US3749546A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Smokeless flare pit burner and method
Assignee: KGI Inc
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Filing: 1971-09-20
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Granted: 1973-07-31
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Expires: 1991-09-20
Abstract
Abstract This invention involves a method and apparatus for smokeless combustion of a combustible gas, which is supplied at a flow rate which varies widely from a low to a high value. It involves dividing the total flow rate through a manifold into a plurality of flow lines with each flow line providing gas to a plurality of burners. The pressure of the gas in the manifold is measured and valves in each of the flow lines are controlled as a function of the manifold pressure, so that they open, one at a time, as the flow increases, thereby supplying gas to each flow line and to its burners at a much narrower range in flow rate. Thus the velocity of the gas is always high enough to get proper air mixing and smokeless combustion.
Inventors
- 👤 H Goodnight
- 👤 R Reed
- 👤 J Zink
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 13:03
CPC Classifications
F; F23; F23G; F23G7/00; F23G7/06; F23G7/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
152 words
A method for smokelessly flaring a combustible gas at or above ground level which gas is supplied at a variable flow rate from a manifold into a plurality of flow lines, each flow line providing gas to at least one burner comprising the steps of: a. passing gas uncontrolled directly into a first flow line to at least one burner; b. controlling the gas flow into each of said subsequent flow lines by means of mechanical valves, each of said valves presettable to desired opening and closing pressures; c. separately measuring the Pressure in said first flow line and in each succeeding flow line at a point downstream of each of said valves; d. sequentially controlling the gas flow into a subsequent flow line as a function of said measured pressure in its preceding flow line to maintain optimum gas velocity at each burner for proper air-gas mixing to provide smokeless combustion.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
152 words
A method for smokelessly flaring a combustible gas at or above ground level which gas is supplied at a variable flow rate from a manifold into a plurality of flow lines, each flow line providing gas to at least one burner comprising the steps of: a. passing gas uncontrolled directly into a first flow line to at least one burner; b. controlling the gas flow into each of said subsequent flow lines by means of mechanical valves, each of said valves presettable to desired opening and closing pressures; c. separately measuring the Pressure in said first flow line and in each succeeding flow line at a point downstream of each of said valves; d. sequentially controlling the gas flow into a subsequent flow line as a function of said measured pressure in its preceding flow line to maintain optimum gas velocity at each burner for proper air-gas mixing to provide smokeless combustion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method as in claim 1 including opening each of said valves when the gas pressure in said preceding flow line reaches a selected pressure P1; and closing each of said valves when said gas pressure in said preceding flow line drops to a selected pressure P2, where P2 is less than P1.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
134 words
A system for smokelessly flaring a combustible gas at or above ground level which is supplied through a supply line at a variable flow rate, comprising: a. manifold means for connecting said supply line to a plurality of flow lines, each flow line having a plurality of vertical burner lines, burners at the top of each burner line, said burners comprising a conduit having at least one orifice for jetting said gas into the surrounding air; b. valve means in each flow line except the first; c. means to measure the gas pressure in said manifold; and d. control means responsive to said manifold pressure to open said valves, each at a different selected pressure in said manifold to maintain optimum gas velocity at said burners for proper air-gas mixing to provide smokeless combustion.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
134 words
A system for smokelessly flaring a combustible gas at or above ground level which is supplied through a supply line at a variable flow rate, comprising: a. manifold means for connecting said supply line to a plurality of flow lines, each flow line having a plurality of vertical burner lines, burners at the top of each burner line, said burners comprising a conduit having at least one orifice for jetting said gas into the surrounding air; b. valve means in each flow line except the first; c. means to measure the gas pressure in said manifold; and d. control means responsive to said manifold pressure to open said valves, each at a different selected pressure in said manifold to maintain optimum gas velocity at said burners for proper air-gas mixing to provide smokeless combustion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system as in claim 3 in which said control means opens a first valve at a manifold pressure P1 and closes said first valve at a pressure P2 and P1 is greater than P2.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
54 words
The system as in claim 4 in which said control means is adapted to open a second valve to a third flow line at a manifold pressure P3 where P3 is greater than P1, and to close said second valve at a pressure P4 where P4 is less than P3 and greater than P2.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system as in claim 3 including a pit in the earth into which the manifold, valves and flow lines are placed and including an earthen dike surrounding said pit;
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
48 words
The system as in claim 3 including a metal fence surrounding said burners, said fence including louvers for air flow into the burner space, said burners and said fence constructed in such a manner as to cut off luminous and heat radiation to selected areas around said fence.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system as in claim 3 including at least five flow lines.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system as in claim 3 including from two to five flow lines.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system as in claim 3 including at least eight burners per flow line.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system as in claim 3 including from one to eight burners per flow line.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system as in claim 7 including a refractory coating on at least part of the surface of said fence exposed to the radiation from said burners.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said optimum gas velocity substantially approaches or is of critical or sonic.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-07-30 | 1977-01-29 | 1977-07-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-30 | 1981-01-29 | 1981-07-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-30 | 1985-01-29 | 1985-07-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |