Purge gas admission control for flare system

Claim 2

In a flare stack system for the flaring variable quantities of combustible and potentially explosive gases, the improvement comprising: a. temperature sensing means in the flare stack system to determine the temperature of the gases therein; b. means to flow purge gas through said system downstream of said temperature sensing means; and c. means responsive to said temperature sensing means for controlling the rate of flow of said purge gas, between at least a low and a high rate of flow as a function of said temperature.

Claim 3

The flare system as in claim 1 in which said temperature sensing means includes thermocouple means, and including relay means controlled by said thermocouple means.

Claim 4

The flare system as in claim 1 in which said temperature sensing means includes capillary sensor means.

Claim 5

The flare system as in claim 1 in which said temperature sensing means includes bimetallic switch means.

Claim 6

The flare system as in claim 1 inCluding short cylindrical pipe means supported axially in said stack, and means to position said temperature sensor inside said pipe means.

Claim 7

The flare system as in claim 5 in which said sensor is introduced through said stack and said pipe transverse to their axis.

Claim 8

The flare system as in claim 1 in which said temperature sensing means is mounted inside of a thermowell which passes through the sidewall of said stack.

Claim 9

The flare system as in claim 1 in which said temperature sensing means is mounted on the outside of the wall of said stack.

Claim 10

In a flare stack system for the flaring variable quantities of combustible and potentially explosive gases, the improvement comprising: a. means to sense the temperature of gases within said flare stack system; b. first and second purge gas inlet circuits to said system located downstream of said temperature sensing means; c. means to maintain a constant minimal flow of said purge gas through said first conduit; d. means responsive to said temperature sensing means to supply additional flow of purge gas through said second conduit as a function of said temperature.

Claim 11

In a flare stack system for the flaring variable quantities of combustible and potentially explosive gases, the improvement comprising: a. means to sense the temperature of gases within said flare stack system; b. first and second purge gas inlet circuits to said system located downstream of said temperature sensing means; c. means to maintain a constant minimal flow of said purge gas through said first conduit; d. means responsive to said temperature sensing means to supply additional flow of purge gas through said second conduit as a function of said temperature.

Claim 12

A flare system of claim 1, the further improvement of means surrounding said temperature sensing device to avoid heat loss therefrom by radiation to cooler duct walls.