Corken Engineers Earn U.S. Patents for FlareOut™ Methane-Capture Technology

Corken recently received two U.S. patents that strengthen the design behind FlareOut™—an environmentally beneficial oil and gas solution that captures methane that might otherwise be flared, vented or lost through leaking equipment.

The patents recognize innovations from engineers Blake Wallace and Keaton Whitaker that improve alignment, durability and protection in demanding field conditions. Blake and Keaton are members of the IDEX Advanced Flow Solutions team that includes Corken and Liquid Controls in Oklahoma City.

The team designed FlareOut to reduce or eliminate flaring and venting at oil and gas well sites by redirecting excess natural gas for productive use. The compressor system is purpose-built for smaller wellheads—where flaring has traditionally been difficult to address cost-effectively—helping operators reduce emissions while recovering value from wasted gas and supporting Advanced Flow Solutions’ growth strategy.

Details of the Newly Awarded Patents

• Connecting Rod Guide (Inventors: Blake Wallace, Keaton Whitaker): Enables rotational and reciprocating motion while improving alignment and reducing wear. The design also simplifies assembly and can reduce manufacturing cost and uses connected rod bearings that are better suited to the application.
• Compressor Vaporizer with Discharge Pipe in Crankcase (Inventor: Blake Wallace): Allows the compressor to safely ingest hydrocarbon liquids by vaporizing the liquids as they accumulate using the compressor's own (free) heat of compression. Protects the unit from these liquids which could otherwise damage the compressor.

Congratulations to the team, for this achievement in the development of this exciting new product!