Burner Nozzle Segmentation and Intermediary Cooling for Seal Integrity
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Well test burner systems face issues with seal failure due to radiant heat from adjacent nozzles, leading to operational inefficiencies and safety concerns.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a movable piston within the burner nozzle that allows for an air/well product mixture to be generated and then stopped, with a metered air leak path to cool the nozzle and atomize residual product, preventing drips and mitigating thermal energy effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If burner nozzles are selectively capped to reduce flow rate, then the well test burner system can operate over a wide range of flow rates, but the capped nozzles are exposed to radiant heat from adjacent nozzles which can result in seal failure
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle system is divided into multiple independent nozzles that can be selectively activated or capped. Each nozzle operates independently, allowing the system to adapt to different flow rates by activating only the necessary number of nozzles, while reducing thermal exposure to capped nozzles through strategic arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
A baffle or heat shield structure is introduced as an intermediary element between adjacent nozzles. This intermediate structure blocks radiant heat from reaching the capped nozzles and seals, allowing the system to maintain seal integrity even when nozzles are capped for flow rate adjustment.
2Temperature
If large amounts of air and oil flow through un-capped nozzles to remove thermal energy, then the nozzles remain cool, but radiant heat from the flame can still cause seal failure in capped nozzles
Solution Approach 1:
A baffle or heat shield is positioned between the flame discharge area and the capped nozzles. This intermediate structure intercepts radiant heat before it reaches the seals of capped nozzles, protecting them from thermal damage while allowing the un-capped nozzles to continue their cooling function.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes the cooling effect of air and oil flow through un-capped nozzles as a beneficial feature, while simultaneously protecting capped nozzles from radiant heat. The thermal management strategy converts the potential harm of radiant heat into a controlled thermal environment where active nozzles remain cool and capped nozzles are protected.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple burner nozzles are used to handle varying flow rates, then the system can adapt to different production rates, but the system complexity increases with multiple nozzles and capping mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The burner system is segmented into multiple standardized nozzle units that can be independently activated or capped. Each nozzle is a modular component with consistent design, allowing for simple addition or removal of nozzles to match flow rate requirements without increasing individual nozzle complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Each nozzle unit is designed as a universal component that can function in different configurations. The same nozzle design serves both as an active burning nozzle and as a capped nozzle for thermal protection, eliminating the need for different types of nozzles and simplifying the overall system.
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
This solution improves safety, reduces operational costs, and minimizes environmental impact by preventing seal failure and ensuring efficient burning of well products.
Implementation Method 1
As the air flows through the leak path, thermal energy may be drawn away from the burner nozzle, thereby mitigating any adverse effects of radiant thermal energy emitted by adjacent burner nozzles
Implementation Method 2
a piston movable between an open position, where air and a well product are able to enter an atomizing chamber defined in the nozzle to generate an air/well product mixture, and a closed position, where the piston moves to stop a flow of the well product
Implementation Method 3
air and a well product are able to enter an atomizing chamber defined in the nozzle to generate an air/well product mixture
Implementation Method 4
burner nozzles that allow the well test burner system to operate over a wide range of flow rates... the un-capped burner nozzles have large amounts of air and oil flowing through them, which serves to remove thermal energy and thereby keeps them cool. The capped nozzles, however, are exposed to radiant heat emitted from the flame discharged from the un-capped nozzles
Data Source
AI summary
A burner nozzle assembly includes a plurality of burner nozzles. Each burner nozzle includes an outer housing and a nozzle receivable within the outer housing. An air inlet conveys air into a first burner nozzle of the plurality of burner nozzles and a well product inlet conveys a well product into the first burner nozzle. An air transfer conduit interposes and fluidly couples the outer housing of adjacent burner nozzles and transfers the air from the first burner nozzle to subsequent burner nozzles of the plurality of burner nozzles, and a well product transfer conduit interposes and fluidly couples the outer housing of adjacent burner nozzles and transfers the well product from the first burner nozzle to subsequent burner nozzles.