Apparatus for igniting combustible mediums

Abstract

An apparatus for initiating ignition of a combustible material, the apparatus including an igniter assembly having a support, a catalytic material carried by the support, the catalytic material comprising a substance which reacts with a hydrogen-containing gas in the presence of an oxidizing gas to produce an exothermic reaction and a temperature sufficient to cause auto ignition of the hydrogen containing gas, a source of hydrogen-containing gas and a source of oxidizing gas.

1 . An apparatus for igniting a combustible medium in a tubular member in an earth borehole in a subterranean formation comprising: 
 an igniter assembly, said igniter assembly comprising: 
 a support;  
 a catalytic material carried by said support, said catalytic material comprising a substance which reacts with a hydrogen-containing gas in the presence of an oxidizing gas to produce an exothermic reaction and a temperature sufficient to cause auto ignition of said hydrogen-containing gas;  
 a source of said hydrogen-containing gas; and  
 a source of said oxidizing gas; and  
   a tubular member disposable in said borehole, said igniter assembly being positioned in said tubular member.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said igniter assembly comprises an elongate tubular housing having a first end and a second end, said catalytic material being disposed in said tubular housing, said hydrogen-containing gas and said oxidizing gas being introduced into said first end of said housing, said hydrogen-containing gas being introduced under pressure into said tubular housing.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein said catalytic material is in the form of a tube disposed in said tubular housing.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein said tube of catalytic material comprises a platinum group metal carried on a metallic foam structure.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein said source of hydrogen-containing gas comprises a feed tube, said feed tube having an end opening axially displaced from said tube of catalytic material and there is a Venturi-type tube attached to said tubular housing and facing said end opening of said feed tube.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said source of air comprises ambient air.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said source of air comprises forced air.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein there are a plurality of igniter assemblies positioned in said tubular member and staggered there along, each of said igniter assemblies being associated with a burner.  
   
   
       9 . An apparatus for igniting a combustible medium issuing from an opening in a flare stack comprising: 
 an igniter assembly, said igniter assembly comprising: 
 a support;  
 a catalytic material carried by said support, said catalytic material comprising a substance which reacts with a hydrogen-containing gas in the presence of an oxidizing gas to produce an exothermic reaction and a temperature sufficient to cause auto ignition of hydrogen-containing gas;  
 a source of said hydrogen-containing gas; and  
 a source of said oxidizing gas; and  
   a mount for positioning said igniter assembly adjacent said opening in said flare stack.    
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein said igniter assembly comprises an elongate tubular housing having a first end and a second end, said catalytic material being disposed in said tubular housing, said hydrogen-containing gas and said oxidizing gas being introduced into said first end of said housing, said hydrogen-containing gas being introduced under pressure into said tubular housing.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein said catalytic material is in the form of a tube.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein said tube of catalytic material comprises a platinum group metal carried on a metallic foam structure.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein said source of hydrogen-containing gas comprises a feed tube, said feed tube having an end opening axially displaced from said tube of catalytic material and there is a Venturi-type tube attached to said tubular housing and facing said end opening of said feed tube.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein said source of air comprises ambient air.  
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein said source of air comprises forced air.  
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein said mount comprises a bracket.  
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of any of claims  1  or  16 , wherein said igniter assembly comprises an elongate tubular housing, said catalytic material being disposed in said tubular housing, said hydrogen-containing gas being introduced under pressure into said tubular housing at a pressure of between  0 . 1  and  3  psi.  
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein said catalytic material is in the form of a tube.  
   
   
       19 . An igniter assembly comprising: 
 a tubular housing having a first end and a second end;    a catalytic material disposed in said tubular housing,i said catalytic material comprising a substance which reacts with a hydrogen-containing gas in the presence of an oxidizing gas to produce an exothermic reaction and a temperature sufficient to cause auto ignition of the hydrogen in said hydrogen-containing gas;    a source of hydrogen-containing gas, said source of hydrogen-containing gas comprising a tubular section for introducing said hydrogen-containing gas into said first end of said tubular housing; and    a source of oxidizing gas for admixing with said hydrogen-containing gas.    
   
   
       20 . The igniter assembly of  claim 19 , wherein said catalytic material is in the form of a tube disposed in said tubular housing.