(114a) Quick Hit in Decarbonization – Start with the Flare

The pressure for sustainable, low carbon emissions operation is growing from the public, investors, and regulators. While decarbonization is a popular buzzword, practical programs for achievement are difficult to find. The logical starting point is to look at the flare and think about where the emissions originate. An effective flare management plan is a practical driver for reducing emissions. It can also improve the economics of a facility and enhance operational flexibility.

In this paper/presentation, we look at how chemical processing plants can improve flare management practices to maximize hydrocarbon recovery, minimize carbon emissions, and reduce operating costs associated with continuous flaring. Good flare management practices include (but are not limited to):

• Flaring assessments to determine current routine, non-routine, and emergency flaring operations
• Examination of flaring root causes and identification of reduction opportunities
• The development of a flare minimization plan with clear and achievable flaring reduction targets.
• Maintenance of the plan with proper change management practices to accommodate updates to the facility.
• The identification and monitoring of flaring key performance indicators (KPIs) to promote the right actions by facility stakeholders.

The paper/presentation will outline common flaring challenges that are typically seen in these facilities and discuss available mitigations that have both economic and operational rational for adoption. We will also provide a framework for a sustainable drive towards a low-emission operation with systematic and periodic assessment of an operator’s flaring operations to identify opportunities and implement changes that reduce demand on the facility’s flaring systems.