Gas Dispersion Modeling For Flare Stacks Using Flaresim
Gas Dispersion Modeling For Flare Stacks Using Flaresim
Gas Dispersion Modeling For Flare Stacks Using Flaresim
Using Flaresim
Prepared by:
Hafif Aulia Nur Rahman
https://www.linkedin.com/in/hafifaulianurrahman/
Table of Contents
Page
Case Study .......................................................................................................................................3
A. Create Base Case ........................................................................................................................4
B. Jet Dispersion Calculation ........................................................................................................14
C. Gaussian Dispersion (Contour Plot) .........................................................................................19
D. Gaussian Dispersion (Line Plot) ...............................................................................................28
E. Dispersion Analysis Comments ................................................................................................44
Attachment Gas Dispersion Modeling for Flare Stacks Using Flaresim .......................................46
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Gas Dispersion Modeling for Flare Stacks
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Using Flaresim
Case Study
Illustrate and analyze gas dispersion (Jet Dispersion and Gaussian Dispersion) from an existing
Flare Stack in a refinery under normal conditions and flame out conditions. The following data
have been provided to perform gas dispersion modeling using Flaresim :
A. Flared Fluid
1. Composition (Mole Fraction) = 90% Methane, 8% Ethane, and 2% H2S
2. Temperature = 75oC
3. Reference Pressure = 1.013 bar a
4. Mass Flow Rate = 50,000 kg/hr
B. Mechanical Data
1. Tip Type = Pipe
2. Tip Diameter = 387.4 mm (15.25 in)
3. Tip Length =1m
4. Stack Length = 20 m
5. Stack Orientation = Vertical
6. Stack Location = At Origin, 0, 0, 0 (in this case study, the stack location
assumption is used instead of using overlay feature)
C. Environment Data
1. Temperature = 15oC
2. Wind Speed = 10 m/s from North
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Gas Dispersion Modeling for Flare Stacks
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Using Flaresim
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A. Create Base Case
1. Start the Flaresim program through the Windows Start button in usual way.
Click / “Search” feature → Type “Flaresim” → Click “Open”
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2. After running the Flaresim software, the Setup Wizard will open automatically. Select the European units set for easy of entering
the remaining data. After that, proceed to the next step by clicking the Next button.
Setup Wizard
1
2
*Note : However, you can use other unit sets (Default SI or Default Field) if you are not familiar with European units set.
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3. In the Fluid tab, click “From Composition” option instead of “Specified Properties” because the composition of the gas to be
burned is already known.
1 2
*Note : After you enter the operating conditions and composition of the gas fluid to be burned, the fluid properties (Molecular
Weight, Lower Heating Value, Cp/Cv, LEL, Saturation, Critical Pressure, and Critical Temperature) will be calculated by Flaresim
automatically.
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4. In the Tip tab, select the radio button to set the tip type to a Pipe Tip, according to existing existing mechanical data of Flare Stack
(Z-0101).
After that, in the F Factor Method section, select the Generic Pipe method.
*Note : Generic Pipe F Factor is a proprietary correlation based on refitting other methods (Kent, Tan, Natural Gas, and Cook
methods) across a range of exit velocities and molecular weights and represents a good approach when modelling gas pipe tips.
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5. Still in the Tip tab, move to Tip Sizing section and enter the following data :
• Mass Flow Rate = 50,000 kg/hr
• Tip Diameter = 387.4 mm (15.25 in)
*Note : The Mach Number value, marked in red font, will be calculated automatically after you enter the Tip Diameter data.
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6. In the Environment tab, enter the following data :
• Wind Speed = 10 m/s • Temperature = 15oC
• Wind Direction = 0o (From North) • Include Solar Radiation = Checked
• Other Parameters = Leave as default unless otherwise stated or data from environmental laboratory tests provided.
*Note :
• If the direction of the wind is different, use the following value as guidance : East = 90o , South = 180 o , West = 270o.
• When considering whether to include solar radiation in gas dispersion modeling for flaring events, factors such as event
frequency and duration, personnel presence, alignment of sun and flare radiation, use of protective clothing, and ease of escape
from exposed areas should be carefully evaluated.
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7. In the Stack tab, enter the following data :
• Stack Angle = Vertical
• Length = 20 m
*Note : The value of Angle from Horizontal and from North parameters will be calculated automatically after you defined the flare
stack orientation in the Stack Angle section.
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8. In the Receptors tab, leave all parameter as default unless otherwise stated/defined by yourself.
