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Advanced pilot technology: Ignition, flame detection and re‐ignition
Author(s) -
Parker Jim,
Guerra Romeo
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
process safety progress
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.378
H-Index - 40
eISSN - 1547-5913
pISSN - 1066-8527
DOI - 10.1002/prs.680150409
Subject(s) - ignition system , combustor , combustion , gas burner , engineering , waste management , pilot program , automotive engineering , medicine , chemistry , organic chemistry , medical education , aerospace engineering
Advances in technology relative to pilots, pilot ignition, pilot flame detection and pilot gas consumption are needed to reduce the millions of dollars lost as a result of outdated existing pilot technology. These losses are the result of damaged equipment, lost production, fuel usage, safety issues, lawsuits and in some instances jeopardizing personnel. This paper briefly discusses the existing pilot technolgy including pilot ignition and pilot flame detection, the economic impact on the users, and new developments in pilot technology. Over the past decade the major combustion companies have been required by consolidation of plants and the introduction of new Environmental Regulations to concentrate their Research and Development resources on the design of Flares and Burners with higher release rates, increased smokeless capabilities, and lower generation of NOX and CO. This has resulted in minimal Research and Development efforts by the major combustion companies directly relating to the design and improvement of pilots and pilot flame detection. Pilots, ignition and pilot flame detection technology has been forced to take a back seat to those more pressing issues. This has resulted in much concern by the operators of pilots regarding flame stability, ignition methods, reliability, gas usage, and safety. The industry has been forced to accept pilots, ignition and pilot flame detection equipment with outdated technology which has caused losses in the millions of dollars. The most critical component of a flare or burner is the pilot which ignites the vented high pressure relief gas from flares, and the gases or oil released through a burner to create a heat source for various plant processes.