Flares Modeled as Point Sources

SCREEN3, by default, assumes specific values for the stack gas exit velocity and temperature, and calculates an effective stack diameter
based on the heat release rate. For refined modeling of flares (eg, using AERMOD or ISC), more general equations should be used when flare
parameters significantly depart from the default values. This spreadsheet is specifically designed to assist the modeler when having
to model flares as point sources. This is the approach required in AERMOD and ISC since the models do not specifically allow the modeling of flare
sources when in the regulatory default mode. (This can be done with the regulatory default mode deselected.)

Use the "onegas" worksheet for flares burning one gas. Use the "multigas" worksheet for flares burning two or more gases. When a range of heating
values is encountered, use the low end value (also called the net heating value, obtained by subtracting the latent heat of vaporization from the
gross, or higher, value). If H2S is being flared, the resulting SO2 emission rate may be computed.

The flare equations account for plume buoyancy reduction due to radiative heat loss and for flame length (reflected in the heat release
rate parameter). The approach is to use the net heat release rate to determine the effective increase in stack height. Additionally,
the exit velocity and stack temperature, in conjunction with the net heat release rate, are used to compute an effective stack diameter.

The equations used, and their derivation, are detailed in the "Background" worksheet.
Facility: Flares Modeled as Point Sources
Project: (when emissions are, or can be approximated as, a single gas)

NOTES: 1) If the flare idle mode is to be modeled, treat as an ordinary point source since the heat release rate and the radiative heat loss are small.
2) The effective stack height need not be used in the model as the conservative approach would be to ignore the increased stack height.
3) Enter all input values only in the yellow cells. Results are in bold red.

Flare Flare Flare Typical Heating Values (also see table on "multigas" worksheet)
EP # Gas Operation BTU/ft3
Description ethanol VOCs ethanol plant 200 - 300 d
ambient temperature (°F) a NH3 nitrogen plant 359
stack temperature (°F) ** ** ** methane landfill 450 - 550, 896e
ambient temperature (°K) propane 2516, 2282e
stack temperature (°K) ethane 1594e
volumetric flow rate (acfm) biogas lagoon 650 (mostly methane)
volumetric flow rate (scfm)
heating value (BTU/ft3) Radiation Heat Loss % from Literature
heat release rate (BTU/hr) Gas % Loss
radiative heat loss (%) b natural gas 23
net heat release rate (BTU/hr) methane 16 - 26
net heat release rate (J/sec) propane 33
optional --> actual stack height (ft) butane 30
effective stack height (ft) ** ** ** ethylene 38
actual stack exit velocity (fps) ** ** ** hydrogen 17
actual stack exit velocity (m/sec) methane + LPG 30
actual stack diameter (ft) c gas, MW about 17 25
effective stack diameter (ft) ** ** ** gas, MW about 40 40 (with steam)
gas, MW about 40 50 (without steam)
** Values for model input (NOTE: flow rate is not a model input) 32.1 - 0.0418v; v = exit velocity in m/sec
general equations:
a
Ambient temperature is generally set at 70°F. Or, annual average temperature [21exp(-0.00323v)] + 11; v = exit velocity in m/sec
may be used (48°F).
b
Default value is 55% (SCREEN3). This is conservative. d
Based on a permit limit to flare gas with minimum net heating value
c
For comparison only. Not used in calculations. of 200 BTU/ft3 (no assist), or 300 BTU/ft3 (steam or air assist).
NOTE: 1 BTU = 1055 Joule = 0.001055 MJ = 252 calories = 0.252 kcal e
Value from Fundamentals of Dispersion Modeling, Table 10-2,
Trinity Consultants (2nd ed.)
 "multigas" worksheet)

v = exit velocity in m/sec

3v)] + 11; v = exit velocity in m/sec

um net heating value

Facility: Flares Modeled as Point Sources
Project: (when emissions are from multiple gases)

NOTES: 1) If the flare idle mode is to be modeled, treat as an ordinary point source since the heat release rate and the radiative heat loss are small.
2) The effective stack height need not be used in the model as the conservative approach would be to ignore the increased stack height.
3) Enter all input values only in the yellow cells. Results are in bold red.
Heating Value Determinationd
Flare Gas Component Gas Fraction Low Heat Value Low Heat Valuee Low Heat Value Fraction
EP # (kcal/m3) (BTU/ft 3) (BTU/ft3)
Description
ambient temperature (°F) a Hydrogen 2570 64.06
stack temperature (°F) ** Methane (CH4) 8570 213.62
ambient temperature (°K) Acetylene (C2H2) 13490 336.26
stack temperature (°K) Ethane (C2H6) 15300 381.38
volumetric flow rate (acfm) Ethylene (C2H4) 14200 353.96
volumetric flow rate (scfm) Natural Gas 9090 226.58
heating value (BTU/ft3) 0 Propane (C3H8) 22250 554.62
heat release rate (BTU/hr) Propylene (C3H6) 20900 520.97
radiative heat loss (%) b Butane (C4H10) 29300 730.35
net heat release rate (BTU/hr) Butylene-1 27900 695.46
net heat release rate (J/sec) C5+ Hydrocarbons 33010 822.83
optional --> actual stack height (ft) Carbon Monoxide (CO) 3010 75.03
effective stack height (ft) ** Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) 5300 132.11
actual stack exit velocity (fps) **
actual stack exit velocity (m/sec) Totals 0 0.000E+00
actual stack diameter (ft) c
effective stack diameter (ft) ** d
Sources:
- The Engineering Tool Box @ http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/gross-net-heating-values-d_420.html.
** Values for model input (NOTE: flow rate not a model input) - Alberta Environment @ http://environment.gov.ab.ca/info/library/7223.xls
a
Ambient temperature is generally set at 70°F. Or, annual average temperature e
Values adjusted from a standard temperature of 32°F (273°K) to 70°F (294°K).
may be used (48°F).
b
Default value is 55% (SCREEN3). This is conservative. SO2 Emission Rate Determinationf (due to H2S emissions)
c
For comparison only. Not used in calculations. H2S --> SO2 conversion efficiency (%) 98 (default value is 98%)
NOTE: 1 BTU = 1055 Joule = 0.001055 MJ = 252 calories = 0.252 kcal SO2 emission rate (lb/hr)