*Note : The Radiation Limit is set at 4.733 kW/m2 where at this value personnel can carry out an emergency for 2 minutes (based
on API STD 521) without protection/shielding but with appropriate clothing.
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9. In the Calculations tab, select the Brzustowski method as per recommendation from API STD 521. However, you are free to choose
other calculation methods according to your process needs/requirements and your engineering judgement.
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Gas Dispersion Modeling for Flare Stacks
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Using Flaresim
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3
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2. Open the Calculation Options view by selecting it in the Case Navigator and clicking the view button. Select the check box
labelled Jet Dispersion in the Include Options section of the General Tab.
Click the Calculate button. The message window will include a warning from the dispersion calculations which states that the jet
will interact with the ground at a distance of 2,059 m. This is not a problem as indicated by the green background colour.
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3. Return to the view for your Elevation receptor grid and select the Concentrations tab. You should see a result that looks
something like that shown below :
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*Note : If the plot of jet dispersion modeling results looks too small, you can use the Zoom feature. See the following steps :
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Gas Dispersion Modeling for Flare Stacks
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Using Flaresim
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3
2 4
5
6
1
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2. Move to the Pollutant Data tab, select the H2S component only. For a contour plot, only one component can be selected.
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3. Open the Calculation Options view and select the Gaussian Dispersion check box to enable these calculations.
4
3
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4. Select the H2S Contour view and then click Results tab. Change the display option to the Plot option. The plot shows the ground
level concentration contours for H2S downwind of the stack as shown belows :
3
2
4
5
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5. The results shown have been calculated at the default environmental conditions. Atmospheric stability is characterised as Class
D with dispersion coefficients applicable to Rural terrain around the flare. Open the Environment view at the Dispersion Data tab
and test the effect on the dispersion results as you change the Atm. Stability class from A (most turbulent) to F (most stable) and
the effect of changing the terrain from Rural to Urban (if you want to try it). For this case, we will test the effect of changing
the Atm. Stability class from A to F without changing the terrain.
2
3
1
4
The results of dispersion test if the Atm. Stability changes from class A (most turbulent) to F (most stable) are as follows :
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Pasquill A
(Most Turbulent)
Pasquill B
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Pasquill C
Pasquill D
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Pasquill E
Pasquill F
(Most Stable)
*Note : You will see that the H2S concentrations are higher closer to the flare when atmosphere is more turbulent. The
sensitivity of the results to these parameters shows the necessity of selecting the appropriate environment settings for your particular
flare location.
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Gas Dispersion Modeling for Flare Stacks
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Using Flaresim
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2
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1
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2. In the Pollutant tab, select the SO2, NO, CO and Methane pollutants for calculation by checking the box alongside these
components. Click Calculate in the Navigation pane.
3
1
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Some of the components in this list, the CO2, H2O, SO2 are calculated directly from combustion of the components in the flared
gas. The Fluid view, Combustion Results tab shows the stoichiometric fraction of each of these components generated by
combustion of the flared gas.
2
3
1
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The remaining components, NOx (assumed as NO), CO and unburnt hydrocarbon (assumed as CH4) are calculated as typical
emissions resulting from hydrocarbon combustion. The quantities of each component generated is calculated by default, using the
global basis defined on the Calculation Option view Emissions tab.
3
2
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Alternatively in Expert Mode, the emissions basis for each Tip can be specified on the Emissions tab of the Tip view.
2
4
1
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The quantities of each component in the combustion gases for each Tip are displayed on the Combustion Results tab of the Tip
view.
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3. Since the dispersion of the combustion gases will be dependent on the flame temperature, we will now set this. Open the Tip View
and select the Fluids tab. At the bottom of this view you may input a value for the flame temperature or clear the specified
value to allow it to be calculated from the specified combustion air ratio.
Set the Combustion Air Ratio to 3.0 and clear the specified flame temperature.
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4. Open the Environment view and set the Atm. Stability Class to PasquillB. After that, click the Calculate button in the Navigation
pane.
3
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5. Return to the Combustion Gas Results tab of the Tip view to see the calculated flame temperature of 722.9oC and the combustion
gas compositions.
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6. In the Combustion Dispersions view, go to the Results page and select the Plot result to view the results as shown below. The
peak concentration of SO2 is calculated at ±68 µg/m3 at a distance of approximately ±1,400 m downwind of the flare tip.
3
2
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1
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6. As in the previous section, open the Environment view to the Dispersion Data tab and test the effect of changing the Atm.
