How to select the flow rate of propane-butane for the effective burning of natural gas with low methane content using a flare

Abstract

The paper discusses the problems related to the burning of gas mixtures containing flammable and non-flammable gases using a flare. Before being burned, such a gas mixture must be “enriched” with other flammable gases before it can be directed to the flare. In the case of some Polish gas reservoirs such as Cychry or Sulęcin, the composition of the gas mixture doesn’t make it possible to burn it using the flare because the content of inflammable components is too high and the gas mixture is inflammable. The gas from the reservoirs mentioned above contains above 90 percent of nitrogen and small percentages of flammable components. Sometimes, besides nitrogen, the gas mixture contains other inflammable gases like carbon dioxide, helium, and oxygen. Usually, the propane/butane is used for that purpose. The possibility of burning the gas mixture using the flare is particularly important if the toxic gases are present in the mixture – hydrogen sulfide in particular. The propane/butane gases are added to the stream of gas mixture meant for burning using a special appliance. The typical arrangement of a gas-burning installation (i.e. the flare) is shown and the destination of its components is discussed. The empirical formula is provided which allows us to recognize if the gas mixture is flammable or not. The composition of the gas mixture must be known to calculate the propane/butane flow rate, including percentages of flammable and inflammable components. The algorithm constructed for calculating the propane/butane flow rate is presented, which must be maintained to assure the flammability of the gas mixture destined for burning using the flare. The results of the calculations for four gas mixtures from the Polish gas reservoirs are provided. The presented method of determining the flammability of gas mixtures (or its inability to be burned) and the flow rate of the propane/butane mixture required for complete combustion is based on empirical relationships, which are provided in the paper and may be helpful in planning the assisted combustion of low methane gases (not suitable for further use) using a flare.