f
SO2 emission rate = H2S flow rate @ STP x SO2 conversion efficiency x SO2 density @ STP (based on Ideal Gas Law)
 Flares Modeled as Point Sources
Source: Lakes Environmental Consultants' report: PROPOSED GUIDANCE FOR AIR DISPERSION MODELLING
@ http://www.ene.gov.on.ca/envision/techdocs/3614e02.htm

Flare sources can be treated in a similar way as point sources, except that there are buoyancy flux reductions associated with radiative heat losses and a need to account
for flame length (reflected by the heat release parameter, H) in estimating plume height. Input requirements are similar to those for a point source, except that the stack height
must be calculated as an effective height and the stack diameter adjusted to an effective diameter to match the radiative loss reduced buoyancy flux.

Effective stack height:

Due to the high temperature associated with flares, the effective release height of the plume can be calculated as follows:

Hsl = Hs + (4.56x10-3)*((Hr/4.1868)^0.478) (m) (Q may be used in some references instead of H)

where:

Hsl = effective flare release height (m)

Hs = stack height above ground (m)
Hr = net heat release rate (J/s) = (1 - F)H (for a single gas)
H = total heat (sensible + radiated) release rate (J/s)
F = radiative loss factor (%)

The value of the radiative heat loss factor depends on the burning conditions of the flare. If there is information specific to the flare, it should be used. (SCREEN3 recommends
a default radiative heat loss factor of 55%. This is very conservative as most gases have values about half of that.)

Gathering the constants together and converting from meters to feet:

Hsl = Hs + (7.54x10-3)*(Hr^0.478) (ft)

Effective stack diameter:

The idea here is to adjust the stack diameter (holding other stack parameters constant, including the exit velocity) so that the point source (a virtual flare) will yield the same
predicted ambient pollutant concentrations as a flare (modeled as a flare). The effective stack diameter can be determined by equating the buoyancy flux from the flare
(hot source—Brigg’s equation 4.20) to the general buoyancy flux equation. Equivalently, this is making the flare plume height equal to that associated with a conventional stack.
The buoyancy flux from the flare is:

F = (g*Hr)/(π*ρ*T*Cp) = 2.59 *(10^-3)*Hr/T

where:

g = acceleration due to gravity = 9.81 (m/s2)

ρ = density of air = 1.2 (kg/m3)
T = air temperature (°K)
Cp = specific heat of dry air constant = 1004 (J/(Kg °K)

The buoyancy flux for stack releases is:

F = g*Vs*(rs^2)*(Ts-T)/Ts

where:

Vs = exit velocity (m/s)

rs = stack inner radius (m)
Ts = stack exit temperature (°K)

Setting these two equations equal, solving for the stack diameter (2*rs), substituting the above values for the constants, and converting from meters to feet:

ds = 0.1066*[(Ts/(T*(Ts-T))*(Hr/Vs)]^0.5 (ft)

NOTE 1: All parameters in the above equations are in mks units. The calculation worksheet automatically converts input to these working units.
NOTE 2: The equations presented herein are equivalent to those presented by Trinity Consultants.

The Ideal Gas Law and emission rate determination

One form of the Ideal Gas Law is:

P = (ρRT)/M
or
ρ = (PM/RT)

where, using metric units:

ρ = mass density of gas (g/m3)

P = pressure of gas = 101.325 kPa
M = molecular weight of gas = 64.1 g/mole for SO2
R = gas constant = 8.314 J/mole/°K
T = temperature (°K)

The emission rate can thus be expressed as:

emis rate = gas flow rate x ρ

NOTE 1: The gas flow rate is converted to metric units (m3/sec), yielding an emission rate in g/sec. This is subsequently converted to English units (lb/hr).
NOTE 2: The gas flow and density should be expressed for the same standard temperature and pressure (STP) conditions. Herein, it is 70°F (294°K) and 1 atm (101.325 kPascal).