Smokeless gas flare with specific gravity gas analyzer for reduction of noise

Abstract

A method and at least one gas flare for carrying out or practicing the method are disclosed for smokeless burning of undesired gas. Combined with a steam aspirating gas flare having a steam flow controller responsive to a gas flow detector to provide a combustible material is a specific gravity analyzer for controlling the steam flow controller further in relation to the specific gravity of the gas to be burned for providing a smokeless air-to-gas burning mixture in the flare with less steam usage and reduced noise.

We claim: 
     
       1. A method for smokelessly burning gas with less noise in a steam aspirating flare having means for controlling the amount of steam to the flare for controlling the amount of air drawn in for mixing with the gas for burning, comprising the steps of, a. determining the specific gravity of the gas being burned .Iadd.with a torque type specific gravity analyzer.Iaddend., and   b. varying the amount of steam to the flare relative to the specific gravity of the gas to be burned .Iadd.by means including a ratio station means receiving a signal from said torque type specific gravity analyzer .Iaddend.for providing a .Iadd.conditioned .Iaddend.smokeless air-to-gas burning mixture in the flare with less steam usage and reduced noise.   
     
     
       2. A method as recited in claim 1 including the additional steps of, A. varying the amount of steam relative to the amount of gas flowing to the flare.[., and.]. .Iadd.with variable ratio controller means .Iaddend.   .[.b. varying the first amount of steam to a second amount of steam relative to the specific gravity of the gas to be burned.]. for providing .[.a.]. .Iadd.the .Iaddend.smokeless air-to-gas burning mixture in the flare with less steam usage and reduced noise.   
     
     
       3. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein the second step comprises further, a. determining the amount of steam required to maintain a desired steam-to-gas ratio for the flare for the particular amount of gas flow, and   b. multiplying .Iadd.with said ratio station means .Iaddend.the amount of steam supplied by a factor relative to the specific gravity of the gas for providing the smokeless air-to-gas burning mixture in the flare with less noise. .[.4. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein the second step comprises further,   a. determining the amount of steam required to maintain a desired steam-to-gas ratio for the flare gas flow, and   b. varying the steam-to-gas ratio relatively to the specific gravity for providing a smokeless air-to-gas burning mixture in the flare with less   
     
     
        noise..]. 5. A method for smokelessly burning gas with less noise in a high pressure gas aspirating flare having means for controlling the amount of high pressure gas to the aspirating flare for controlling the amount of air drawn in for mixing with the gas to be burned, comprising the steps of, a. determining the specific gravity of the gas to be burned .Iadd.with a torque type specific gravity analyzer.Iaddend., and   b. varying .Iadd.with a ratio varying means .Iaddend.the amount of .[.high pressure.]. aspirating gas to the flare relative to .[.the specific gravity of the gas to be burned.]. .Iadd.a signal from said torque type specific gravity analyzer .Iaddend.for providing a .Iadd.conditioned .Iaddend.smokeless air-to-gas burning mixture in the flare with less high   
     
     
        pressure gas usage and reduced noise. 6. A method for smokelessly burning gas with less noise in a steam aspirating flare having means for controlling the steam-to-gas ratio in the flare comprising the steps of, a. determining a first steam-to-gas ratio relative to the amount of gas flow to the flare,   b. determining the specific gravity of the gas to be burned .Iadd.with a torque type specific gravity analyzer.Iaddend., and   c. varying .Iadd.with variable ratio controller means .Iaddend.the first steam-to-gas ratio relative to the specific gravity of the gas .Iadd.as indicated by a signal from said torque type specific gravity analyzer .Iaddend.to provide a .Iadd.conditioned .Iaddend.smokeless air-to-gas burning mixture in the flare with less steam usage and reduced noise.   
     
     
        .[.    A method as recited in claim 6 wherein the last step comprises further, a. varying the amount of steam in the steam-to-gas ratio in relation to the specific gravity of the gas to be burned..]. .[.8. A method as recited in claim 6 wherein the last step comprises further,   a. varying the amount of steam in the steam-to-gas ratio in proportion to the specific gravity of the gas to be burned..]. .[.9. A method as recited in claim 6 wherein the last step comprises further,   a. varying the amount of steam in the steam-to-gas ratio in substantially   
     
     
        direct proportion to the specific gravity of the gas to be burned..]. 10. A steam aspirating gas flare for smokeless burning with less noise of undesired gas comprising, a. .Iadd.torque type .Iaddend.specific gravity analyzer means for determining the specific gravity of the gas to be burned,   b. steam flow controller means .Iadd.responsive to a variable ratio controller .Iaddend.for controlling the steam-to-gas mixture supplied to the flare, and   c. said steam flow controller means .Iadd.being .Iaddend.responsive to said .Iadd.torque type .Iaddend.specific gravity analyzer means .Iadd.and said variable ratio controller .Iaddend.for varying the steam relative to the specific gravity of the gas to be burned for providing a .Iadd.conditioned .Iaddend.smokeless air-to-gas burning mixture in the flare with less steam usage and reduced noise. .[.11. A flare as recited in claim 10 wherein,   a. said specific gravity analyzer means comprises means for continuously analyzing the gas prior to being supplied to the flare for burning..].   
     
