US3814567A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Smokeless flare using liquid water particles
Assignee: KGI Inc
•
Filing: 1972-02-22
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Granted: 1974-06-04
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Expires: 1992-02-22
Abstract
Abstract This disclosure describes a system for smokeless burning of hydrocarbon gases in which liquid water is used as input in place of the customary use of steam to provide the hydrogen necessary to accomplish complete smokeless combustion. A particular design of atomizer is used in which the pressure of gas provides the energy for atomizing the water into droplets of such small size that they will instantly evaporate in the flame, and provide the water vapor to reform the hydrocarbons and provide the necessary hydrogen-to-carbon ratio for smokeless combustion.
Inventors
- 👤 H Goodnight
- 👤 J Zink
- 👤 R Reed
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 08:17
CPC Classifications
F; F23; F23L; F23L7/00; F23L7/002; F23G; F23G7/00; F23G7/06; F23G7/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
74 words
In a smokeless flare having a flare stack within which a gas stream is conducted to an outlet tip for burning thereabove, the improvement comprising: at least one means adjacent said outlet tip for directing, into the flame of said burning gas stream, liquid water particles of size less than 200 microns, the size of said droplets being sufficiently small so that in the environment of said flame the droplets are vaporized to steam.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
74 words
In a smokeless flare having a flare stack within which a gas stream is conducted to an outlet tip for burning thereabove, the improvement comprising: at least one means adjacent said outlet tip for directing, into the flame of said burning gas stream, liquid water particles of size less than 200 microns, the size of said droplets being sufficiently small so that in the environment of said flame the droplets are vaporized to steam.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
88 words
A flare of claim 1 where said means adjacent said outlet tip comprises: a first pipe for supplying pressured gas, a first orifice means in the end of said first pipe, a wall surrounding and spaced from said end of said first pipe to form a plenum, a second orifice in said wall coaxial with but larger than said first orifice, means to supply liquid water to said plenum whereby said pressured gas issuing from said first orifice forms and directs said droplets into said burning gas stream.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
11 words
first orifice means in the end of said first pipe means;
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
11 words
first orifice means in the end of said first pipe means;
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
plenum means surrounding and supported by the end of said first pipe means, including a circular wall coaxial with said first pipe to form an annular space and second orifice means coaxial with, and larger than, and space in front of said first orifice;
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
plenum means surrounding and supported by the end of said first pipe means, including a circular wall coaxial with said first pipe to form an annular space and second orifice means coaxial with, and larger than, and space in front of said first orifice;
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
A flare of claim 2 wherein the pressure of said gas is at great enough to cause atomization of water.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
A flare of claim 2 wherein said means is located outside said flare stack tip and directed into said burning gas stream.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
72 words
second pipe means connected to said plenum for supplying water to said annular space; b. flare stack means; c. a plurality of said atomizers placed symmetrically around said flare stack at the tip thereof, and directed inwardly and upwardly over the top of said tip and into the flame of said burning gas; and d. means to conduct the gas to be flared up said flare stack and to ignite said gas.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
72 words
second pipe means connected to said plenum for supplying water to said annular space; b. flare stack means; c. a plurality of said atomizers placed symmetrically around said flare stack at the tip thereof, and directed inwardly and upwardly over the top of said tip and into the flame of said burning gas; and d. means to conduct the gas to be flared up said flare stack and to ignite said gas.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
A flare of claim 2 wherein said means is located inside said flare stack and directed into said burning gas stream.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
A flare of claim 5 wherein said means is directed downstream with said burning gas stream.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
43 words
A method of smokelessly flaring or burning a gas stream comprising the step of: directing particles of liquid water, of size less than 200 micron, into the flame of said burning gas stream and prior to the complete burning of said gas stream.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
43 words
A method of smokelessly flaring or burning a gas stream comprising the step of: directing particles of liquid water, of size less than 200 micron, into the flame of said burning gas stream and prior to the complete burning of said gas stream.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
A smokeless flare system for burning hydrocarbons having a hydrogen-to-carbon weight ratio of less than 0.25, comprising: a. atomizer means comprising:
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
A smokeless flare system for burning hydrocarbons having a hydrogen-to-carbon weight ratio of less than 0.25, comprising: a. atomizer means comprising:
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
29 words
The flare system as in claim 8 in which said flare stack means includes an inwardly flaring tip at the top thereof, a plurality of orifices in said tip.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
The flare system as in claim 8 in which said flare gas is also supplied to said first pipes, but at higher pressure.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
The flare system as in claim 8 including a plurality of pilot lights symmetrically placed around the top of said tip.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
The flare system as in claim 8 in which said atomizers are directed at an angle to the horizontal of 20* to 80*.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
34 words
The flare system as in claim 8 in which the pressure of said gas in said first pipe is great enough thaT the velocity of gas issuing from said first orifice is substantially sonic.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
34 words
The flare system as in claim 8 in which two sets of orifices are provided in said inwardly flaring tip, one set being directed radially inwardly at an angle of from 5* to 30*.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-06-03 | 1977-12-03 | 1978-06-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-06-03 | 1981-12-03 | 1982-06-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-06-03 | 1985-12-03 | 1986-06-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |