Oil and Gas Process Equipment Burner Emission Prevention Device

Abstract

An electronically controlled burner management system for oilfield process equipment. The system includes a vessel fluid temperature sensor and electronic valve for interruption of main burner fuel flow. When process equipment is retrofitted with this system total gas production is increased, reduces fugitive emissions of unburned gas, and reduces hazards. The system integrates with existing pneumatic thermostatic control, making it easy to control and can be bypassed in the event of failure.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for managing a process equipment's burner system, the system comprising:
 a temperature sensor;   a controller;   a fixture for said controller and temperature sensor;   and an electronic valve.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said electronic valve is bypassable. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2  wherein said electronic valve is a three-way venting latching solenoid valve. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said fixture is magnetic. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 3  wherein said fixture uses a compressible seal surrounding the temperature sensor. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a pressure sensor configured to measure pressure supplied from a pneumatic thermostat to a pressure open valve configured to control a main burner. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1  comprising a second electronic valve configured to control fuel to a pilot burner. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7  wherein said second electronic valve is bypassable. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising an ignition element installed on the pilot burner. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9  further comprising a high voltage module wired to said ignition element. 
     
     
         11 . A method of installing a burner control system on a piece of process equipment, the method comprising:
 installing a controller;   installing an electronic valve between the pneumatic thermostat and a pressure open valve configured for control of a main burner;   and installing a temperature sensor for measurement of vessel contained fluids;   wherein the method is performed without removing a pneumatic thermostat configured to measure a temperature within the process equipment and flame sensor is not installed.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  comprising installing an electronic valve configured for control of fuel to a pilot burner. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11  comprising installing a pressure sensor between the pneumatic thermostat and the pressure open valve. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 14  comprising supplying power to the claimed system when pressure sensor is activated. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11  comprising mounting controller and temperature sensor with a magnetic fixture.