Stability Class and Terrain class settings. You will find that for stable atmospheric conditions, stability classes E and F, the
emission concentrations are still rising at the maximum downwind distance we have defined (10,000 m). For this case, we will
test the effect of changing the Atm. Stability class from A to F without changing the terrain.
2
3
1
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The results of dispersion downwind test if the Atm. Stability changes from class A (most turbulent) to F (most stable) are as follows:
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Atmospheric Stability Class Results of Downwind Line Analysis for Combustion Emissions
Pasquill A
(Most Turbulent)
Pasquill B
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Atmospheric Stability Class Results of Downwind Line Analysis for Combustion Emissions
Pasquill C
Pasquill D
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Atmospheric Stability Class Results of Downwind Line Analysis for Combustion Emissions
Pasquill E
Pasquill F
(Most Stable)
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7. Save As the case and Print the results. For this gas dispersion modeling, we will use PasquillD as the default Atm. Stability Class.
1 2
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Gas Dispersion Modeling for Flare Stacks
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Using Flaresim
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Gas Dispersion Modeling for Flare Stacks
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Using Flaresim
Attachment
Gas Dispersion Modeling for Flare Stacks
Using Flaresim
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Check Code
Calculations By
Date
Time
Calculations Approved by
Date
Time
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Calculation Options
General
Method Brzustowski Nbr Flame Elem. 1 Calculation mode Sizing
Element Position 50 Active Environment Environment 1 Noise Method Spectrum
Liquid Buoyancy 0.030 m/s Pipe Buoyancy 3.048 m/s Sonic Buoyancy 4.572 m/s
Options
Expert Mode Active Windchill Ignored Noise Attenuation Active
Jet Dispersion Active Gaussian Dispersion Active
Run Dynamics False Run Case Studies True
Emission Data
NOX Basis Mass/Heat Release CO Basis Mass/Heat Release HC Basis Mass/Heat Release
NOX Rate 0.02923 kg/GJ CO Rate 0.15900 kg/GJ HC Rate 0.06016 kg/GJ
Fitting Data
Fitting Tip Fitting Point <All Active>
Fitting Result ----- Fitting Error -----
Sizing Information
Stack to be sized None Minimum Length 5.00 m Maximum Length 100.00 m
Sizing Wind Direction ----- Sizing Wind Speed ----- Calculated Size -----
Pressure Profile
Pressure Tolerance 0.000 bar Tip Elements 4 Riser Elements 40
Dispersion Data
Jet Disp. Averaging Short Jet Disp. Stop Conc. 0.00001 mole/mole
Environmental data
Environment: Environment 1 - Active
Atmosphere
Pressure 1.013 bar Temperature 15.0 C Humidity 10.00 %
Wind Speed 10.000 m/s Wind Direction 0.00 °
Background
BackGround Noise 60.0 dB Solar Radiation 0.800 kW/m2
Inc. Background Noise Active Inc. Solar Radiation Active
Transmissivity
Method Calculated Min Value 1.000 Max Value 1.000
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Dispersion Data
Stability Class PasquillD Terrain Class Rural Surface Roughness 0.20 m
Wind Reference Height 10.00 m Correct Wind Speed False
Input Data
Sterile Area
Elevation 0.00 m Noise Basis Noise Run SA Calcs False
Fluid Data
Fluid: Fluid 1
Input Data
Thermo Method Flaresim
Use Temp Corr. False Use RK ZFactor True
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Results
Flue to Feed Volume Ratio 3.140 Stoichiometric O2 2.110
Enthalpy @ 25°C 580.99 kJ/kg Enthalpy @ Fluid Temp. 690.65 kJ/kg
Tip Data
Tip: Tip 1 - Active
Input Data
General
Tip Type Pipe Located on stack Stack 1 Nbr of Burners 1
Angle to Horizontal 90.00 ° Angle to North 0.00 °
Tip Length 1.00 m Tip Diameter 387.40 mm Tip Opening 100.00 %
Seal Type None Diameter Basis Tip
Fluids
Fluid Fluid 1 LP Fluid Assist Fluid
Fluid Mass Flow 50000.000 kg/h LP Mass Flow 0.000 kg/h Assist Mass Flow 0.000 kg/h
Fluid Mole Flow 0.792 kgmole/s LP Mole Flow 0.000 kgmole/s
Pressure Drop
Riser Diameter 387.40 mm Tip Outlet Pressure ----- Contraction Coeff. 1.000
Roughness 0.02500 mm Exit Loss 1.000
Noise
Noise Method Acoustic Eff. Comb. Efficiency 0.00010 % Peak Frequency 500 Hz
Jet Noise Method Flaresim
Purge Gas
Purge Gas Fluid Nitrogen Purge Area Basis Stack Purge Fixed Velocity 0.060 m/s
Purge Fixed Volume Flow 0.283 m3/h Purge HUSA O2 6.00 % Purge HUSA Height 7.62 m
Emission Data
NOX Basis Mass/Heat Release CO Basis Mass/Heat Release HC Basis Mass/Heat Release
NOX Rate 0.02923 kg/GJ CO Rate 0.15900 kg/GJ HC Rate 0.06016 kg/GJ
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Noise Results
Peak sound pressure
Distance 30.00 m Sound pressure 107.7 dB
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Noise Spectrum
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Receptor Points
Receptor Point Summary
Name Status Northing Easting Elevation Radiation Avg. Noise Noise NoiseA Temp.
