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provided pursuant to a License Agreement containing restrictions on use.
Softbits Consultants Ltd reserves the right to make changes to this manual or its
accompanying software without obligation to notify any person or organisation.
WARRANTY
Softbits Consultants Ltd or its agents will replace any defective manual, program disks
within 90 days of purchase of the product providing that proof of purchase is evident.
Neither Softbits Consultants Ltd nor its agents or dealers make any warranty, implied or
otherwise, with respect to the software or results generated by the software.
This program is intended for use by a qualified engineer to aid the design and analysis of
flare systems. The results calculated by this program may not be reliable if the input data
has not been appropriately specified or if the program is used without regard to its
documented limitations.
It is the responsibility of the user to interpret the results generated by this program. Softbits
Consultants Ltd shall bear no liability for special, indirect, incidental, consequential,
exemplary or punitive damages arising from use of this software.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Softbits Consultants Ltd would like to thank Mr. John F. Straitz III and the National Airoil
Company and GBA Ltd of Slough for assistance with some algorithms within the software.
Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7 are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
Copyright Softbits Consultants Ltd, 1989, 1990, 2002, 2006, 2008, 2010
Table of Contents
1 Introduction.................................................. 1-1
1.1 Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4
1.2 Program Overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-7
1.3 Documentation Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-13
2 Installation.................................................... 2-1
2.1 Installation Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3
2.2 Installing Flaresim-Single User . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-4
2.3 Installing Flaresim - Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-25
2.4 Flaresim File Locations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-40
4 Interface........................................................ 4-1
4.1 Terminology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-3
4.2 Menu Bar. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-7
4.3 Multiple Case Views . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-10
4.4 Tool Bars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-11
4.5 Log Panels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-14
4.6 File Dialogs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-15
4.7 About View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-20
1
5 General Setup .............................................. 5-1
5.1 Case Navigator View. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3
5.2 Case Summary View. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-8
5.3 Setup Wizard. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-10
5.4 Preferences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-26
5.5 Component Management View . . . . . . . . . . . 5-40
7 Environment................................................. 7-1
7.1 Environment View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-4
7.2 Environment Summary View . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-15
2
11 Shields........................................................ 11-1
11.1 Shield View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-4
11.2 Rectangle Builder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-11
11.3 Polygon Builder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-13
11.4 Pit / Hut Builder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-15
11.5 Transform View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-17
3
A Graphic Report Layout............................... A-1
A.1 Introduction to XML . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-4
A.2 Layout File Structure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-6
4
Introduction 1-1
1 Introduction
Page
1.1 Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
1-1
1-2
1-2
Introduction 1-3
1-3
1-4 Features
1.1 Features
The following features highlight the main capabilities of Flaresim.
• Equally applicable to the design of flare systems for offshore
platforms, gas plants, refineries and chemical plants.
1-4
Introduction 1-5
1-5
1-6 Features
1-6
Introduction 1-7
Flaresim provides a Case Navigator view, see Figure 1-1, that shows
a tree structure of all the objects that have been defined in a given
model and provides a rapid overview of which ones are currently
complete and in use.
Case Navigator Icons Figure 1-1, Case Summary view
Required object
present and ready
Required object
missing or not ready
Optional object
Permanent object
Object ready
Object ignored
1-7
1-8 Program Overview
Case Summary
Each model contains a single Case Summary object which defines
descriptive information.
Fluids
A model can contain multiple fluid objects. Each object describes
the physical properties of a fluid to be flared such as density, lower
heating value, lower explosive limit etc. Fluids may be defined
either by entering bulk properties or by defining the composition of
the fluid to allow calculation of its properties from pure component
data. A single fluid can be flared through multiple tips.
Environments
A model can contain multiple environment objects each of which
describes a combination of wind speed, direction, humidity etc. The
variation of wind speed with direction can also be defined to support
wind rose calculations. Environment characteristics can also be
defined for use in dispersion calculations. Only one environment
object can be active for a set of calculations.
Stacks
Multiple stack objects can be defined which may be active or
ignored in any set of calculations. Stack data includes length,
location and orientation. Each stack may support multiple flare tips.
