Linear Coanda flare methods and apparatus

Abstract

Linear Coanda flare apparatus for burning pressurized waste flammable gas are disclosed. The flare apparatus basically comprises an elongated closed end pipe connected to a waste flammable gas supply pipe and having an elongated linear opening therein; and an elongated flammable gas distributor trough positioned adjacent to the elongated linear opening in the closed end pipe with the sides of the distributor trough being positioned adjacent to the outer curved surfaces of the closed end pipe thereby forming slots that discharge pressurized waste flammable gas from inside the closed end pipe over the outer curved surfaces of the closed end pipe.

1 . A linear Coanda flare apparatus for burning pressurized waste flammable gas comprising: 
 an elongated closed end pipe connected to a waste flammable gas supply pipe, the elongated closed end pipe having an elongated linear opening therein; and    an elongated flammable gas distributor trough positioned adjacent to the elongated linear opening in the closed end pipe with the sides of the distributor trough being positioned adjacent to the outer curved surfaces of the closed end pipe thereby forming slots that discharge pressurized waste flammable gas from inside the closed end pipe over the outer curved surfaces of the closed end pipe.    
   
   
       2 . The flare apparatus of  claim 1  which further comprises means for igniting the flammable gas.  
   
   
       3 . The flare apparatus of  claim 1  which further comprises a pilot light for igniting the flammable gas.  
   
   
       4 . The flare apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the elongated closed end pipe and distributor trough are positioned substantially horizontally.  
   
   
       5 . The flare apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the elongated closed end pipe and distributor trough are positioned at an angle.  
   
   
       6 . The flare apparatus of  claim 1  wherein two or more elongated closed end pipes with distributor troughs are connected to the waste flammable gas supply pipe.  
   
   
       7 . The flare apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the flammable gas distributor trough is attached to the closed end pipe by one or more spring assemblies so that the slots that discharge waste flammable gas increase or decrease in width when the pressure of the waste flammable gas increases or decreases.  
   
   
       8 . The flare apparatus of  claim 7  wherein the spring assemblies are attached to the bottom of the flammable gas distributor trough and to the closed end pipe.  
   
   
       9 . The flare apparatus of  claim 7  wherein the spring assemblies are attached to the inside of the closed end pipe and to the flammable gas distributor trough.  
   
   
       10 . The flare apparatus of  claim 7  wherein the spring assemblies are attached to the top of the closed end pipe and to the flammable gas distributor trough.  
   
   
       11 . The flare apparatus of  claim 7  which further comprises additional spring assemblies attached to the closed end pipe that exert pressure on the ends of the elongated flammable gas distributor trough to thereby prevent loss of the pressurized waste flammable gas through the ends of the distributor trough.  
   
   
       12 . A method of burning waste flammable gas comprising the steps of: 
 (a) conducting the waste flammable gas to a Coanda flare apparatus comprising a waste flammable gas supply pipe connected to an elongated closed end pipe having an elongated linear opening therein;    (b) discharging the waste flammable gas through the elongated linear opening into an elongated flammable gas distributor trough positioned adjacent to the elongated linear opening, the elongated sides of the distributor trough being positioned adjacent to the outer curved surfaces of the closed end pipe thereby forming elongated discharge slots;    (c) discharging the waste flammable gas through the elongated discharge slots over the curved surfaces of the closed end pipe; and    (d) igniting the waste flammable gas.    
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the elongated closed end pipe and the elongated flammable gas distributor trough are positioned substantially horizontally.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the elongated closed end pipe and distributor trough are positioned at an angle.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the waste flammable gas is conducted to two or more elongated closed end pipes having elongated linear openings therein and having elongated flammable gas distributor troughs attached thereto that form elongated discharge slots.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the flammable gas distributor trough is attached to the closed end pipe by one or more spring assemblies so that the slots that discharge waste flammable gas increase or decrease in width when the pressure of waste flammable gas increases or decreases.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the spring assemblies are attached to the bottom of the flammable gas distributor trough and to the closed end pipe.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the spring assemblies are attached to the inside of the closed end pipe and to the flammable gas distributor trough.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the spring assemblies are attached to the top of the closed end pipe and to the flammable gas distributor trough.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 12  which further comprises additional spring assemblies attached to the closed end pipe that exert pressure on the ends of the elongated flammable gas distributor trough to thereby prevent loss of the pressurized waste flammable gas through the ends of the distributor trough.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 12  wherein a small amount of a purge gas is flowed through the flare apparatus when waste flammable gas is not being flared to prevent the entry of air into the flare apparatus.