Flare Function

Emergency conditions require rapid pressure relief discharging large vapor volumes. Safe disposal through thermal oxidation converts hydrocarbons to CO₂ and water, destroys H₂S producing SO₂, and eliminates toxic compounds. Flares provide reliable ignition, stable combustion, and smokeless operation protecting facilities during critical emergency events.

System Components

Complete systems include flare stack or ground torch, ignition system with pilots and igniters, knockout drum removing liquids, flame arresters where required, flashback seals, water seal or molecular seal preventing air ingress, radiation shields protecting personnel and equipment, and instrumentation monitoring pilots and flame presence.

Flare Types

Elevated flares use vertical stacks 30-100 meters high providing ground-level radiation protection and dispersion. Ground flares employ multiple burners with air-assist or steam-assist for smokeless combustion in compact installations. Emergency torches provide temporary combustion capacity. ERGIL selects configuration based on flow rates, site constraints, and regulations.

Combustion Performance

Steam or air injection ensures smokeless operation meeting visible emissions limits. Pilot burners maintain continuous ignition readiness. Flame monitoring confirms ignition during relief events. Proper tip design achieves 98%+ destruction efficiency for hydrocarbons and toxics meeting air permits.

Applications

Refinery emergency depressurization systems, gas plant blowdown disposal, chemical facility relief vapor destruction, offshore platform safety systems, and any facility requiring emergency vapor combustion. Handles flows from continuous purge 50-500 SCFH to emergency relief 10-500 MMSCFD.

Safety Features

Continuous pilot flames ensure reliable ignition during emergencies. Flame arresters prevent flashback into flare headers. Water or molecular seals isolate flare from process preventing air ingress and backflow. Radiation analysis determines safe equipment and personnel distances.

Control Systems

Pilot monitoring with automatic reignition maintains continuous readiness. Flow measurement tracks flare loads. Steam or air injection modulates for smokeless combustion. Integration with facility emergency systems coordinates relief operations and vapor disposal.

Design Standards

Systems per API 521, API 537 flare standards, and EPA regulations. Structural design for wind, seismic, and thermal loads. Materials for high-temperature combustion service. Complete stress analysis and foundation design. Air dispersion modeling demonstrates ground-level concentration compliance.

Performance Benefits

Protects personnel from toxic vapor exposure during emergencies. Prevents atmospheric release of hydrocarbons and H₂S. Meets environmental combustion efficiency and emissions requirements. Reliable ignition ensures safe vapor disposal. Proven technology critical for facility emergency response.

ERGIL emergency flares deliver dependable vapor combustion ensuring safe facility depressurization and environmental protection during process emergencies and relief events.