Tips
Multiple tip objects can be defined and set active or ignored in a set
of calculations. Tip data includes tip type and associated calculation
methods, dimensions and stack location data and the flow and
selection of the fluid being flared. Tip objects provide access to
flame shape and other tip specific results such as combustion gas
composition and purge gas requirements.
Receptor Points
Multiple receptor point objects can be defined and then set active or
ignored in a set of calculations. Receptor point data includes
1-8
Introduction 1-9
Receptor Grids
Multiple receptor grid objects can be defined and then activated or
ignored in a set of calculations. Receptor grid data includes
orientation, location and coarseness data as well as characteristics
for surface temperature calculations. Receptor grid objects provide
access to their calculated results including contour plots of radiation,
noise, surface temperature and gas dispersion.
Assist Fluids
Multiple assist fluid objects may be defined and selected for one or
more flare tips. Data includes assist fluid type and calculation
method to be used.
Shields
Multiple shield objects may be defined to model the reduction in
radiation and noise through the installation of water sprays and solid
shields. The transmissivity of water sprays can be specified by the
user or calculated using an internal correlation. Shields can also be
defined to model burn pits or protective locations.
Dispersions
Multiple dispersion objects may be defined to model the dispersion
of combustion gases and flare fluids over long distances using a
Gaussian dispersion model. Either concentration contour plots for a
single pollutant or a downwind plot for multiple pollutants can be
calculated.
Overlays
Overlay objects allow simple drawings to be created to act as
background pictures for contour plots produced by the Receptor
Grid and Dispersion objects.
1-9
1-10 Program Overview
Calculation Options
A single calculation options object defines the correlations to be
used in the calculations. It also provides for control of stack sizing
options, heat transfer options to be used for temperature calculations
and default emissions data. A data fitting option is also available.
Component Management
A component library manager object allows maintenance of the pure
component database.
Some objects have more data items than will fit on a single form so
their views have been divided into multiple tabs.
For example the Tip view as shown in Figure 1-2 has tabs for
Details, Noise Input, Location & Dimensions, Fluids, Emissions,
Results, Noise Results, Flame Shape, Combustion Results and
Purge Gas. Individual tabs are selected by clicking on their name.
1-10
Introduction 1-11
Calculations are started by clicking the button at the top of the Case
Navigator. This button is also used to display the progress of
1-11
1-12 Program Overview
calculations and the status of the model. When the Case Navigator
is closed the icon can be clicked to run the model. Progress of
calculations and any problems encountered are reported in the right
hand Message window at the bottom of the Flaresim screen.
Once complete a case can be saved using the Save and Save As
buttons in the Case Navigator tool bar.
1-12
Introduction 1-13
1-13
1-14 Documentation Overview
1-14
Installation 2-1
2 Installation
Page
2.1 Installation Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
2.1.1 Package Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
2.1.2 System Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
2-1
2-2
2-2
Installation 2-3
Item Requirement
2-3
2-4 Installing Flaresim-Single User
2-4
Installation 2-5
2-5
2-6 Installing Flaresim-Single User
2-6
Installation 2-7
2-7
2-8 Installing Flaresim-Single User
Once the accept option has been selected the Next button
will be activated and should be clicked to continue the
installation. The following screen, Figure 2-5, will appear.
If you do not wish to accept the license terms then click the
Cancel button to exit the setup program without installing
Flaresim. The license terms must be accepted before the
program will install.
2-8
Installation 2-9
2-9
2-10 Installing Flaresim-Single User
11. On this screen for a full installation select the Typical option
and click Next.
2-10
Installation 2-11
13. The setup program will show the progress of the installation
as files are copied from the CD Rom to your install folder as
shown below.
2-11
2-12 Installing Flaresim-Single User
15. When you have entered the license file name, click the
Install button. If the license file has been correctly installed
the following message will be displayed. Click the Ok
button to finish the license installation process and close the
license installer.
2-12
Installation 2-13
The Sentinel Drivers are not required for using Flaresim through a
network license or for a short term standalone license when the
license will be locked to a specific PC hard disk. If this is the case
click the Cancel button and skip to section 2.2.5..