m m m kW/m2 dB dB dB C
RP_1 Active -10.00 0.00 0.00 9.402 99.8 109.8 108.5 82.2
Input Data
Location Properties Sizing
Northing -10.00 m Emissivity 0.700 Max. Radiation 4.733 kW/m2
Easting 0.00 m Absorbtivity 0.700 Observed Radiation -----
Elevation 0.00 m Mass per Area 24.0 kg/m2 Max. Noise -----
Location rel. to Origin Area Ratio 2.000 Max. Average Noise -----
Angle From North 180.00 ° Mass Cp 450.000 J/kg/C Max.A Noise -----
Angle To Horizontal 0.00 ° Initial Temp. 15.6 C Max.Temp. -----
Radius 10.00 m Orientation None
Local Environment Global
Threshold TDU 290
Threshold Temperature 373.15
Results
Noise
Radiation 9.402 kW/m2 Temperature 82.2 C Average Noise 99.8 dB
Concentration 0.00000 mole/mole Local Wind Speed 10.000 m/s Noise 109.8 dB
Time to TDU Limit 14.6 s Time to Temp. Limit Limit Not Reached Noise A (*) 108.5 dB
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Noise Chart
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Temperature Chart
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TDU Chart
Receptor Grids
Receptor Grid: Grid 1 - Active
Input Data
Location Properties Noise
Orientation Northing-Easting Emissivity 0.700 Noise Basis Noise
Offset 0.00 m Point Absorbtivity 0.700
Axis 1 Northing Area Ratio 2.000
Axis 2 Easting Point Orientation None
Axis information
Northing Minimum -150.00 m Maximum 150.00 m Nbr. of Points 41
Easting Minimum -150.00 m Maximum 150.00 m Nbr. of Points 41
Results
Maximum Radiation
Sizing Limit ----- Find Max. Rad. True Initial Grid Points 11
Radiation 9.591 kW/m2 Northing -5.29 m Easting 0.00 m
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Radiation chart
Temperature chart
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Noise chart
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Concentration chart
Input Data
Location Properties Noise
Orientation Elevation-Northing Emissivity 0.700 Noise Basis Noise
Offset 0.00 m Point Absorbtivity 0.700
Axis 1 Elevation Area Ratio 2.000
Axis 2 Northing Point Orientation None
Axis information
Elevation Minimum 0.00 m Maximum 300.00 m Nbr. of Points 41
Northing Minimum -300.00 m Maximum 100.00 m Nbr. of Points 41
Results
Maximum Radiation
Sizing Limit ----- Find Max. Rad. True Initial Grid Points 11
Radiation 911150327.235 kW/m2 Elevation 31.79 m Northing -5.29 m
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Radiation chart
Temperature chart
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Noise chart
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Concentration chart
Gaussian Dispersion
Gaussian Dispersion: H2S Contour - Active
Input Data
Source FlaredFluid Type Contour
Pollutants
Hydrogen sulphide Active Methane Ignored Ethane Ignored
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Input Data
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Pollutants
Hydrogen sulphide Ignored Methane Ignored Ethane Ignored
Carbon dioxide Ignored Water Ignored Sulphur dioxide Active
Nitrogen monoxide Active Carbon monoxide Active Methane Active
Messages
Level Message
Info: Calculations started at 2/15/2024 12:33:20 AM
Info: Calculating base case
Info: Tip Tip 1 : Dispersion - The edge of the jet is interacting with the ground at 2059.0 m.
Info: Point RP_1 : Calculated
Info: Grid Grid 1 : Calculated
Info: Grid Elevation : Calculated
Info: Calculations completed at 12:33:23 AM
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