ABSTRACT
ANSI/API Standard 537 (API 537) de“nes a ˆare as a “device or system used to safely dispose of relief ˆuids in an environmentally compliant manner through the use of combustion.”1 Flares (see Volume 3, Chapter 11) are used to destroy unwanted gases in a wide variety of applications from petroleum production, to re“neries and petrochemical plants, to downstream product handling.2 These unwanted gases may include off-spec product or vented streams that may be ˆammable, toxic, or corrosive.3 In each case, the ˆare system must separate liquids from gases (if necessary), ignite the gases, and provide the stable combustion necessary for destruction while
minimizing smoke, thermal radiation (see Volume 1, Chapter 7), and noise (see Volume 1, Chapter 16).4 A ˆare is an important interface between a plant and its surroundings. Industry, the public, and government regulators are increasingly challenged by the need for factual knowledge of ˆare performance. Reed notes that ˆares are the most critical element in the safe operation of a process plant.5 Chaudhuri and Diefenderfer state that ˆare system design is very important to the economics of plant operation.6