2-13
2-14 Installing Flaresim-Single User
19. The next screen, Figure 2-13, allows you to select the
installation type.
2-14
Installation 2-15
2-15
2-16 Installing Flaresim-Single User
21. The next screen will indicate that the Sentinel Protection
Installer is ready to begin. Click the Install button to start it.
23. At this point you are ready to install your Computer ID key.
2-16
Installation 2-17
If you do not have a license file see the instructions in the following
section, 2.2.6, to obtain one.
2-17
2-18 Installing Flaresim-Single User
4. When you have entered the license file name, click the
Install button. If the license file has been correctly installed
the following message will be displayed. Click the Ok
2-18
Installation 2-19
Full License
If you have a full license for Flaresim you will have been supplied
with a security key. The security key and its associated license file
2-19
2-20 Installing Flaresim-Single User
If you have a short term lease or demo license for Flaresim you will
not have a security key. A license file will be supplied to activate
Flaresim for the single PC on which it is installed and for a limited
period.
2-20
Installation 2-21
3. Clear all the Locking Criteria check boxes except that for
Disk ID as shown above. Note the Locking Data displayed
at the bottom of the screen. If the Locking Criteria check
boxes have been set correctly, the Locking Data selector
will be 0x4. Unless otherwise instructed ensure that the
radio button at the bottom of the view is set to “New Style”
to generate a long 16 character code.
2-21
2-22 Installing Flaresim-Single User
The first of these problems can be tested for by running the program
wechoid.exe which can be found in the support sub-folder of the
Flaresim program folder (normally C:\Program Files\Flaresim 3.0).
2-22
Installation 2-23
2-23
2-24 Installing Flaresim-Single User
2-24
Installation 2-25
IMPORTANT NOTE
2-25
2-26 Installing Flaresim - Network
Alternatively you can click the Start button select Run and
then type [Drive]:\Server\Setup\Setup.exe where [Drive] is
the drive letter of your CD. Hit Enter to start the setup
program.
2-26
Installation 2-27
2-27
2-28 Installing Flaresim - Network
2-28
Installation 2-29
2-29
2-30 Installing Flaresim - Network
Select the check box and click Next. The following screen
will be displayed.
2-30
Installation 2-31
10. This confirms that you are ready to begin installation of the
Sentinel RMS server software. Click the Install button.
2-31
2-32 Installing Flaresim - Network
11. At this point the server software is installed and the server
service will have been started. Click the Finish button to
close the window.
12. You may wish to confirm that the server service has
installed correctly by checking the list of running processes
through the Task Manager. The server service is called
lservnt.exe.
2-32
Installation 2-33
2-33
2-34 Installing Flaresim - Network
2-34
Installation 2-35
5. Left click on the To Server and its File option. Select your
license file (.lic extension) in the browser and click Open.
Your license should be added to the server and displayed in
the tree below the server name.
2-35
2-36 Installing Flaresim - Network
2-36
Installation 2-37
If the license file will not install when the wechoid.exe output shows
that the security device is visible then there may be a problem with
the license file and you should contact support@flaresim.com.
You are now ready to run the Flaresim by selecting it through the
windows Start menu.
2-37
2-38 Installing Flaresim - Network
If you see this message you should click the Ok button to close the
window.
The following check list offers possible reasons why Flaresim might
not be able to locate the license server to obtain a license.
• All available licenses are in use.
• Client system does not have network access to the server.
• Server may not be active.
If the Flaresim server can be seen, open the Flaresim license to check
whether there is a license available. If all are in use the client must
wait until a license becomes free. It can take up to 5 minutes for a
license to become free after another user has shut down Flaresim.
2-38
Installation 2-39
If the WlmAdmin program does not list a Flaresim server when run
on the client then the problem likely lies in the client system not
having network access to the server. You will need to check all
elements of the network routing (e.g. firewalls, routers) to ensure
that the server can be seen by the client system.