     
            A flare as recited in claim 10 wherein the gas is supplied to the flare through a main line and wherein, a. said specific gravity analyzer means comprises a .Iadd.torque type .Iaddend.specific gravity analyzer connected to the main line for continuously circulating the gas from the main line, through the .Iadd.torque type .Iaddend.specific gravity analyzer.[., and back to the main line for continuous analyzing of the gas prior to being burned in the   
     
     
        flare.].. 13. A .[.flare as recited in claim 10 including further, .]. .Iadd.steam aspirating gas flare for smokeless burning with less noise of undesired gas comprising, 
     
     
       (a) torque type specific gravity analyzer means for determining the specific gravity of the gas to be burned, 
     
     
       (b) steam flow controller means including ratio varying means, 
     
     
       .[.a..]. (.Iadd.c) said .Iaddend.ratio varying means for varying the steam-to-gas mixture output of said steam flow controller, and 
     
     
       .[.b..]. (.Iadd.d.Iaddend.) said ratio varying means being responsive to said gas .Iadd.torque type .Iaddend.specific gravity analyzer means for controlling said steam flow controller means for controlling the steam-to-gas mixture relative to the specific gravity of the gas being burned .Iadd.for providing a conditioned smokeless air-to-gas burning mixture in the flare with less steam usage and reduced noise.Iaddend.. .[.14. A flare as recited in claim 10 wherein, a. said steam flow controller means has a first output steam-to-gas mixture ratio relative to the amount of gas flow to the flare, and   b. said steam flow controller means is responsive to said specific gravity analyzer means for varying said first output by varying the steam relative to the specific gravity of the gas to be burned..]. .[.15. A flare as recited in claim 10 wherein,   a. said steam flow controller means has a steam output relative to the amount of gas flow to the flare, and   b. said steam flow controller means is responsive to said specific gravity analyzer means for further varying said first output relative to the   
     
     
        specific gravity of the gas to be burned..]. .[.16.  A flare as recited in claim 15 wherein, a. said steam flow controller means is responsive to said specific gravity analyzer means for varying said first output in proportion to the specific gravity of the gas to be burned..]. .[.17. A flare as recited in claim 15 wherein,   a. said steam flow controller means is responsive to said specific gravity analyzer means for varying said first output in direct proportion to the   
     
     
        specific gravity of the gas to be burned..]. 18. A .[.flare as recited in claim 15 wherein.]. .Iadd.steam aspirating gas flare for smokeless burning with less noise of undesired gas comprising.Iaddend., (.Iadd.a) torque type specific gravity analyzer means for determining the specific gravity of the gas to be burned,   (b) steam flow controller means responsive to a variable ratio controller for controlling the steam-to-gas mixture supplied to the flare,   (c) said steam flow controller means being responsive to said torque type specific gravity analyzer means and said variable ratio controller means for varying the steam relative to the gas to be burned for providing a conditioned smokeless air-to-gas burning mixture in the flare with less steam usage and reduced noise,   (d) said steam flow controller means has a first steam output relative to the amount of gas flow to the flare,   (e) said steam flow controller means being responsive to said torque type specific gravity analyzer means and said variable ratio controller means and a means for further varying said steam relative to the specific gravity of the gas to be burned,.Iaddend.   .[.a..]. (.Iadd.f) .Iaddend.said flare has steam multiplier means, and .[.b..]. (.Iadd.g) .Iaddend.said steam flow controller means .[.is.]. .Iadd.being .Iaddend.responsive to said steam multiplier means for multiplying the steam first output by a factor relative to the specific   
     
     
        gravity of the gas to be burned. 19. A steam aspirating gas flare for burning undesired gas having a steam flow controller comprising, a. a main gas line connected to the flare,   b. a .Iadd.torque type .Iaddend.specific gravity analyzer connected to said main gas line having a.[.n.]. .Iadd.conditioned .Iaddend.output,   c. a gas flow detector connected between said main gas line and a steam flow controller having an output signal for controlling the steam flow relative to the gas flow,   d. a variable ratio controller connected between said gas flow detector and the steam flow controller, and   e. said variable ratio controller being responsive to said .Iadd.torque type .Iaddend.specific gravity analyzer output for modifying said gas flow detector control signal to said steam flow controller for ensuring smokeless burning of the undesired gas with less steam usage and reduced   
     
     
        noise. 20. A flare as recited in claim 19 wherein, a. said variable ratio controller multiplies said gas flow detector output by the .Iadd.torque type .Iaddend.specific gravity analyzer .Iadd.conditioned .Iaddend.output for ensuring smokeless burning of the undesired gas with less noise.