(122d) Reducing Black Smoke and CO2 Emissions in PT Badak's Ground Flare

in PT Badak’s Ground Flare

Ferry Adhi Perdana

Process Engineer

PT Badak Natural Gas Liquefaction

Bontang, Kalimantan Timur, Indonesia

E-mail : ferry@badaklng.co.id

During plant upset (such as start up or shutdown), the waste liquid hydrocarbon is burned at ground flare and results in black smoke and CO₂ emission. Approximately 35 kilotons / year of CO₂ emission is generated only from sweep gas burned to maintain ground flares in service. To support PT Badak’s commitment to the environment issues and government regulation, the study is required with the intention to evaluate the possibility eliminating the black smoke and reduce CO₂ emission at ground flare.

PT Badak has five ground flares to burn the waste liquid hydrocarbon from all plant area such as process trains, LNG & LPG storages and loading dock. Once plant upset, firstly the liquid hydrocarbon is sent to Hydrocarbon Condensate Stabilizer unit for its recovery by delta pressure as a driving force. After the delta pressure is low, the remaining liquid hydrocarbon is sent to ground flare by gravity and burned. At ground flare, combustion reaction is occurred between hydrocarbon and air with carbon dioxide and water as product. When air supply for combustion is lower than requirement, incomplete combustion is occurred and it causes black smoke. There are three options to prevent black smoke namely Steam Educator Assisted, Liquid Atomizing Burner and Liquid Hydrocarbon Recovery. From the evaluation, Steam Educator Assisted and Liquid Atomizing Burner will still produce CO₂ emissions and it will not offer an additional benefit. Meanwhile, for Liquid Hydrocarbon Recovery (LHCR), it will provide advantages in eliminating black smoke and CO₂ emissions, saving sweep gas and also recovering liquid hydrocarbon. So, based on the evaluation, LHCR is the preferred option to reduce black smoke and CO₂ emissions in PT Badak’s ground flare. In LHCR, the waste liquid hydrocarbon from plant upset will be collected in the surge drum and processed in Condensate Stabilizer unit and Fuel Gas system. LHCR will reduce CO₂ emissions around 35 kilotons/year and save sweep gas approximately 1,818 kNm³/hr.

Keywords: waste liquid hydrocarbon, black smoke, CO₂ emissions