Hot surface ignition assembly for use in pilots for flaring, incineration, and process burners

Abstract

An ignition assembly for use in pilots for flaring, incineration, and process burner applications, includes a hot surface igniter assembly specifically located in the pilot head or combustion chamber of a flame front ignition system for providing a pilot ignition source. The pilot head is positioned proximally to the exhaust exit of a flare gas stack. The hot surface ignition assembly is positioned proximally to the pilot head. The hot surface ignition assembly passes electric current through a ceramic-insulated element in order to produce heat by induction sufficient to ignite said pilot gas. A thermocouple, or other form of flame sensor, is provided for detecting and a sensing the existence of pilot flame and for controlling the ignition sequence.

1 . Apparatus for igniting waste gases flowing from an exhaust exit of a flare gas stack comprising:
 a pilot head positioned proximally to said exhaust exit, wherein combustible pilot gas flows through said pilot head;   a hot surface ignition assembly positioned proximally to said pilot head, wherein said hot surface assembly passes electric current through a ceramic-insulated element in order to produce heat by induction sufficient to ignite said pilot gas.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said hot surface ignition assembly operates at or above 2,100° F. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said combustible pilot gas is a different composition than the gas flowing through said flare gas stack. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said combustible pilot gas is the same composition as the gas flowing through said flare gas stack. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein a thermocouple is positioned proximally to said pilot head, said thermocouple being able to sense heat from combusting pilot gas and, upon sensing said heat, reducing or eliminating said electric current. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein said thermocouple is able to sense the absence of heat from combusting pilot gas and, upon sensing said absence of heat, passing said electric current through said ceramic-insulated element. 
     
     
         7 . A method for igniting waste gases flowing from an exhaust exit of a flare gas stack comprising:
 positioning a pilot head proximally to said exhaust exit, wherein combustible pilot gas flows through said pilot head;   positioning a hot surface ignition assembly proximally to said pilot head, wherein said hot surface assembly passes electric current through a ceramic-insulated element in order to produce heat by induction;   igniting said pilot gas with said heat.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein said hot surface ignition assembly operates at or above 2,100° F. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7  wherein said combustible pilot gas is a different composition than the gas flowing through said flare gas stack. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7  wherein said combustible pilot gas is the same composition as the gas flowing through said flare gas stack. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7  wherein a thermocouple is positioned proximally to said pilot head, said thermocouple being able to sense heat from combusting pilot gas and, upon sensing said heat, reducing or eliminating said electric current. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein said thermocouple is able to sense the absence of heat from combusting pilot gas and, upon sensing said absence of heat, passing said electric current through said ceramic-insulated element.