Thermal Radiation and Noise Safety Assessment of an Offshore Platform Vent Pipe

Lai Xuejiang,Yang Yi,Huang Li,Li Liang

doi:10.11648/j.jeece.20210603.16

Abstract

The purpose of the offshore platform vent pipe is to release the excess associated gas produced by the oilfield production process in a safe place. Based on the characteristics of the vent pipe of offshore oil platform and the potential hazards of the vent pipe to some working points on the platform caused by sudden emergency discharge, this paper focuses on the analysis of the thermal radiation and noise of each working point on the offshore platform, the thermal radiation and noise of the calculation point were simulated by Flaresim 6.0. The evaluation method is based on the guidelines for pressure relief and decompression systems recommended by the American Petroleum Institute (API RP 521). The simulation results of Flaresim software show that the thermal radiation and noise values of the main working points on the offshore platform meet the requirements of the limits. However, in order to avoid high temperature phenomenon on the surface of the equipment in the working area, low absorptivity coating or protective layer should be used on the surface of the equipment. When vent pipe is empty, the staff should return to the room as far as possible or must wear sound insulation earplug for protection to meet the noise safety assessment. Through the detailed analysis of thermal radiation and noise safety design of offshore platform vent pipe, this study provides an effective reference for similar vent pipe or flare system design projects in the future.

Highlights

The vent pipe is to directly and safely discharge the gas which cannot be economically utilized, discharged from normal production and discharged in fault state into the atmosphere
Lai Xuejiang et al.: Thermal Radiation and Noise Safety Assessment of an Offshore Platform Vent Pipe h is the convective heat transfer coefficient which is calculated from a series of empirical correlations that are a function of air velocity
The vent pipe outlet should be designed into a noise reducing tip

Summary

Introduction

The vent pipe is to directly and safely discharge the gas which cannot be economically utilized, discharged from normal production and discharged in fault state into the atmosphere. If one of the following conditions is met, vent pipe can be selected instead of flare system. Vent pipe emergency assessment method is based on the pressure-relieving and de-pressuring systems guidelines (API RP 521 [3]) recommended United States Petroleum Association. Flaresim Ver. 6.0 calculates the thermal radiation and noise values of vent pipe. As the sudden emergency relief takes place, thermal radiation and noise safety assessment of an offshore platform vent pipe is necessary. The thermal radiation and the noise are released when the vent pipe discharges. According to the platform general layout, a few key points are selected.

Cold Vent Diffusion Simulation and Analysis

Calculation Parameter

Radiation Criteria

Noise Analysis

Conclusion