Patent ID: 7354265

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 flare stack, the flare stack having a sidewall terminating in an outlet for the discharge of a flare feedstream comprising a combustible mixture formed by the undesired chemical and a fuel gas, an igniter located proximate the stack outlet, and a shield that is spaced apart from and surrounds the outside surface of the stack proximate the stack outlet, the apparatus comprising: a. a plurality of high pressure air amplifier nozzles at spaced apart positions on the interior of the stack and displaced below the lower edge of the flare stack outlet, each of the air amplifier nozzles 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 amplifier nozzles; and c. a plurality of openings passing through the side wall of the stack above the air amplifier nozzles, whereby the discharge of the air from the amplifier nozzles forms a plurality of high-velocity air jets to produce a moving air mass that draws additional atmospheric air into the feedstream moving up the stack to enhance the mixing of the flare feedstream with external ambient air.