Air-Assisted Flares Systems

Air-assisted flares are generally used to dispose of heavier waste gases, which have a greater tendency to smoke. They’re designed with two risers (air and waste gas) and a blower system. The blower system directs supplemental combustion air into the air riser. Upon mixing at the flare tip, the added air flow creates turbulence in the waste gas stream, improving mixing, and ultimately combustion efficiency.

Gas-Assisted Flare Systems

Like air-assisted flares, gas-assist flares are also used to dispose of heavier waste gases, which have a greater tendency to smoke. Gas-assisted flares, however, are preferred in applications where electrical power is limited. They’re designed with two risers (waste gas and assist gas) and an assist-gas distribution ring at the tip that mixes combustion air with waste gas at the flare tip. The mixing creates increased turbulence in the waste gas stream.

Steam-Assisted Flare Systems

Steam-assist flares are designed to dispose of heavier hydrocarbon gases, which have a tendency to smoke. Using peripheral steam rings, center-stream spargers and/or inner induction tubes, they inject steam into the waste-gas stream, effectively preventing smoke formation.

Sonic Flare Systems

Fixed Orifice Sonic Flare Systems

Mach-1 sonic flares are used in both onshore and offshore applications to dispose of high-pressure waste-gas streams with high smokeless capacities. By mixing with a high volume of ambient air at sonic velocities at the flare tip, they generate more complete, smokeless combustion with lower radiation levels. They can be placed at lower, less visible elevations, allowing for a more cost-effective flaring solution and can also be used in multi-point orientations to accommodate flame length restrictions.

Sonic – Variable Exit Area Flare Systems

The VariMach sonic flare tip features spring-activated sonic nozzles that allow the exit area to flex with pressure, ensuring a constant sonic velocity of exiting waste gas. This industry-proven technology guarantees 100% smokeless combustion, infinite turndown, and minimized radiation levels throughout the entire range of flow, resulting in shorter stack heights and reduced material costs. The VariMach also has the lowest purge rate of any flare technology on the market, effectively minimizing utility costs while maintaining flashback protection.

Water Injected Sonic Flares

In offshore applications involving high-pressure streams of relatively heavy hydrocarbon gas, our water-injected sonic flares can ensure safe, efficient, smokeless flaring. By injecting high-pressure sea water into the flame envelope, they reduce flare emissions, minimize overall radiation levels from the flame, decrease combustion noise, and preserve flame characteristics, even in high winds.

Liquid Burner Flares Systems

Chimera Liquid Burner

In onshore applications that require the efficient destruction of liquid hydrocarbons, the Chimera liquid burner gets the job done without liquid fallout or smoke/soot formation. When oil is flared, the burner injects high-pressure air, gas, or steam to mechanically atomize the heavy hydrocarbons for proper and stable combustion.

Peacock Liquid Burner

In offshore applications that require the efficient destruction of liquid hydrocarbons, the Peacock liquid burner does so without liquid fallout or smoke/soot formation. Ideal for well-testing operations, it’s been used extensively by operators in the Gulf of Mexico and Arabian Gulf. When oil is flared, separate streams of high-pressure oil and air/gas are injected, effectively atomizing the heavy hydrocarbons and transforming the mixture into a fine mist as it exits the burner nozzle.

Multipoint Ground Flares

When ample real estate is available, multi-point ground flare (MPGF) systems are an economical approach to enclosed (hidden) and smokeless combustion of large amounts of process gas. By inducing gas through a large array of high-pressure burning points/burners, smokeless combustion can be achieved with high turndown, while concealing all radiation within the walls reducing exposure to personnel. MPGF systems provide smokeless capacity and no requirement for additional assist medium (gas/steam/air), involve no moving parts, and require minimal utilities since burners are designed to crosslight, reducing the number of pilots necessary. These types of systems are becoming more popular with facilities that do not want to have visible flaring present for both safety and community reasons.

Pit Flares

Pit flares are used to combust a mixture of vapor and liquid emanating from a single source. While most flares of this type emit smoke, Pit Flare can often operate smokelessly thanks to its non-combustible burn-pit lining of rock or refractory material, making it an especially ideal choice for environmentally conscious users.