Extinguishing oil and gas well blow-out fires

摘要

A device for generating supersonic fluid jet flows is used to extinguish oil and gas well blow-out fires by injecting high momentum fluid flow into the stabilizing region at the base of the flare, thus causing the turbulent jet flame which comprises the flare to detach from pipebreak regions and extinguish. The fluid, such as air, water, carbon dioxide or nitrogen, is pumped to the device via an inlet tube J and leaves through a discharge tube D. The device operates by opening a valve A to allow high pressure helium in a chamber B, C to interface with the fluid stream in order to generate a shock wave in the discharge tube. Behind the shock wave, the flow is supersonic as the jet of fluid exits from the tube and is directed into the base of the flare. The valve A lifts in response to operation of a gas release device, such as a solenoid-driven exhaust valve S. Repetitive generation of the supersonic jet minimizes the hazard of re-ignition of the flare by hot pipework or local fires.