API 537 on flares

[MortenA]

Has anybode read the (relatively) new API standard on flares - API 537?

Im mostly in upstream (offshore) process design. Is this a relevant standard for me - or will 521 do?

Best regards

Morten

 

[Guidoo]

Morten,

I did not read the standard yet, but there is an article in this month (May 2004) issue of Hydrocarbon Processing describing the new standard. From this, I understand that the new standard is about mechanical aspects for safe design and operation of flaring systems, where API RP 521 is about process and safety issues.

 

[EGT01]

Thanks for the tip! I wasn't aware there was a "new" standard for flares. I don't get Hydrocarbon Processing but since your post, I was able to get a quick look the API Standard 537, First Edition, Sept-2003.

From the scope section, the Standard is intended to supplement API RP-521 and includes a description of the mechanical design, operation and maintenance of 3 types of flares: elevated flares, multi-burner staged flares, and enclosed flares. Also included is a number of data sheets developed by API to be used as a means of recording and communicating design information.

 

[MortenA]

EGT01

Would it be essential for offshore/onshore process design?

Best regards

Morten

 

[EGT01]

Morten,

To say API Std 537 is essential is probably a subjective call but to quote a sentence from the Scope section:
"This standard is applicable to flares used in pressure relieving and vapor depressuring systems used in general refinery and petrochemical services."

I've not read it in detail but it appears to cover the "nuts and bolts" aspect of equipment operation, maintenance and mechanical design that you may could get from a flare manufacturer. Of course, for the flare types covered in the standard, API has brought that info together in a single source.

This may not provide you with any more info, but you may want to look at what the API Publications web site has to say about it.

http://api-ep.api.org/publications/index.cfm

Either "Search" or "Download" the catalog and then search within the pdf document for Standard 537. I would add that when I mentioned before about the flare data sheets (spec sheets), I didn't realize how much of the document consisted of data sheets. Standard 537 is indicated as being about 100 pages, about half of that (50 pages) are the data sheets and instructions for completing the data sheets. There are two basic sets of data sheets, one for SI units and the other for US Customary units. Within each set are data sheets for "General Flare", "Elevated Flare" and "Enclosed Flare".


Hope this helps.