Optimizing Vertical Gas Flare Stack's Sizing Parameters for Flare Efficiency in Niger Delta.

Boniface A Oriji; Dapa E Moses

Author(s)

Boniface A Oriji Department of Petroleum Engineering, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Dapa E Moses Institute of Petroleum Studies, University of Port Harcourt, NIGERIA

Abstract

One of the performance indicators of a flare system is its ability to consume gases efficiently through combustion so as to produce a more desirable emission. However, this process is significantly affected by the flare operating conditions and sizing (design) parameters. Realistically, this combustion process does not achieve the Ideal efficiency (of 100%), consequently resulting to environmental degradation; hazard to human, plant and animal lives. This study correlates the effect of the flare sizing parameters (diameter and height) of flare stacks in the Niger Delta to their respective efficiencies with a view of finding the optimum design specification that will ensure an efficient operation of flare stacks in the Niger Delta. Seven (7) vertical flare stacks' sizing parameters and their efficiencies, obtained from three (3) different oil and gas companies in the Niger Delta were analyzed by multiple regression using the MS-EXCEL 2016 Suite. From the results obtained, a mathematical model was developed and it showed that the flare's combustion efficiency increased by a factor of 2.44% for every 0.1 metre increase in diameter while holding the other variables constant, while it decreased significantly by 0.64% for every 1 metre increase in the height. The prevailing wind velocity at the stack location was integrated into the model; it was observed that the efficiency decreased as the wind velocity increased under a known period of time. The model showed that flare stacks with diameter of 0.822 metre, height of 18 metre under a wind velocity of less than 15 metre per second for a time interval of 60 seconds performed at 99% efficiency (API standard). However, the mathematical model developed in this study is only valid for predicting combustion efficiency of flare stacks with diameter less than 1 metre and under a wind velocity of less than 15 metres per second.

Publication Details

Page(s) 175-183

DOI DOI not available

Published Journal: Academic Research International, Volume: 8, Issue: 1, Year: 2017

Request the full text from PASTIC

Keywords

Sizing Parameters, Flare stack height, Gas Flare Stack, Flare stack diameter, Flare Efficiency, Niger Delta, Prevailing wind velocity

References

Adeyemo , A.M., 2002.The Oil Industry Extra-Ministerial Institutions and Sustainable Agricultural Development: A Case Study of Okrika L.G.A. of Rivers State, in Nigeria,Journal of Oil and Politics 2 -

Akeredolu F. A.; SonibareJ. A.,ResearchLibrary, 2004.A review of the usefulness of gas flares in air pollution control,Management of Environmental Quality; 15 -

API, 2007.Pressure-relieving and depressuring systems”, 5th Edition, -

Iyorakpo , J.,Odibikuma , P. W.,Edition John W. , David,C. , Dan,H. , Anup,S. and Matt,J., 2013.,Flare Efficiency Estimator and Case Studies. Water Environment Research Foundation 22314 -