piston is moved to the closed position, the atomizer is received within the stem conduit and the at least one seal sealingly engages an inner wall of the stem conduit. Element 6: further comprising a radial shoulder provided by the piston to seat against a closure surface provided by the nozzle when the piston is in the closed position, wherein at least a portion of the leading edge is shortened as compared to the radial shoulder to define a gap that forms the one or more leak paths. Element 7: wherein the one or more leak paths comprise one or more flow orifices defined through a wall of the piston near the leading edge. 
     Element 8: wherein the nozzle includes a nozzle body and an atomizer extending from the nozzle body, the atomizing chamber extending between the nozzle outlet and the atomizer, and wherein the piston includes a piston body that has a first end, a second end, and a stem conduit extending from the first end, the method further comprising conveying the well product into the atomizing chamber via one or more atomizing conduits defined in the nozzle body at the atomizer. Element 9: wherein the burner nozzle further includes one or more axial flow ports defined in the piston body and extending between the first end and the piston chamber, and one or more apertures defined in the nozzle body to provide fluid communication between the atomizing chamber and the piston chamber, and wherein the one or more atomizing conduits and the one or more apertures each exhibit a predetermined flow area, the method further comprising metering a known amount of well product and air into the atomizing chamber via the one or more atomizing conduits and the one or more apertures, respectively. Element 10: further comprising receiving the atomizer within the stem conduit when the piston is moved to the closed position, and sealingly engaging an inner wall of the stem conduit with at least one seal disposed about the atomizer. Element 11: wherein moving the piston axially within the internal cavity to the closed position further comprises seating a radial shoulder provided by the piston against an adjacent closure surface provided by the nozzle body, wherein at least a portion of the leading edge of each axial flow port is shortened as compared to the radial shoulder to define a gap that forms the one or more leak paths. Element 12: wherein allowing the metered amount of air to flow through the one or more leak paths and into the atomizing chamber comprises allowing the metered amount of air to flow through one or more flow orifices defined through a wall of the piston near the leading edge. Element 12: further comprising progressively occluding the one or more apertures with a wall of the piston chamber as the piston moves to the closed position. Element 13: further comprising atomizing and burning residual well product within the atomizing chamber as the metered amount of air flows through the one or more leak paths. 
     Element 14: wherein the outer housing of each burner nozzle, each air transfer conduit, and each well product transfer conduit cooperatively comprise a monolithic component part. Element 15: wherein each burner nozzle comprises an atomizer in fluid communication with the well product inlet, one or more apertures defined in the nozzle, and an atomizing chamber defined by the nozzle to receive a portion of the well product from the atomizer and a portion of the air via the one or more apertures to create an air/well product mixture. Element 16: wherein at least one of the burner nozzles is movable between an open configuration, where the portion of the air and the portion of the well product enter the atomizing chamber to generate the air/well product mixture, and a closed configuration, where a flow of the well product into the atomizing chamber ceases but continues to a subsequent burner nozzle. Element 17: wherein, when the at least one of the burner nozzles is moved to the closed configuration, a flow of the air into the atomizing chamber and to the subsequent burner nozzle continues. Element 18: further comprising a nozzle plug that replaces the nozzle within the outer housing to move a corresponding burner nozzle from an open configuration to a closed configuration, the nozzle plug including a body having an open end, a closed end, and an inner chamber defined between the open and closed ends, wherein the closed end prevents the well product from entering the interior of the outer housing, and one or more leak paths defined in the nozzle plug to allow a metered amount of air to leak into the inner chamber and escape the body at the open end. Element 19: wherein the one or more leak paths comprise one or more flow orifices defined through the body of the nozzle plug. 
     Element 20: wherein each burner nozzle comprises an atomizer in fluid communication with the well product inlet and one or more apertures defined in the nozzle, the method further comprising receiving a portion of the well product from the atomizer in an atomizing chamber defined by the nozzle, and receiving a portion of the air in the atomizer via the one or more apertures and thereby creating an air/well product mixture. Element 21: further comprising moving at least one of the burner nozzles to a closed configuration and thereby ceasing a flow of the well product into the atomizing chamber, conveying the flow of the well product to a subsequent burner nozzle, and drawing thermal energy away from the at least one of the burner nozzles with the flow the well product to the subsequent burner nozzle. Element 22: further comprising continuing a flow of the air into the atomizing chamber and to the subsequent burner nozzle when the at least one of the burner nozzles is moved to the closed configuration, and drawing thermal energy away from the at least one of the burner nozzles with the flow the air to the subsequent burner nozzle. Element 23: wherein moving the at least one of the burner nozzles to the closed configuration comprises replacing the nozzle with a nozzle plug within the outer housing, the nozzle plug including a body having an open end, a closed end, and an inner chamber defined between the open and closed ends, preventing the well product from entering the interior of the outer housing with the closed end, and allowing a metered amount of air to leak into the inner chamber via one or more leak paths defined in the nozzle plug. Element 24: wherein the one or more leak paths comprise one or more flow orifices defined through the body of the nozzle plug, the method further comprising allowing the metered amount of air to leak into the inner chamber via the one or more flow orifices, and cooling the at least one of the burner nozzles as the air escapes the body at the open end. Element 25: further comprising atomizing and burning residual well product within the inner chamber as the metered amount of air flows through the one or more leak paths. 
     By way of non-limiting example, exemplary combinations applicable to A, B, C, and D include: Element 1 with Element 2; Element 2 with Element 3; Element 2 with Element 4; Element 1 with Element 5; Element 15 with Element 15; Element 15 with Element 17; Element 17 with Element 18; Element 18 with Element 19; Element 20 with Element 21; Element 21 with Element 22; Element 22 with Element 23; Element 23 with Element 24; and Element 23 with Element 25. 
     Therefore, the disclosed systems and methods are well adapted to attain the ends and advantages mentioned as well as those that are inherent therein. The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as the teachings of the present disclosure may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. Furthermore, no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown, other than as described in the claims below. It is therefore evident that the particular illustrative embodiments disclosed above may be altered, combined, or modified and all such variations are considered within the scope of the present disclosure. The systems and methods illustratively disclosed herein may suitably be practiced in the absence of any element that is not specifically disclosed herein and/or any optional element disclosed herein. While compositions and methods are described in terms of “comprising,” “containing,” or “including” various components or steps, the compositions and methods can also “consist essentially of” or “consist of” the various components and steps. All numbers and ranges disclosed above may vary by some amount. Whenever a numerical range with a lower limit and an upper limit is disclosed, any number and any included range falling within the range is specifically disclosed. In particular, every range of values (of the form, “from about a to about b,” or, equivalently, “from approximately a to b,” or, equivalently, “from approximately a-b”) disclosed herein is to be understood to set forth every number and range encompassed within the broader range of values. Also, the terms in the claims have their plain, ordinary meaning unless otherwise explicitly and clearly defined by the patentee. Moreover, the indefinite articles “a” or “an,” as used in the claims, are defined herein to mean one or more than one of the elements that it introduces. If there is any conflict in the usages of a word or term in this specification and one or more patent or other documents that may be incorporated herein by reference, the definitions that are consistent with this specification should be adopted. 
     As used herein, the phrase “at least one of” preceding a series of items, with the terms “and” or “or” to separate any of the items, modifies the list as a whole, rather than each member of the list (i.e., each item). The phrase “at least one of” allows a meaning that includes at least one of any one of the items, and/or at least one of any combination of the items, and/or at least one of each of the items. By way of example, the phrases “at least one of A, B, and C” or “at least one of A, B, or C” each refer to only A, only B, or only C; any combination of A, B, and C; and/or at least one of each of A, B, and C.