Leaks to Flare

[TomX]

Hellow,
My problem is trying to evaluate the leaks to the flare in a natural gas plant. The fact is that several valves (ball and control valves) are leaking, which is easily checked because inmediatly downstream of the valve, there is ice covering a small portion of the pipe.
Solving the problem implicates to follow the maintenance programs and verify if the valves are the most appropiate for the service.
At the end of the day, if a deepest program of reducing leaks is going to be implemented, then is necessary to have any idea of the money lost on any time basis.
There are equipmentes, instrument or any experience on making this estimations/measurements in a not very intrusive way?
Thanks a lot.

 

[Homayun]

what is it you are asking us then? I don't quit understand your problem! Is it that you want to be able to measure the leakages?
In that case, is there a flow meter in the main flare header? If yes, why not using this?

 

[TomX]

Hi Homayun,
There are no meters installed in the flare header, and yes, Im wondering if is possible to have any idea of the amount of leakages to the flare...(ton/year, or US$/year, just to justify the implementation of reduction of leakages strategies...something like LDAR leak detection and repair)

 

[25362]

Have a look at

http://www.epa.gov/ttn/chief/ap42/ch14/related/methane.pdf

to get ideas. Good luck.

 

[khan101]

I guess you have to start with your valves to flare system and see what kind of shut off class they have. I would recomment a class VI shutoff on your flare system.