Flare Tip Segmentation for Smokeless Combustion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steam-assisted flare apparatuses produce excessive noise and require high amounts of steam to achieve smokeless burning of combustible gases, leading to increased costs and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A flare apparatus with a plurality of flare tip units, each featuring an annular gas passage and a premix zone where combustible gas mixes with a steam-air mixture before exiting, utilizing a single steam source to reduce steam consumption and noise levels, with a design that allows for efficient combustion with less steam and lower noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If steam is used as motive force to move combustion air in flare apparatus, then smokeless burning is achieved, but excessive noise is produced
Solution Approach 1:
The flare tip is divided into multiple flare tip units (e.g., six units) arranged around a central axis, with each unit having its own annular gas passage and steam injection system. This segmentation distributes the steam injection and combustion processes across multiple smaller units, reducing the noise from each individual unit while maintaining effective smokeless burning.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner member is disposed within the outer member, creating a nested structure where the annular gas passage is formed between them. The inner member outlet is positioned within the outer member, and the premix zone is contained within the outer member volume. This nested arrangement allows compact design while enabling effective steam-air-gas mixing and noise reduction.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If high amounts of steam are used to achieve smokeless burning, then combustion air supply is improved, but operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple flare tip units share a common steam source, allowing the steam supply system to be merged and optimized. The steam is distributed to multiple injection points in the annular gas passages, improving mixing efficiency and reducing total steam consumption compared to separate steam systems for each tip unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The design introduces a premix zone where steam, air, and combustible gas mix before combustion in a three-dimensional space within the outer member. This spatial arrangement optimizes the mixing process and combustion efficiency, reducing steam requirements while maintaining smokeless burning.
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 apparatus achieves smokeless burning with reduced steam usage and lower noise levels, enhancing efficiency and reducing operational costs by utilizing a single steam source and optimizing the mixing of gases within the annular passage.
Implementation Method 1
An air/steam and combustible gas mixture passes through the inner member outlet into the outer member where the combustible gas mixes with at least air in the outer member
Implementation Method 2
steam is commonly used as a motive force to move air in a flare apparatus
Implementation Method 3
the steam/air and gas mixture is ignited
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~7
AI summary
A flare apparatus for burning combustible gases. A flare tip unit comprises an inner member and an outer member defining an annulus therebetween. The annulus defines an annular gas passage through which combustible gas passes. Air moved by a motive force, preferably steam, passes through the inner member and a steam/air mixture exits an outlet of the inner member. The combustible gas and an air/steam mixture mixes in a premix zone between the inner member outlet and the exit opening of the outer member. The combustible gas/air/steam mixture is ignited for burning in the atmosphere above the exit opening. The flare apparatus may include a plurality of flare tip units.