2-39
2-40 Flaresim File Locations
2-40
Installation 2-41
2-41
2-42 Flaresim File Locations
2-42
Getting Started 3-1
3 Getting Started
Page
3.1 Simple Flare Stack Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
3.1.1 Objective and Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
3.1.2 Initial Setup. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
3.1.3 Initial Calculations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
3.1.4 Print Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
3-1
3-2
3-2
Getting Started 3-3
3-3
3-4 Simple Flare Stack Design
Tip Diameter 18 in
3-4
Getting Started 3-5
or the New File icon on the tool bar to create a new case
with the Setup Wizard.
3. In the opening view of the Setup Wizard, set the unit set to
Default Field as shown. Then click the Next button to move
to the Fluid definition tab.
4. In the Fluid tab of the Setup Wizard enter the following data
items, using the tab key or the mouse to move from field to
field.
Temperature = 300 F
Mole Weight = 46.1
LHV = 21500 btu/lb
Cp/Cv = 1.1
3-5
3-6 Simple Flare Stack Design
LEL is used only by the value. When you entered a value the colour changes to blue
Brzustowski flare radiation
method. denoting a user specified value.
3-6
Getting Started 3-7
have been given is the lower, net heating value rather than
the higher, gross heating value.
5. In the Tip tab select the radio button to set the tip type to a
Pipe Tip. In the table for selection of F Factor method select
the check box to select the Generic Pipe method.
6. Still in the Tip tab, enter the Fluid Mass Flow Rate as
100,000 lb/hr. After this entry has been completed, the Tip
Diameter field is updated to show the tip diameter required
for the default Mach number of 0.45. In our case we know
the tip diameter is 18 in so we update the calculated value to
18 in. The Mach number will be updated to 0.199 to
indicate the velocity for the new diameter.
3-7
3-8 Simple Flare Stack Design
7. In the next tab, the Environment tab, enter the wind speed.
Since the value we have been given is 20 mph we first click
the entry displaying ft/s and select mph in the drop down
menu before entering the value. If we wish to see the value
in ft/s then click again in the units entry and select ft/s to
display the converted value of 29.33 ft/s.
The humidity value is only The remaining items can be left at their default values
used when calculating the
transmissivity.
namely Wind Direction as 0 (i.e. North), Temperature 59 F,
Humidity 10% and the User Transmissivity 1.0 with the
Transmissivity Method set to “User specified”. Note this
default transmissivity method with a specified transmissiv-
ity value of 1.0 is the most conservative option.
3-8
Getting Started 3-9
The final input is to remove the tick from the check box
labelled “Include Solar Radiation” which means that the
specified solar radiation value will NOT be added to the cal-
culated value of flare radiation.
3-9
3-10 Simple Flare Stack Design
8. In the Stack tab, select the radio button to set the Vertical
Orientation to 60 degrees from horizontal. Then set the
Stack Horizontal Orientation angle to 0 (i.e. North). The
Stack Length will be left unspecified to let Flaresim
calculate it.
3-10
Getting Started 3-11
10. In the Calculations tab, select the check box to set the
Calculation Method to Mixed and set the Flame Elements to
25.
3-11
3-12 Simple Flare Stack Design
11. When the Finish button is clicked, the Setup Wizard takes
the data we have supplied and uses it to create the Flaresim
objects that we need for our initial model. The Case
Navigator view will be displayed to list all of these objects
as shown in Figure 3-8. Note that the icon is shown
against each object indicating it is ready to calculate and
that the icon is shown against the key object branches to
indicate that the model has the minimum information
needed to run calculations.
3-12
Getting Started 3-13
3-13
3-14 Simple Flare Stack Design
Note that the scroll bars can be used to review earlier mes-
sages. Also the log window can be resized by dragging the
separator bar above it.
14. We can now review the results. Double click the Grid 1 item
in the Case Summary view and then click the Radiation tab.
Then select Plot in the Display drop down. The radiation
isopleths are displayed as shown below.
3-14
Getting Started 3-15
Click Stack 1 in the Case Navigator view and click the View
button. The view will show that the stack length has been
calculated as 247ft.
3-15
3-16 Simple Flare Stack Design
17. Select the report elements you wish to see printed. To see
what the report will look like with the current set of
elements you will need to click the Refresh button to update
it.
