Patent ID: 7247016

Claim:
An apparatus for enhancing the complete combustion of an undesired chemical and to thereby minimize the formation of smoke in the operation of a flaring stack, the flaring stack having an outlet for the discharge of a flare feedstream that comprises a combustible mixture formed by the undesired chemical and a fuel gas, an igniter located proximate the stack outlet for producing a flame from said combustible mixture, and a shield that is positioned coaxially 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 exterior periphery of the flare stack outlet in an annular space defined by the shield and stack, each of the air jet nozzles being directed toward the stack outlet and in the direction of the feedstream's movement; and 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; and c. a plurality of low pressure wind control nozzles positioned around the periphery of the stack outlet and directed inwardly, wherein a low pressure curtain of air is formed to flow inwardly and upwardly from the stack outlet at the base of the flame to minimize the effect of atmospheric cross winds disruptive to an optimum combustion patterns of the flame.