Flare Requirements

[ProcessRookie]

Hi,

Does anyone know what the cut off point is when a facility needs to have a flare to deal with relief events? Obviously small plants do not need a flare because the relief load is low, but where is that cut off point.

Regards

The scientist describes what is; the engineer creates what never was.

 

[MortenA]

I dont see why its obvious that a "small" plant dont need a flare if it has a relief load. The question imo is - is cold vent an alternative? If yes then maybe thats the way to go. I was involved in the design of a gas storage facility without a flare even though it had compressors, water dew point KO drums etc. Its also a question of your local legislation.

Best regards, Morten

 

[bimr]

It is a question of the air pollution control regulations where the facility is located.

 

[ProcessRookie]

Hi Gents,

Thanks for the responses. The whole plant operates below 1barg & fluids are above auto-ignition therefore cold vent not an option. I have designed a quench system to kill the heat from the relief streams during an event and prevent fire. It was more out of interest I was wondering at what point (if the plant expands for example) we would need to connect the outlet of this quench system to a constant flare. Seems like there is no clear numerical rule, as with many regs.

Thanks

The scientist describes what is; the engineer creates what never was.

 

[georgeverghese]

Would guess it has to do with the plant layout - the more compact the plant, the greater the need for a common remote plant flare. In a land based plant with plenty of land around at low cost, one could set up individual vents / flares within each subunit.

 

[mk3223]

IMO, It can be difficult to have a one simple cut-off rule for the flare system requirement. The requirement of the flare system may be determined by several factors, such as :
- Safety concerns, such as flammable, combustible, or toxic materials
- Non-hazardous material (water, steam) or hazardous material (chemical, O&G)
- Overall relief loads per API-521
- Environmental concern
- Economic consideration
- Other concerns, such as noise, odor, light etc.

 

[racookpe1978]

The "visual attraction" of an external outdoor flare above most commercial properties would be a significant problem for many companies NOT in the oil-gas-refinery belt. Today's "public" has been conditioned AGAINST almost ANY visible "burning" symbols because the decades of CAGW CO2 "pollution", waste, energy conservation, and attention propaganda by the local ecologists and lawyers.

If there is any way you can avoid the flare, do so.