3-16
Getting Started 3-17
18. When you are happy with the options you have chosen click
the Print button to send the report to your default printer.
3-17
3-18 Sonic Tip Design
The fluid data, environmental data and radiation limits are the same
as for Example 1.
3-18
Getting Started 3-19
4. On the Details tab of the Tip view that opens enter the
following data:
5. On the Noise Input tab of the Tip view enter the following
data:
On Stack = Stack_1
Length = 3.0ft
Angle to Horizontal = 90
Angle to North = 0
Exit Diameter = 18in
Riser Diameter = 18in
Contraction Coefficient = 1.0 (default)
Exit Loss Coefficient = 1.0 (default)
Roughness = 9.843e-4in (default)
Calc Burner Opening = Selected
8. At this point the Status Text at the bottom of the Tip view
should indicate that the tip data is complete. Close the view.
3-19
3-20 Sonic Tip Design
11. We are now ready to review the results. Open the Stack
view for the Main Stack. The new length calculated for the
stack is 68ft.
3-20
Getting Started 3-21
14. Generate a report for this new case using the Print tool bar
button.
16. Find the Tip Data - Results section in the reports. The
fraction of heat radiated value for the Pipe flare design is
0.35 while that for the Sonic design is 0.1.
3-21
3-22 Sonic Tip Design
17. Still in the Tip Data - Results section of the reports find the
flame length. For the Pipe flare design this is 173 ft. while
for the Sonic flare design the flame length is 88ft. Note that
the flame length calculated by the API method is the same
in both cases.
Sonic flare tips by their design and by their greater gas exit
velocities lead to a flame shape that is shorter and stiffer
compared to that of a pipe flare. As a result the flame is less
affected by wind and stays closer to the tip and thus further
from the platform. This can be seen most clearly by compar-
ing the 3D plot of the Flame Shape in the reports.
Finally in the Tip Results section of the reports find the tip
back pressure i.e. tip inlet pressure. For the Pipe flare this is
14.7 psi while for the Sonic flare it is 26.0 psi.
3-22
Getting Started 3-23
However we have also seen that the sonic flare tip results in higher
back pressures on the flare system. In many cases this additional
back pressure will be too high to allow safe relief from all the
possible relief sources in the process. Therefore it is common to see
designs with both high and low pressure flare systems relieving
through different tips.
3-23
3-24 Two Tip Design
3-24
Getting Started 3-25
8. Open the Tip view for the Pipe tip. You will see on the
Details tab that the fraction of heat radiated from this tip has
been calculated as 0.38 whereas before it was 0.35. The
reason for this is the greatly reduced velocity, 0.02 mach,
through the tip which reduces the tips efficiency. For
efficient operation the velocity should be 0.2 mach or
higher.
10. Now recalculate the case. The new exit velocity is 0.25
mach and the fraction of heat radiated is now 0.34. The
improvement in efficiency of this flare reduces the
calculated size of the stack to 90ft.
3-25
3-26 Working With Isopleths
Our model already has one receptor grid called Grid 1. This was
automatically generated for us by the Setup Wizard. It shows a plan
view around our flare stack at the grade elevation i.e. 0ft. Since the
Helideck is the main area of interest we will update this grid to the
correct elevation.
3-26
Getting Started 3-27
6. Re-run the case. When the run is complete you will be able
to inspect the isopleth plot by opening the grid view,
clicking on the Radiation tab and then selecting Plot as the
Display option. Similar plots for noise and surface
temperatures can be found on the Noise and Temperature
tabs.
When your updates are complete you can click the button at
the bottom of the Customise window to copy your changes
to other isopleths of the same type.
3-27
3-28 Working With Isopleths
3-28
Getting Started 3-29
window that must be closed before you can use other parts
of Flaresim.
3-29
3-30 Working With Isopleths
will list the output location of the saved files. Note the
layout file used will be that specified on the Graphic Report
tab for each receptor grid.
11. In the Case Navigator, select the Overlay branch and click
the Add button. A new overlay object called Overlay 1 will
be created and displayed. Change the name to “Helideck
Plan”.
