Patent ID: 7258544

Claim:
A gas flare, comprising: a housing; at least one combustible gas flow passage extending through the housing; an annular ceramic igniter body disposed in the housing and lining the at least one combustible gas flow passage such that combustible gas flowing through the gas flow passage is surrounded by the annular ceramic igniter body and flows through the annular ceramic igniter body; and a heating element embedded in the annular ceramic igniter body, the heating element extending longitudinally through the annular ceramic igniter body in the direction of the flow of gas through the gas flow passage and maintaining the body at a temperature above an ignition temperature of a combustible mixture of combustion air and combustible gases, such that the combustible mixture passing along the at least one combustible gas flow passage is ignited immediately upon coming in contact with the annular ceramic igniter body lining the at least one combustible gas flow passage.