3 replies to this topic

[Process EngrPsh]

Dear All,

we have a Low Flare system at our plant. At the end of five years operation, we need to carry out maintenance and inspection of Flare Tip, which will require a complete plant shutdown.

I have been given an objective by my superiors to look into the possibility of Standby flare tip, so that in future, maintenance can be carried out without the requirement of plant shutdown.

 

i need your help in this regard. 

 

Thanks and regards,

Naseer Khan

[Zauberberg]

What does "standby flare tip" mean? Another tip, identical to the existing one, stored in the warehouse on site? Or a completely independent new flare stack, connected to the existing flare header?

 

Only the second case provides an option for flare tip maintenance without plant shutdown. Read also the discussion at: http://www.cheresour...ne-maintenance/

[Process EngrPsh]

Thanks Zauberberg,

 

Do you have any documents which you can share regarding the second option? i mean how can the stack be connected and other mandatory things to work on before proceeding for the activity.

 

i will be glad if youd could help me in this matter.

[Zauberberg]

I haven't come across such a document or study. I believe it would be time consuming and quite expensive to perform this kind of modification of the plant, and I seriously doubt there will be any justification. I have seen something exactly opposite - two adjacent plants sharing the same flare stack, and that was an example of good engineering practice.

 

Flare inspection and maintenance should be performed during regular/planned shutdown cycles. Once you shutdown and depressurize the facilities, flare system is fully available for maintenance activities. I can't think of any operating plant in which one would need flare inspection more frequently than what the planned shutdowns allow for. Why would the plant in your question be different?

 

Modern plant designs have minimized the amount of flaring. Most operator companies - if not all of them - have absolutely prohibited operational flaring in their design standards. This further reduces the need for flare system maintenance, because most of the time flare operates with purge flow only.