3-30
Getting Started 3-31
13. Select the Editor tab and click the zoom in and zoom
out buttons and/or resize the view until you can see the
full drawing. Check the Show Stacks check box to display
the location of the stack in the drawing to act as a guideline.
Not this will not form part of the drawing.
16. Click the ellipse button and draw a circle within the
helideck rectangle by moving to the point -50, -100,
clicking and holding the left mouse button and dragging to
the point 30, -180.
17. Click the text button and then click the drawing in the
middle of the helideck circle. A vertical flashing bar will
appear to indicate the text insertion point. Type the letter H
and then hit the enter key to complete the text entry.
If the text is too small, click the select button and then
select the text you have just entered. A set of selection
points will appear around it to indicate that it has been
selected. Now click the properties drop down menu
and select the Text Font option to open a standard font dia-
log to allow the text size and style to be defined. A size of
around 24 pt is probably suitable.
3-31
3-32 Working With Isopleths
18. Next open the “Helideck Plan” Receptor Grid and go to the
Plot Overlay tab. Select the Use Flaresim Overlay radio
button and then in the drop down menu that appears select
the overlay we have just created, “Helideck Plan”. Finally
tick the Show Overlay check box.
3-32
Getting Started 3-33
19. Save the case. The overlay file we have created will be
automatically saved in the Flaresim case folder (i.e. the sub
folder created with the same name as the Flaresim case
which contains the report data) with the file extension
“.fso”.
3-33
3-34 Working With Isopleths
You can now click the Preview radio button to see the
imported graphic file together with a blue outline rectangle
which shows the extents of the current receptor grid on the
drawing.
23. Reselect the Details radio button and set the Show Overlay
check box. Move to the Radiation tab and you should see
your overlay displayed on the isopleth as shown below.
3-34
Getting Started 3-35
3-35
3-36 Welltest Burner Design
Tip Diameter 12 in
3-36
Getting Started 3-37
3-37
3-38 Welltest Burner Design
6. Enter data for the new stack as follows, leaving other entries
at their default values;
3-38
Getting Started 3-39
8. On the Details tab of the Tip view enter the following data;
10. On the Fluids tab select the Fluid as Welltest Liquid and
enter the flow rate as 30,000 lb/hr. Close the view.
3-39
3-40 Welltest Burner Design
14. Open the Receptor Summary view. The results, see Figure
3-24, show that the radiation limits for our original two
critical locations that we have defined are met. The
radiation at the base of the well test burner stack is 1406
btu/hr/ft2.
3-40
Getting Started 3-41
3-41
3-42 Welltest Burner Design
17. Enter data in the Details tab of the new Shield view as
follows;
18. Select the Sections tab. The first section is already created
for you. In the lower half of this view click the Add Vertex
button 4 times to create a rectangular shield section with 4
corners or vertices.
3-42
Getting Started 3-43
20. The Shield view should now show that the shield data setup
is complete. Run the updated case and inspect the results.
3-43
3-44 Welltest Burner Design
21. Open the view for the Base Welltest Stack receptor point
and select the Properties tab. Update the data as follows;
Emissivity = 0.7,
Absorbtivity = 0.7,
Area Ratio = 2.0,
Mass = 10.4 lb/ft2,
Mass Cp = 0.1075 btu/lb/ft,
Initial Temperature = 60F.
3-44
Getting Started 3-45
22. Select the Water Curtain shield object in the Case Navigator
and click the Ignore button. Then run the calculations.
24. Select the Main Stack, Stack 1 in the Case Navigator view
and click the Activate button to restore it to the calculations.
You will probably find that the stack is not ready to run
since its length was originally being calculated we have
been running the case with the stack set to ignored. Set the
stack length to 90ft, the value calculated in Example 3.
3-45
3-46 Welltest Burner Design
3-46
Getting Started 3-47
Flared Fluid
Mechanical Data
Environment Data
Temperature 15 C
Wind 10 m/s from North
3-47
3-48 Gas Dispersion
Our objective will be to analyse the gas dispersion around the flare
in normal operation and flame out conditions.
