Can I identify a flare with a performance issue: Optical Gas Imaging

Summary

InfraredA wavelength just greater than that of the red end of the visible light spectrum but less than that of microwaves. Infrared radiationhas a wavelength from about 800nm to 1… Learn more… cameras are used to observe gas emitted from a flare stack. Where combustion efficiency is low the gas can be seen as a visible ‘black’ plume dispersing from the stack. The method utilises the same technology as used for leak detection and repair activities (LDAR) but is non quantitative.

How it works 

• Technician observes flares with a forward looking infrared camera from the ground and qualitatively assesses flare performance.
• Methane and other hydrocarbons from unlit, venting flares appear as black plumes.
• Poorly combusting flares have visible hydrocarbon slip.
• OGI flare surveys can be incorporated into leak detection and repair programs.
• Technician training and survey protocols are critical because the height and radiative heat of flares increase the difficulty of detecting emissions.

Uintah Basin survey

• OGI detection limits were assessed with controlled release testing at the Methane Emissions Technology Evaluation Center. Detection limits increased with technician experience but decreased with distance.
• Over 3,000 well pads in the Uintah Basin (U.S.) were surveyed with ground-based and helicopter-based OGI. Emissions were detected at 31% of sites with ground surveys, but only 0.5% with aerial surveys due to the higher detection limit.