Scot Smith, Zeeco, Inc., USA, describes how the emissions testing of sonic velocity flares validates high destruction and removal efficiency.
In a 2012 report by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Flare Review Panel, regulations for flares were expanded to include limits on velocity as a function of net heating value. EPA regulations do not allow sonic velocity flares to be permitted and operated without first performing an alternate means of emissions limitation (AMEL) test to validate destruction efficiencies. Existing regulations affect the application of multi-point stages flares since these flares operate at sonic exit velocities that exceed the maximum exit velocity requirements cited in 40 CFR 60.18 and 40 CFR 63.11(b) and applicable state regulations. Zeeco and others have conducted numerous destruction efficiency tests on multi-point sonic flares to validate sonic tips for more applications using an expanded range of gases and conditions. The testing process, procedures, and results are outlined in this article.
Download Article
