(44c) Soot Generation of Olefin and Alkane Flares

Anan Wang¹, Helen H. Lou^1*, Daniel Chen ¹, XianChangLi ², Christopher B. Martin³

^{(1)Dan F. Smith Department of Chemical Engineering, Lamar University, Beaumont, TX, (2)Mechanical, Lamar University, Beaumont, TX, (3)Chemistry and Biochemistry, Lamar University, Beaumont,}

Abstract

Flares are used to combust unwanted natural gas or hydrocarbon by-products of petroleum refining and chemical manufacturing. Recently, flare operations have been scrutinized due to their potential environmental impacts. Industrial flares may generate black carbon i.e. soot. However, the prediction of soot generation from flares is tricky due to fundamental combustion chemistry.

In this work, detail comparison of soot precursor species and soot yields between olefin and alkane flares were conducted based on the combustion chemistry. Optimal settings of controlled variables, including flow rate of steam/air assist and flow rate of make-up fuel, were identified in order to minimize soot yields.