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TxOGA Flare Operation Discussion
April 28, 2009

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Discussion Objectives
Define the need for plant flares Describe the components of a typical flare system Discuss the limitations and hazards associated with operating flare systems Discuss maintenance requirements of flare systems

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Flares – What are they? Why do we need them?
“The primary function of a flare is to use combustion to convert flammable, toxic or corrosive vapors to less objectionable compounds.” (API 521 paragraph 6.4.1) Safely during both… emergency and routine operations.

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Flare Systems - Purpose
A system of Process Safety Management (PSM) critical mechanical equipment that gathers and safely burns hydrocarbons from pressure-relieving and vapordepressurizing systems Must be continuously available Must be reliable for years Capable of performing through all operating-plant emergency conditions, including a site-wide general power failure or a weather event including a hurricane Difficult to add equipment or modify because they are very infrequently out of service as they serve many units that are infrequently out of service.
(API 537 paragraph 4.1)
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Typical Flows to Flare Systems
Emergency Pressure relief flows Emergency depressurization Episodic Venting required for maintenance Venting required for regeneration Shutdown/Start-up operations (de-inventorying) Continuous – 99+% of Typical Operation Sweep gas through the flare system piping Process venting (continuous analyzer flows, gas seals, certain types of pressure control) Pressure Relief Valve leakage
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Typical Flare System

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Flare System Major Components
Every flare system is unique and different Every flare system contains differential components Series of collection headers from sources Knockout drum Stack Flare Tip Liquid seal Purge reduction device (stack seal) Integrated pilot system Monitoring and operation instrumentation Flare hydrocarbon recovery systems

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Typical Flare Header