Question : Could you provide an explanation about the primary
and secondary aspects of Pilot Ignition & Detection?
Answer :
Pilot is consists of
1. Primary aspect : 2 options to spark Ignition at the pilot and operate automatically;
- High Energy: ZEUS
- High Voltage : Instafire
2. Secondary aspect: Flame Front Generator (FFG) for its stability and easy maintenance.
Pilot Monitoring : Choose 2 detection systems from
- Thermocouple (T/C)
- Infra-Red
- Ionization
- SoundProof
“Redundancy in ignition and detection methods on pilot is a recommendation from API.”
API 537 recommends 2 ignition systems
- “no single ignition system is preferred in all circumstances. For improved reliability, multiple ignition systems can be installed. Spark ignition at the pilot is often preferred as the primary means of ignition because it is easily automated.
- A manual compressed air flame front generator is commonly installed as backup system because of its ultimate reliability and serviceability.” And
- “Reliability of the detection devices is of paramount importance; ease of maintenance is also of major concern. It is common practice to utilize redundant control elements”.
Risk from 1 ignition system
The flare pilot must reliably ignite the flare. If the pilot fails, unburned hydrocarbons and/or toxic gases could be released to the atmosphere, potentially resulting in a vapor cloud explosion, odor problems or adverse health effects. In most elevated flare applications, the pilot cannot be accessed for service or replacement while the flare is in operation. The pilot system must be reliable enough to operate for years without maintenance and having redundancy in ignition and detection help improvement the system reliability.
