Purpose of a Flare System
A flare system is a safety device used to:
-Safely dispose of excess hydrocarbons
-Protect equipment from overpressure
-Prevent uncontrolled releases or explosions
Main components
1, Flare tip
-Where gas is finally burned
-Temperature: 1200-1500°C
-Designed for:
-Stable combustion
-Low smoke
-Minimal radiation to ground
2, Flare Stack
-Vertical steel tower(50-55m height)
-Raises flame high above personnel & equipment
-Reduces heat radiation and toxic exposure
-Equipped with:
-Access ladder & platforms
-Aviation warning lights
3, Pilot Burner
-Small continuous flame
-Ensures immediate ignition of released has
-Supplied by pilot gas line
-Has auto-ignition system(electric or spark)
-Prevents gas accumulation and flashback
4, Pilot gas line
-Separate, reliable fuel gas supply
-Often duplicated for redundancy
-Critical for flare availability
5, Flare header
-Main pipeline collecting gases from
-Pressure relief valves
-Blowdown valves
-Emergency vents
-Acts as a common discharge manifold
6, Knockout drum(KO drum/slug catcher)
-Horizontal or vertical vessel
Removes:
-Liquids
-Condensate
-Slugs
Protects flare tip from:
-Liquid carryover
-Flame instability
-Mechanical damage
7, Flare K.O. drum(liquid seal drum)
Provides:
-Liquid collection
-Flashback prevention
-Acts as a hydraulic seal
-Prevents air ingress into flare system
8, Pressure relief valve
-Opens automatically at set pressure(e.g.10psig)
-Sends excess pressure to flare
-Last line of defense against
-Vessel rupture
-Explosion
9, Guy Wires/wind deflector
-Structural stability for tall stacks
-Withstands wind loads
-Maintain vertical alignment
