Glossary:Incinerator

Also known as an enclosed combustor

Flares are not 100% efficient, and some methane (un-combusted) is emitted during flaring as a result of un-combusted gas being released via the equipment exhaust stream. Flares cannot be performance tested to guarantee that they achieve the same efficiency as an incinerator or enclosed combustor. Studies suggest that the efficiency of a flare during windy conditions can be as low as 50%. The many components and complex network of small gathering lines in flare are a source of fugitive emissions.

Incinerators are used when flaring is not a viable option. The combustion efficiency of an incinerator is known to be over 99% which is higher than a flare. Plus, they are more suitable for applications involving carcinogenic gases like BTEX and H2S applications. Incineration of waste gas products may not be a new concept for the

oil and gas industry however, in recent years the design and technology have resulted in optimal performance, increased reliability and reduce capital and operating costs for operators.

An enclosed combustor is a newer iteration of the incinerator. The combustion device is completely enclosed except for the combustion air intake and the exhaust discharge. It operates like an incinerator with more restriction to allow it to be able to operate in a reduced spacing capacity. The surfaces exposed to the atmosphere operate below the temperature that would ignite a flammable substance present in the surrounding area. Because of the reduced space capacity all air intakes must be equipped with a flame arresting device as a safety feature to allow the unit to be 10 meters away from wells or operating equipment.