Flare stack

Abstract

A self erecting flare stack device includes a support chassis, a lower stack section, an upper stack section, a first pivotal connection between the support chassis and the lower stack section and a second pivotal connection between the lower stack section and the upper stack section, the first and second pivotal connections permitting the lower stack section and the upper stack section to move between a folded position on the support chassis and an erect position forming an erect flare stack mounted on the support chassis.

1 . A flare stack device including: a support chassis including transport means and a stack mounted on the support chassis, the stack including a lower stack section including a lower end and an upper end and an upper stack section including a top end and a bottom end, a first pivotal connection connecting the lower stack section to the support chassis and permitting the lower stack section to pivot relative to the support chassis and a second pivotal connection between the lower stack section and the upper stack section and permitting pivotal movement therebetween to move the upper and the lower stack sections between a folded position and an erect position creating a flare stack with the lower stack section in gas communication with the upper stack section.  
   
   
       2 . The flare stack device of  claim 1  further comprising a drive system to such that the flare stack is self-erecting.  
   
   
       3 . The flare stack device of  claim 2  wherein the drive system includes a lower hydraulic cylinder acting to drive the lower stack section about the first pivotal connection and an upper hydraulic cylinder to drive the upper stack section about the second pivotal connection.  
   
   
       4 . The flare stack device of  claim 1  wherein the support chassis includes a trailer.  
   
   
       5 . The flare stack device of  claim 1  further comprising outriggers extending to provide stabilization.  
   
   
       6 . The flare stack device of  claim 5  wherein the outriggers are adjustable independently to provide a self-leveling action.  
   
   
       7 . The flare stack device of  claim 1  wherein second pivotal connection includes a lower interface plate positioned at the upper end of lower stack section, an upper interface plate positioned at the bottom end of the upper stack section adjacent second pivotal connection and a hinge pivotally connect the upper and lower interface plates, the upper and lower interface plates and the hinge configured such that the upper and lower interface plates are folded together into facing contact when the flare stack is erected.  
   
   
       8 . The flare stack device of  claim 7  wherein at least one of the upper interface plate and the lower interface plate extends to secure an auxiliary line alongside its stack section.  
   
   
       9 . The flare stack device of  claim 7  further comprising a scissor link arrangement and a drive system to drive folding about the hinge.  
   
   
       10 . A self erecting flare stack device including a support chassis, a lower stack section, an upper stack section, a first pivotal connection between the support chassis and the lower stack section and a second pivotal connection between the lower stack section and the upper stack section, the first and second pivotal connections permitting the lower stack section and the upper stack section to move between a folded position on the support chassis and an erect position forming an erect flare stack mounted on the support chassis.  
   
   
       11 . The self erecting flare stack device of  claim 10  further comprising a drive system to such that the flare stack is self-erecting.  
   
   
       12 . The self erecting flare stack device of  claim 11  wherein the drive system includes a lower hydraulic cylinder acting to drive the lower stack section about the first pivotal connection and an upper hydraulic cylinder to drive the upper stack section about the second pivotal connection.  
   
   
       13 . The self erecting flare stack device of  claim 10  wherein the support chassis includes a trailer.  
   
   
       14 . The self erecting flare stack device of  claim 10  further comprising outriggers extending to provide stabilization.  
   
   
       15 . The self erecting flare stack device of  claim 14  wherein the outriggers are adjustable independently to provide a self-leveling action.  
   
   
       16 . The self erecting flare stack device of  claim 14  wherein the outriggers provide stabilization without the use of guy wires at an erected height of greater than 75 feet.  
   
   
       17 . The self erecting flare stack device of  claim 10  wherein the second pivotal connection includes a lower interface plate positioned at the upper end of lower stack section, an upper interface plate positioned at the bottom end of the upper stack section adjacent second pivotal connection and a hinge pivotally connect the upper and lower interface plates, the upper and lower interface plates and the hinge configured such that the upper and lower interface plates are folded together into facing contact when the flare stack is erected.  
   
   
       18 . The self erecting flare stack device of  claim 17  wherein at least one of the upper interface plate and the lower interface plate extends to secure an auxiliary line alongside its stack section.  
   
   
       19 . The self erecting flare stack device of  claim 17  further comprising a scissor link arrangement and a drive system to drive folding about the hinge.  
   
   
       20 . The self erecting flare stack device of  claim 19  wherein the scissor link arrangement includes a first link and a second link each including a first end, a main pivotal connection between the first link and the second link at their first ends, the first link pivotally connected to the lower stack section and the second link pivotally connected to the upper stack section and wherein the drive system is connected to the scissor link arrangement to displace the main pivotal connection to drive the first link and the second link about their pivotal connections to, in turn, drive the upper stack section and the lower stack section about the hinge.