Select the European units set on the opening page for easy
of entering the remaining data. Work through the Fluid, Tip,
Environment and Stack tabs entering the data defined
above. Once you have entered the Stack data you can click
the Finish button to accept the default data for Receptors
and Calculation options. Skip to step 3.
Name = Elevation
Grid Plane = Elevation-Northing
Grid Offset = 0m
Elevation Minimum = -100m
Elevation Maximum = 300m
3-48
Getting Started 3-49
3-49
3-50 Gas Dispersion
Return to the Concentrations tab and you should see the fol-
lowing, more accurate result.
3-50
Getting Started 3-51
3-51
3-52 Gas Dispersion
9. Select the Results tab and then the Plot option for the
display. The plot shows the ground level concentration
contours for H2S downwind of the stack as shown below
3-52
Getting Started 3-53
You will see that the H2S concentrations are higher closer to
the flare when atmosphere is more turbulent and when
urban terrain classification is used. The sensitivity of the
results to these parameters shows the necessity of selecting
the appropriate environment settings for your particular
flare location.
11. In the Case Navigator select the Dispersion branch and click
Add to create a new dispersion object. In the Input Data tab
of its view enter the following data.
12. Select the Pollutant tab. Select the SO2, NO, CO and
Methane pollutants for calculation by checking the box
alongside these components.
Some of the components in this list, the CO2, H2O, SO2 are
calculated directly from combustion of the components in
the flared gas. The Fluid view, Combustion Results tab
shows the stoichiometric fraction of each of these compo-
nents generated by combustion of the flared gas.
3-53
3-54 Gas Dispersion
Set the Combustion Air ratio to 3.0 and clear the specified
flame temperature.
14. Open the Environment view and set the Atm. Stability Class
to PasquillB.
15. Return to the Combustion Gas Results tab of the Tip view to
see the calculated flame temperature of 721 C and the
combustion gas compositions.
3-54
Getting Started 3-55
3-55
3-56 Gas Dispersion
3-56
Interface 4-1
4 Interface
Page
4.1 Terminology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
4-1
4-2
4-2
Interface 4-3
The Flaresim interface has been designed to give you a great deal of
flexibility in the way in which you enter, modify and view the data
and results which comprise your flare models. This chapter
describes the various components of the Flaresim interface. If you
need help with any particular task, the on-line help can give you
step-by-step instructions.
4.1 Terminology
The following view of the Flaresim screen shows most of the
interface components that you will encounter.
Menu bar
Multiple
Tool bars
Case
Views
Active
button Object
Views
Greyed
button Tabs
Radio button
Case
Navigator
Drop down
List
Input
Status text Tables
Value with
Units
Popup menu
4-3
4-4 Terminology
Menu Bar
The menu bar provides access to various program functions that are
not specific to a particular Case. The options are described in more
detail in section 4.2.
Tool Bars
The tool bar is a row of icons that provide quick access to the more
commonly used program functions. Flaresim has one tool bar for the
main program and each Case has a tool bar with options specific to
it in the Case Navigator. The options are described in more detail in
section 4.4.
Case Navigator
The Case Navigator provides a summary view of all of the objects
in a Flaresim Case displayed in a tree structure. It also provides a
local tool bar of program options that are specific to the case as well
as buttons to access various program functions such as adding,
deleting, copying, viewing, activating and ignoring objects as well
as starting calculations.
Active Button
Buttons appear on most forms and may be clicked with the left
mouse button to perform the action indicated. Active buttons are
those where the label type is black.
Greyed Button
Buttons which have an action that cannot be performed at a
particular time are displayed with the label type in grey.
4-4
Interface 4-5
PopUp Menu
PopUp menus are used to display additional choices in response to
clicking buttons or clicking the right mouse button.
View
This is the term used to describe a window containing a group of
data entry fields for a specific element of the program. Views in
Flaresim are generally non-modal which means that multiple views
can be open and used at the same time.
Status Text
Many views have a status field at the bottom to indicate whether all
the necessary entries have been made. The background to this text
indicates the status, green indicates ready to calculate, red indicates
missing data, yellow indicates that the object is ignored.
