Patent ID: 6908297

Claim:
A method for improving the efficiency of a process which comprises a process stream at least a portion of which is capable of forming a gaseous hydrogen-containing enrichment stream, and a dilute gaseous waste material stream not capable of self-sustaining combustion, comprising gaseous waste material at least a portion of which is converted to carbon dioxide and water vapor by burning using a flare apparatus, said method comprising the steps of: a) forming a gaseous hydrogen-containing enrichment stream derived from at least a portion of the process stream; b) blending the gaseous hydrogen-containing enrichment stream with the dilute gaseous waste material stream to form a blended flare feed stream; c) feeding the blended flare feed stream to the flare apparatus; and d) burning the blended flare feed stream using the flare apparatus to convert at least 80% of the gaseous waste material to carbon dioxide and water.