Abstract: A nozzle for a pilot light for a flare stack, the nozzle being formed of a housing defined by an encircling cylindrical wall, with radially extending openings formed circumferentially around the encircling wall, and is made of material resistant against breakdown in a sour gas environment at temperatures at least less than 1200.degree. C., preferably 98% by weight alumina ceramic. A cage holds the nozzle, which includes a base plate having a central aperture and first and second sides, a tube extending into the aperture from the first side of the base plate and fixed to the base plate, and plural retainers extending from the base plate and enclosing the nozzle. To form a pilot for a flare stack, a gas conduit is connected into an interior cavity of the nozzle. The cage is attached to a flame stack. Spaced electrodes form a spark gap adjacent one of the openings in the nozzle. A source of electrical power is connected to one of the first and second electrodes.

Abstract: A detonation arrestor for a line carrying a combustible gas includes a cell housing having a portion that is directed to quenching a detonation front and a portion that is directed primarily to heat absorption so that the heat of a continuous or prolonged burn can be withstood. The quenching portion may be a porous quenching medium. The heat absorption section contains a large mass of metal with porous channels through or between them. An example is a plurality of closely spaced stacked plates, which may be helically wound or plane parallel plates. Crimped ribbon or other spacers may separate them. As an alternative to the quenching medium, the plates may extend long enough to allow flame fronts to be quenched between them. The detonation arrestor is symmetrical and may be placed in the flare line in either direction. If particulate quenching medium is used, a deflector ring encircles the interior of the cell housing and prevents flame fronts from flashing along the edge of the cell housing.

Abstract: An igniter for a flare stack includes a pair of probes. A hot probe has a tip end free to move in a substantially planar surface. A grounded probe has a tip end extending in at least one direction of the substantially planar surface. The hot probe also has a tip end extending in the substantially planar surface but in a different direction. Movement of the tip end of the hot probe in local wind conditions results in a constant gap being maintained between the tip ends. The pulse generator for the igniter is conventional. A system is shown for stack 90' and shorter and for stacks higher than 90'.

Abstract: A detonation arrestor for a line carrying a combustible gas includes a cell housing having a particulate quenching medium composed of alumina ceramic beads. The media is held in place by a plurality of stacked plates. The detonation arrestor is symmetrical and may be placed in the flare line in either direction. A deflector ring encircles the interior of the cell housing and prevents flame fronts from flashing along the edge of the cell housing.

Abstract: A detonation arrestor for a flare line includes a cell housing having a particulate quenching medium composed of stainless steel balls. The stainless steel balls are held in place by wire mesh and steel bars. A flame front diffusor is located on either side of the cell housing so that the detonation arrestor is symmetrical may be placed in the flare line in either direction. The flame front diffusor may be a plate or a smaller cell. A deflector ring encircles the interior of the cell housing and prevents flame fronts from flashing along the edge of the cell housing.

Abstract: A vapor transfer pump for a storage tank includes a bladder and a continuously reciprocating plate disposed about the bladder. Vapor from the storage tank enters the bladder through a one way check valve set at a low pressure, and is forced out, by the continuously reciprocating plate, through a second one way check valve set at a higher pressure.

Abstract: A horizontal vapor tight oil battery assembly includes a single, large size, combination separation and production tank for connection to a well-head. The separation of gas and water from oil and holding of the production oil all occurs within the same chamber. In one form, the combination separation and production tank is mounted on skids, and in another form, is adapted to be installed underground. The separation and production tanks are preferably adapted from surplus pressurized tank cars. Treaters may be used in association with the combination separation and production tank.