Flare control using multi-variable flare monitor

A system for multi-variable flare control, comprising:

• an optical flare monitor capable of simultaneously generating a plurality of characteristics of a flare;
• and
• a flare controller that:
• receives a plurality of flare characteristics from the flare monitor,
• compares a first process value for a first of the plurality of flare characteristics against a first set-point value for the first of the plurality of flare characteristics,
• compares a second process value for a second of the plurality of flare characteristics against a second set-point value for the second of the plurality of flare characteristics,
• when the first process value has an unacceptable first relationship to the first set-point, regardless of a second relationship of the second process value to the second set-point, output a first control signal to an assist media control, wherein the first control signal is based on a first error value of the first process value;
• when the second process value has an unacceptable second relationship to the second set-point, and the first relationship is acceptable, output a second control signal based on a second error value of the second process value;
• and,
• when both the second relationship and the first relationship are acceptable, output the first control signal.

A system for multi-variable flare control, comprising:

• a flare controller that:
• receives a plurality of flare characteristics from a flare monitor,
• compares a first process value for a first of the plurality of flare characteristics against a first set-point value for the first of the plurality of flare characteristics,
• compares a second process value for a second of the plurality of flare characteristics against a second set-point value for the second of the plurality of flare characteristics,
• when the first process value has an unacceptable first relationship to the first set-point, regardless of a second relationship of the second process value to the second set-point, output a first control signal to an assist media control, the first control signal is based on a first error value of the first process value, and wherein a control value of the first control signal is further based on a previous control value of the last control signal sent to the assist media control;
• when the second process value has an unacceptable second relationship to the second set-point, and the first relationship is acceptable, output a second control signal based on a second error value of the second process value;
• and,
• when both the second relationship and the first relationship are acceptable, output the first control signal.