Flare Gas Recovery for Refineries
Flare gas recovery systems that return routine refinery flare gas to the fuel gas system.
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Routine flare gas back into the refinery
CRA's flare gas recovery systems capture the steady flow of gas that reaches a refinery flare every day and return it to the fuel gas system, while the flare stays ready for emergency relief.
Recovery method
Compressor or eductor
Flare availability
Unrestricted
Sizing basis
Routine flow profile
Integration
Existing flare header
How does flare gas recovery work at a refinery?
Purges, leaking relief valves and small vents send a steady flow of gas into a refinery's flare header. A flare gas recovery system draws this routine flow off the header before it reaches the flare and compresses it for reuse. When a larger relief event exceeds what the system can take, the excess goes to the flare as before.
How it works
The system ties into the flare header upstream of the water seal, and the flare stays in place for relief.
The recovery system draws the routine flow from the flare header.
Liquids are separated before the gas is compressed.
A compressor or eductor raises the gas to the pressure of the fuel gas system.
The recovered gas goes to the fuel gas system or back to the process.
Flows above the recovery capacity pass to the flare as before.
Key Benefits
Routine flare gas goes back to the plant and stops being burned at the flare.
Recovered gas replaces purchased fuel in the refinery's heaters and boilers.
Less flaring means less carbon dioxide and smoke from the flare.
The flare remains available for emergency relief at all times.
The system ties into the refinery's existing flare header.
The CRA Edge
CRA has more than 30 years of experience in gas handling and flare engineering.
Design, R&D and manufacturing are carried out under one roof.
ISO 9001 certified through TÜV NORD, with designs aligned with ASME, API and CE.
Designs are customised to the process needs and the regulations that apply at site.
Applications
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a flare gas recovery system recover?
It recovers the routine gas that flows to the flare from purges, leaking valves and small vents, and returns it to the fuel gas system or process.
Does flare gas recovery affect plant safety?
The system is designed to take only the routine flow, so the flare stays available for every relief event.
Which recovery method does CRA use?
CRA uses a compressor or an eductor, chosen from the routine flow profile and the pressures available at site.
What data does CRA need to size a flare gas recovery system?
CRA needs a record of the routine flare flow and its composition, the header pressure, and where the recovered gas will go.
Can recovery be added to an operating flare system?
Yes. The system ties into the refinery's existing flare header.