Abstract: A tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy (TDLAS) optical head includes a housing configured for attachment to a sight tube attached to a wall of a process chamber. The TDLAS optical head further includes optics within the housing for transmitting, receiving, or transmitting and receiving a laser beam within a process chamber through the sight tube. The TDLAS optical head further includes a photo sensor in the housing positioned to receive light emitted by combustion within the process chamber to which the housing is attached.

Abstract: A method for measuring a concentration of at least one target species includes generating first and second laser beams having respective first and second wavelengths each corresponding to respective absorption lines of the at least one target species. The method includes coupling the first and second laser beams to proximal ends of first and second fundamental modes of first and second optical waveguides, respectively. The method includes transmitting through a measurement zone, for a distal end of the first and second optical waveguides, a probe signal including the first and second laser beam. The method includes determining a first signal strength of the probe signal at the first wavelength and a second signal strength of the probe signal at the second wavelength, and determining, from the first signal strength and the second signal strength, a concentration of the at least one target species.

Abstract: A method of monitoring blockage of a sight tube attached to a wall of a process chamber, the sight tube being operatively associated with a TDLAS optical head with a window between the sight tube and the TDLAS optical head. The method includes the steps of providing a photo sensor in the TDLAS optical head, the photo sensor being positioned to receive light emitted by a light emitting process within the process chamber. An emission signal produced by light emitted by the light emitting process within the process chamber being received by the photo sensor is monitored. A determination is made if the emission signal is degrading.

Abstract: A system for widely spaced wavelength tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy includes at least a first and second tunable diode laser generating laser light at a first and second wavelength, wherein laser light of the first and second wavelengths cannot co-propagate efficiently on the same single-mode fiber. A first fiber may be configured to carry light in the first wavelength, and a second fiber configured to carry light in the second wavelength. A fiber bundle may be formed from the distal ends of the first and second fibers stripped of their respective coatings, and arranged with their claddings adjacent to each other. One or more pitch heads are configured to project respective beams of laser light from the fiber bundle through a measurement zone. One or more catch heads located across the measurement zone receive the respective beams and direct the respective beams onto at least one sensor.

Abstract: The methods improve the separation of hydrocarbon containing fluids. More particularly, the disclosure is relevant to separating fluids having a gas phase and a hydrocarbon liquid phase using indirect heating. In general, the methods use a first gas separation step followed by indirect heating and then a second gas separation step. Pressure reduction of the hydrocarbon containing fluid occurs either before or after the indirect heating.

Abstract: Sensing of gas species characteristics within a process chamber includes selectively projecting a beam of a first select lasing frequency therethough. The beam is optically coupled to a detector to detect a process transmission spectrum having an absorption dip at a select lasing frequency caused by a gas species characteristic. The beam is selectively projected through a fiber Bragg grating which is formed in an optical fiber core to partially reflect at least a portion of the beam of the first select lasing frequency while passing a remainder of the beam. The remainder of the beam has an FBG transmission spectrum mimicking the absorption dip at or near the select lasing frequency caused by a gas species characteristic of interest. It is optically coupled the detector. Outputs of the detector are monitored to compare the FBG transmission spectrum to any process transmission spectrum produced in the process chamber.

Abstract: Systems and methods for separation of hydrocarbon containing fluids are provided. More particularly, the disclosure is relevant to separating fluids having a gas phase, a hydrocarbon liquid phase, and an aqueous liquid phase using indirect heating. In general, the system uses a first gas separation followed by pressure reduction and then a second gas separation. Indirect follows the second gas separation and then three-phase separation.

Abstract: A low NOX burner in which the amount of air flow to the low NOX (nitrous oxides) burner can be adjusted (e.g., based on determinations related to the TEG air flow to the low NOX burner). A low NOX burner capable of operating in a TEG mode that uses a mixture of fresh air and turbine exhaust gas (TEG) as an oxidizer, and also in a fresh air mode in which fresh air (but not TEG) is used as an oxidizer (e.g., and that may be configured to switch seamlessly between these modes). A method of operating a low NOx burner that that includes using TEG and fresh air as an oxidizer to burn fuel, in a TEG mode and, when conditions dictate, such as when the TEG flow has decreased to a pre-determined level (e.g., zero or close to zero), switching from the TEG mode to a fresh air mode.

Abstract: The methods improve the separation of hydrocarbon containing fluids. More particularly, the disclosure is relevant to separating fluids having a gas phase and a hydrocarbon liquid phase using indirect heating. In general, the methods use a first gas separation step followed by indirect heating and then a second gas separation step. Pressure reduction of the hydrocarbon containing fluid occurs either before or after the indirect heating.

Abstract: A staged steam injection system for a flare tip that can discharge waste gas into a combustion zone is provided. The staged steam injection system includes, for example, a first gas injection assembly and a second stage gas injection assembly. The first gas injection assembly is configured to inject steam at a high flow rate and a high pressure into the flare tip or the combustion zone. The second gas injection assembly is configured to inject a gas (for example, steam and/or a gas other than steam) at a low flow rate and a high pressure into the flare tip or the combustion zone. A flare tip including the staged steam injection system is also provided.