New Spray Nozzles Enhance Oil Burning Efficiency During Natural Gas Production Process
 Nozzles Also Used to Create Safety Water Curtain
Petrochemical processors, drilling for natural gas in off-shore coastal waters, need to provide a safe means for transporting or disposing of the oil that is a by-product of production. To cope with gas surges or upset conditions, they utilize flares to burn off the excess oil to protect the platform and workers. Up to 5,000 barrels of oil are burned each day from each flare when operating.
PROBLEM: This company designs and installs the flares that are used on natural gas production platforms. For years, they have machined nozzles in their own shop to atomize the excess oil for efficient burning. The nozzles are attached to a six-foot (1.8 m) diameter ring which surrounds the gas line in the center of the flare. However, these shop-made nozzles were expensive to manufacture in such small quantities. And, the nozzles did not deliver a very precise spray pattern or drop size, which caused inefficient burning of the oil.
SOLUTION: Spraying Systems Co. recommended that each flare be designed with new fogging spray nozzles to promote more efficient burning. Six FogJet® spray nozzles, connected to the oil line, were mounted on the ring surrounding the gas line. The gas line assists in burning the oil, which is atomized by the FogJet Spray nozzles. These nozzles provide a dense full cone spray pattern and a fine atomization that results in better combustion and more efficient burning of the oil.
Surrounding the first ring of FogJet spray nozzles is a wider ring of 14 FloodJet® spray nozzles, connected to the water line. These nozzles spray water outward from the ring of fire and their wide angle spray literally created a water curtain. The curtain protects both the production platform and the flaring structure.
Because of the volatile nature of natural gas production, the flare company tested the new nozzles extensively prior to installation. Based on successful results, FogJet nozzles and FloodJet nozzles were designed into each of the 20 flares. The result is more efficient oil burning and enhanced safety. Manufacturing costs have been reduced because the flare company is now able to purchase competitively priced spray nozzles from Spraying Systems Co.
In fact, they're now evaluating other spray nozzles to incorporate into the design of their flares, including steam nozzles for smokeless flares.
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