A review of the usefulness of gas flares in air pollution control

Various impacts of direct venting of natural gas into the environment, both in the upstream and downstream petroleum operations, often compel the chemical engineer to specify air pollution control equipment for installation on new and existing platforms/facilities. Flares, a special class of such equipment, are considered in this paper. The major types of flares used in the oil industry are reviewed and the principles guiding their operation and performance discussed. Information which would aid the choice of flare system for new applications is also discussed.