Field Sampling of Solution Gas

Samples of solution gas were performed in March 2003. The goal is to determine the fraction of liquid and gas being flare as well as the composition of each phase.  A portable sampling equipment was developed with the cooperation of SGS Canada and is now fully operational.

Full-Scale Gaseous Flares

Research is currently underway at the National Research Council wind tunnel facility in Ottawa, ON for ¼, ½ and full-scale flares burning various fuels.  (Images are available under the Facilities section of this web site.) Experiments will analyze combustion efficiency, flame shapes, and flame positioning. As well, we will be investigating the accuracy and reliability of multipoint plume sampling. We will attempt to correlate the collected data with data previously obtained from experiments performed on ¼ and ½ scale flares burning in the University of Alberta wind tunnel facility.

Efficiencies of Gaseous Flares

The primary objective of this project was to accurately measure the efficiencies of ¼ to ½ scale flares burning various fuels. To date we have conducted hundreds of experiments to test the influence of a variety of parameters (wind speed, exit velocity, flare diameter, etc.) on the combustion efficiencies of flares burning mixtures of natural gas, propane, carbon dioxide and nitrogen. Some sample graphs of this data can be found in the RESULTS section.

As we continue to run experiments, we are now shifting our focus to analyzing and modelling the data so that we can accurately predict flare efficiencies at larger scales under any range of conditions.

Efficiencies of Gaseous Flares Containing Liquid Droplets

In the field, the gas streams at flaring sites may contain liquid droplets. The presence of these droplets has the potential to significantly affect the performance of the flare. Very little is known about the composition, size distribution or amounts of liquid droplets that are part of a typical solution gas flare stream. Therefore, the objective of this part of the project is to study how the droplets of water and hydrocarbons affect combustion efficiency and product formation. Using a system of an ultrasonic nozzle and baffles we can alter the mass flow rate and size range of the droplets to simulate a wide variety of conditions.

Mass Production Rates of Soot and Poly-Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs)

Experiments have been completed that measure the amounts of soot produced by flares under various conditions. It is recognized that when soot is being produced, PAHs and other toxic compounds are typically contained in the soot particles. New techniques are being developed to accurately measure both the mass of the soot particles being produced and the number of particles produced in various locations throughout the plume of combustion products.

The Efficiency by Point Sampling of the Plume

The objective of this part of the project is to study the accuracy and reliability of using small aspirating probes (available field technology) for measuring the combustion efficiency of gas flares. i.e.: Can we use a plume sample to determine accurately the amount of gas burned by a flare? To answer this question, we analyse the plume composition (local efficiency) at various locations using multipoint sampling. Samples of the plume are drawn through an array of stainless steel probes placed near the flame and passed to tedlar bags (for homogenisation). Gases are then analysed to determine the local efficiency at each probe location. Entire cross sections of the plume were analysed using this technique.

- Full maps of local efficiency can be seen here

Size, Shape, and Position of the Flame

Images of the flames are being collected and analysed digitally. We are using these data to learn about the processes that determine the shape and position of the flame and in turn to develop a model to predict these parameters for a variety of conditions, including changes in fuel composition and velocity and cross flow velocity. We have also developed a scaling model so that results from small-scale experimentation can be related to full-scale situations. Sample images illustrating some of the processing techniques and flame shape parameters can be found in the RESULTS section.

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Flare Research Project

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT, UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA
EDMONTON, ALBERTA, CANADA
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