| Flare stack -> Monitor Keywords |
|
|
  Flare stackUSPTO Application #: 20070059653Title: Flare stack Abstract: A flare stack for burning a vapor having a combustion chamber having a plurality of air intakes for allowing air into the chamber, the air intakes allowing air into the chamber but reducing or blocking the flame from the view of an observer. (end of abstract) Agent: Diederiks & Whitelaw, PLC - Woodbridge, VA, US Inventor: John Clay Purdy USPTO Applicaton #: 20070059653 - Class: 431005000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Combustion, Process Of Combustion Or Burner Operation, Burning Waste Gas, E.g., Furnace Gas, Etc. The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070059653. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/715,148 filed Sep. 9, 2005 entitled "Improved Flare Stack". FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates generally to an apparatus and method for burning a vapor. More particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus and method for burning a waste vapor, such as methane at a well site. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Industrial operations often generate or release vapors which require disposal, for a variety of reasons. At one time, these vapors were merely vented to atmosphere and allowed to dissipate. However, it is more common, in the case of flammable vapors, for the vapors to be burnt off or incinerated in a controlled manner. [0004] One industry where this is common is in oil and gas exploration, production, and service industries, as these operations often lead to relatively small amounts of waste vapors which must be captured or otherwise disposed of. Frequently, these waste vapors are burnt on-site using a flare stack. [0005] As an example, in coal bed methane fracturing operations, liquid nitrogen is used to fracture coal seams. The liquid nitrogen is heated to a gaseous state and then pumped into a coal seam at high pressure. The high pressure nitrogen fractures the coal seam to provide channels which allow increased access or production of methane from the coal seams. [0006] As part of these operations, the nitrogen is allowed to return to surface along with coal and other debris. In this case a catch tank is used to catch flow from the well and help dissipate such flow before it enters the atmosphere, thereby providing a safe way to bleed off excess pressure during and after a fracturing operation. [0007] The well will then start to flow produced gas (e.g. methane). While the well is being evaluated, or "on-test", and until the well is tied in to a collection system, the produced gas is usually burnt off using a flare stack. Hydrogen sulfide is not known to be associated with coal bed methane operations, and the methane is burned off to produce CO.sub.2 and H.sub.2O. The burning flames from open flare stacks may contribute to forest fires in certain circumstances. [0008] Abnormal flaring operations created by emergency situations or otherwise can result in a large visible flame, considerable noise, and smoke. Normal or planned flaring operations are designed or engineered to appropriately plan for the flame size, and to control noise and smoke. Environmental regulations may require public notice of any extended planned flaring. However, to a casual observer it may not be obvious when a particular flaring operation is planned (normal) or emergency (abnormal). [0009] Well sites are often near populated areas, and while flaring operations are generally thought to be relatively harmless, a nearby resident who observes flaring can become concerned that something bad, abnormal, or dangerous is occurring at the well site. This is particularly problematic for well servicing operations (such as coal bed methane fracturing or well testing) as these operations are normal, but do result in flaring which is not a normal occurrence at the well site. [0010] Thus, well site operators may experience frequent phone calls or other communications from nearby residents or passers by expressing concern whenever flaring operations are underway. These misunderstandings have the potential to cause bad will or mistrust towards the oil and gas companies. [0011] A known way of reducing the concern of neighbors is through the use of a fueled incinerator system to dispose of waste vapors. These systems use a separate fuel source to burn off the waste vapor and the flame at all times is concealed from view inside the incinerator. However, these incinerator systems are of considerable size and cost and require auxiliary equipment (such as a power supply from a generator set) and require a separate fuel supply which must be delivered to site by truck, pipeline or otherwise. [0012] It is, therefore, desirable to provide an apparatus and method for burning waste gas at a location such as a well site which visibly conceals the flame and does not require a separate fuel source. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0013] It is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate at least one disadvantage of previous flare stacks. [0014] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a flare stack for burning a waste vapor having a chamber having a vapor inlet, an outlet, and an elongate intermediate section, the chamber having a plurality of air intakes adapted to allow air to flow into the chamber, and ignition means for igniting the vapor adapted to create a flame, wherein the flare stack is adapted to substantially visually contain the flame. [0015] Preferably, the flare stack further includes a pre-mix chamber associated with the vapor inlet, the pre-mix chamber having a pre-mix air inlet, the pre-mix chamber adapted to mix the vapor and air in a mixture for ignition by the ignition means. Preferably, the flare stack further includes a diffuser plate associated with the outlet. Preferably, the each of the plurality of air intakes are rotationally positioned at substantially 120 degrees to another of one of the plurality of air intakes. [0016] Preferably, the plurality of air intakes comprise a tubular air intake. Preferably, the tubular air intake includes an elongate tubular extending between an inlet and an outlet, the inlet being substantially flush with the outer wall of the chamber and the outlet terminating in the bore of the chamber. Preferably, the outlet includes a substantially horizontal outlet face. [0017] In a further embodiment, there is provided a flare stack where in addition or alternatively, the plurality of air intakes comprise an air intake chimney. Preferably, the air intake chimney comprises a substantially horizontal tubular extending between a first end through the chamber to a second end, and a substantially vertical tubular extending from the wall of the horizontal tubular and extending substantially vertical up a portion of the chamber. Preferably, the air intakes include a wind guard adapted to block direct access to the first end and the second end. [0018] Preferably, the chamber is an elongate tubular. Preferably, the chamber is substantially vertical. Preferably, the chamber is constructed of stainless steel. Preferably, the chamber further comprises an inner coating, the inner coating covering at least a portion of an inner wall of the chamber, the coating adapted to resist heat generated by the flame. [0019] Preferably, the flare stack is adapted to burn vapor at a rate of between 150,000 to 500,000 cubic feet per day. Preferably, the vapor comprises substantially methane. Preferably, the chamber is adapted to burn the vapor wherein the temperature of the chamber is substantially 1200 degrees Fahrenheit (648.89 degrees Celsius). [0020] In a further aspect, the present invention provides a method for burning a vapor comprising the steps of allowing air to mix with the vapor to form a mixture, igniting the mixture to create a flame, providing an elongate substantially vertical tubular chamber for receiving the flame, allowing additional air into the chamber at a plurality of points proximate the flame, wherein the flame is substantially always substantially concealed from view. Continue reading... Full patent description for Flare stack Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Flare stack patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Flare stack or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Repositionable glossy photo media Next Patent Application: Gas cooker burner of improved type Industry Class: Combustion ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Flare stack patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 2.50285 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Medical: Surgery , Surgery(2) , Surgery(3) , Drug , Drug(2) , Prosthesis , Dentistry |
||
