Asymmetrical Flare Tip for Thermal Radiation Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional flare burners for combustible waste gases require large ground space, produce high flames that necessitate expensive radiation fences, are complex and costly to assemble, noisy, and can cause thermal radiation damage to ancillary equipment due to inefficient air-fuel mixing and flame merging in multi-burner setups.
Innovation Solution
A flare burner design featuring a manifold with asymmetrical fuel gas distribution and an offset riser, which disperses fuel gas to direct a substantial portion of thermal radiation away from ancillary equipment, incorporates a unique outlet configuration to enhance air-fuel mixing, and uses a single-piece construction with no welds to reduce complexity and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional flare burners are used, then combustible waste gases can be disposed of, but thermal radiation damages ancillary equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The flare burner employs an asymmetrical tip geometry where the fuel gas discharge outlets are non-uniformly distributed. The asymmetrical configuration directs the flame and thermal radiation away from ancillary equipment while maintaining effective combustion. Specifically, the tip has a first portion facing away from equipment with greater fuel discharge capacity and a second portion facing equipment with reduced fuel discharge, creating an asymmetrical radiation pattern that protects surrounding equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The flare burner applies local quality by creating zones of different fuel gas discharge characteristics within the tip structure. The tip is divided into regions with different outlet densities and discharge capacities - a high-discharge region oriented away from equipment and a low-discharge region oriented toward equipment. This local differentiation allows the flame to be shaped in a way that concentrates thermal radiation in safe directions while maintaining overall combustion effectiveness.
2Productivity
If multiple flare burners are used to increase capacity, then more waste gas can be disposed of, but ground space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges multiple fuel gas discharge outlets into a single integrated asymmetrical tip structure. Instead of using multiple separate burners that would require significant ground space, the patent combines the functionality of multiple outlets into one compact assembly with a unified manifold and tip structure. This consolidation achieves high waste gas disposal capacity while minimizing the ground footprint to approximately 10-20 square feet.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a horizontal arrangement of multiple burners occupying ground space to a vertical, three-dimensional asymmetrical tip structure. The fuel outlets are distributed in three-dimensional space around the tip perimeter, with different orientations and discharge characteristics. This dimensional reorganization allows multiple discharge functions to be packed into a compact vertical structure rather than requiring horizontal expansion.
3Productivity
If larger flare burners are used to handle high flow, then more waste gas can be disposed of, but flame height increases requiring higher fences
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the fuel gas discharge into multiple small outlets distributed around the tip perimeter rather than using a single large discharge point. The tip includes numerous individual outlets (e.g., 8-16 outlets) arranged in a segmented pattern around the circumference. This segmentation creates multiple smaller flame zones that combine to handle high waste gas flows while keeping individual flame heights controlled and contained within the existing fence structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The asymmetrical distribution of outlets and varying discharge capacities create an uneven flame structure that directs the majority of the flame energy and height away from the equipment side. The asymmetrical configuration allows the flame to be shaped with greater height on the away-side portion while maintaining lower height on the equipment-facing portion, effectively managing overall flame profile without increasing fence requirements.
4Productivity
If complex piping and multiple valves are used in large flare burner areas, then high flow capacity is achieved, but capital cost and assembly complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges multiple valve functions and piping control mechanisms into a single integrated manifold assembly. The manifold incorporates all fuel gas distribution channels, outlet configurations, and control valve locations within one compact structure. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate piping runs and individual valves for each burner, reducing both the number of components and the complexity of assembly while maintaining the capacity to handle high waste gas flows through the asymmetrical tip design.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design achieves a shorter, more manageable flame, reduces the number of burners and radiation fence height, decreases noise, and minimizes thermal radiation exposure to equipment, while maintaining high vent gas destruction efficiency and smokeless operation.
Implementation Method 1
a flare burner having a tip which reduces the exposure of ancillary equipment to thermal radiation
Implementation Method 2
As gases exit the flare burners, the gases mix with the oxygen and combust (via the flame from the pilot)
Implementation Method 3
the outlets are arranged such that air-fuel mixing is enhanced
Data Source
AI summary
A flare burner for burning combustible waste gases with a manifold, at least two arms, and a plurality of outlets disposed on the plurality of arms. The arms may be perpendicular to the manifold. The arms may also extend outwardly from the manifold. The arms may extend into annuli, to produce oppositely flowing exit gas. A curved dispersing surface may be disposed above the manifold. The arms may comprise a curvilinear shape or include both a linear and a curvilinear portion. The arms are unequal in length and may curve in an opposite direction from each other. The outlets are configured and spaced such that flame is short relative to size of the flare burner.