Combustion – Structural installation
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-02
2001-05-01
Yeung, James C. (Department: 3743)
Combustion
Structural installation
C431S005000, C431S009000, C431S116000, C431S171000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06224369
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a device and method for burning vented fuel from oil wells and the like. More particularly, the present invention relates to a device and method having a deflection shield disposed in a linear, direct exhaust gas path between a manifold burner and an exhaust gas outlet of a combustion chamber for preventing the direct, linear escape of heat from the combustion chamber through the exhaust gas outlet.
2. Prior Art
Fuel production wells, such as crude oil wells and natural gas wells, typically extract a mixture of oil, water, and condensate from a well head. The mixture is piped to a separator system which separates the oil, water and condensate. The oil, water, and condensate are then piped to separate storage tanks. Vapors or vented fuel is created by the oil, water, and condensate as they are stored in the tanks. The vapors are not considered useful because any fuel contained in the vapors is not easily recoverable. Thus, these vapors are typically either vented to the atmosphere, or piped to a flare and burned.
One disadvantage of venting the unwanted vapors into the atmosphere is the pollution caused by such vapors. In addition, the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) requires that the wells comply with certain requirements. The regulations annually reduce the amount of vapor that may be emitted into the atmosphere. It is generally considered that any wells producing over 3 barrels of condensate must dispose of the unwanted vapors without venting them to the atmosphere in order to comply with DEQ requirements.
As indicated above, another method of disposing of the unwanted fuels is to burn them off with an open flame. Such systems usually have an open pipe with a circular burner. A refractory substance is disposed in the pipe to retain heat. One disadvantage of flaring-off the vented fuels is that the flare is not efficient, and may actually produce more harmful pollution than simply venting the vapors to the atmosphere. Such flares may be only 60 to 65% efficient. Such inefficient burning may create harmful anti-oxidants.
Another method for dealing with the vented fuel utilizes a recovery system to recover usable fuel from the vapor. Such recovery systems take the vapors from the separators and tanks and compress them for reuse. One disadvantage with the recovery systems is that they are relatively expensive.
Therefore, it would be advantageous to develop a device and method capable of efficiently and properly disposing of unwanted vapors or vented fuels. It also would be advantageous to develop such a device and method which are inexpensive to manufacture and operate.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a device and method for efficiently and properly combusting vented fuels.
It is another object of the present invention to provide such a device and method which are simple and inexpensive to manufacture and operate.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention are realized in a burner device for burning vented fuels. The burner device has a housing defining and substantially enclosing a combustion chamber. The housing has an air inlet configured for allowing air into the combustion chamber; a vented fuel inlet configured for allowing vented fuel into the combustion chamber; and an exhaust gas outlet configured for allowing exhaust gases out of the combustion chamber.
A manifold burner is coupled to the vented fuel inlet and disposed in the combustion chamber for conveying the vented fuel into the combustion chamber. An ignition device, such as a pilot burner, may be disposed in the chamber for igniting the vented fuel as the vented fuel enters the combustion chamber. The manifold burner and exhaust gas outlet define a direct exhaust gas path extending linearly from the manifold burner to the exhaust gas outlet.
A deflection shield advantageously is disposed in the direct exhaust gas path for substantially deflecting exhaust gases and heat produced by the combustion of vented fuel away from the exhaust gas outlet. The deflection shield is sized at least as large as the approximate size of the exhaust gas outlet. The deflection shield is displaced from the exhaust gas outlet to create a gap for allowing exhaust gases to escape the combustion chamber along a nonlinear path. Thus, the exhaust gas and heat produced by the combustion of vented gas is prevented from flowing directly out of the combustion chamber along the direct exhaust path.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the deflection shield has a surface with a concave curvature facing the combustion chamber. The concave curvature helps recirculate the exhaust gases back to the manifold.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a grating is disposed in the housing below the manifold burner, and divides the housing into two portions including the combustion chamber and a plenum. It is believed that the grating helps cause turbulent flow and assist combustion.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the housing walls include angled walls tapering towards the exhaust opening for funneling exhaust gas towards the exhaust opening.
A method of using the burner device described above for burning vented fuels includes:
a) providing a substantially enclosed combustion chamber having an air inlet, a vented fuel inlet, and an exhaust gas outlet;
b) providing a manifold burner in the combustion chamber and having a passage and outlets for introducing the vented fuel into the combustion chamber, the manifold burner and exhaust outlet defining a direct exhaust gas path extending linearly from the manifold burner to the exhaust outlet;
c) introducing air into the chamber through the air inlet;
d) introducing the vented fuel into the chamber through the outlets in the manifold burner;
e) igniting the vented fuel and combusting the vented fuel; and
f) obstructing the direct exhaust gas path with a deflection shield which is spaced from the exhaust opening for preventing the direct, linear escape of heat and exhaust gas produced at the manifold burner by the combustion of the vented fuel.
In accordance with one aspect of the above method a deflection shield is provided with a curved surface facing the manifold burner.
These and other objects, features, advantages and alternative aspects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from a consideration of the following detailed description taken in combination with the accompanying drawings.
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Cocks Josiah C.
Thorpe North & Western LLP
Yeung James C.
LandOfFree
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