Tabs
Some views have more data entry items than will fit on a typical size
window. Tabs are a way of subdividing the entries into groups
within the view. Clicking a tab heading displays the group.
Input Tables
The majority of data for Flaresim cases is entered through Input
Tables. These group together related items which may either be
values with associated units, drop down selection menus, check
boxes or simple text. Generally the values entered will be checked
for validity on leaving each cell in the Table.
4-5
4-6 Terminology
The units initially displayed by an Input Table are the default units
defined through the Preferences View, see section 5.4. The current
units for an individual value can be reselected at any time to display
the value converted to that unit. The current displayed unit will be
used to convert any number input to the internal units used by
Flaresim. When an Input Table is completely refreshed e.g.
following a calculation, the default units will be displayed again.
This allows values to be entered in a mixture of units.
Check Box
A check box is used to select options that can be either on or off.
Clicking a check box once will display a tick in the box indicating
that the option is on, also known as setting the check box. Clicking
the box again will clear the tick indicating that the option is off.
Radio Buttons
Radio buttons are used to select one option from a group of mutually
exclusive options. Clicking one radio button in a group will select
that option and automatically deselect all the other options.
Scroll Bars
Where a list or a view is not large enough to display all the items
required scroll bars will appear. The up and down arrows may be
clicked to move through the view to display all the items.
4-6
Interface 4-7
The Menu Bar provides access to the Flaresim program actions. The
row of main menu items at the top of the main Flaresim window
provides access to drop down menus as shown in Figure 4-2.
4-7
4-8 Menu Bar
4-8
Interface 4-9
4-9
4-10 Multiple Case Views
Clicking the button of this set minimises the case view to just
an icon at the bottom of the Flaresim view. In the icon view the left
button changes to and clicking this restores the case view to its
previous size. Clicking the button maximises the case view to
the full size of the Flaresim window, covering any other case views
that might be open. Again the button will be replaced by a
button and clicking this will restore the standard window size.
Finally the button will close the case.
The Windows menu (see above) provides a list of the currently open
cases and allows rapid switching between them. It also provides
options for arranging the case view windows on the screen.
4-10
Interface 4-11
This icon saves the current selected case. If the case has an
name and has already been saved it will be overwritten. If it
is a new case a File - Save As dialog will open. A message
indicating success or failure will be written to the File
Management Log.
This icon saves the current selected case with a new name. A
File - Save As dialog will open to allow the file name to be
specified. A message indicating success or failure will be
written to the File Management Log.
This icon opens the Report View for the current selected case
and to allow printing of the case.
4-11
4-12 Tool Bars
This large button starts the calculations for the case. Once
started, the button displays a progress bar for the
calculations. On completion the background colour shows
the status of the calculation results, green for success, red for
failure. A pale orange background indicates that data has
changed since the last calculation.
This icon saves the case. If the case has an name and has
already been saved it will be overwritten. If it is a new case
a File - Save As dialog will open. A message indicating
success or failure will be written to the File Management
Log.
This icon saves the case with a new name. A File - Save As
dialog will open to allow the file name to be specified. A
message indicating success or failure will be written to the
File Management Log.
4-12
Interface 4-13
Vertical tool bar buttons in the Case Navigator summary are the
same as in the standard Case Navigator with the following additions.
This icon expands the Case Navigator to its normal size.
This icon starts the calculations for the case. The colour of
the tool bar background indicates the case status, green for
calculated with results available and pale orange for not
calculated.
4-13
4-14 Log Panels
The log panels at the bottom of the Flaresim main window are used
to output messages from the program. There are two panels.
The left panel is known as the File Management Log and records
details of file creation, file retrieval and file saving actions.
The size of the log panels can be set by moving the cursor to the top
boundary of the panels or the boundary between the panels. At the
point where the cursor changes to a pair of resizing arrows, the left
mouse button may be clicked and dragged to resize the panel.
Both panels provide a popup menu with local options that can be
opened by clicking the right mouse button. The popup menu
provides the following options:
Clear - clears all messages from the log.
4-14
Interface 4-15
Filename
Combo box
Allows you to enter the name of the file to save the Flaresim model
to. As you type the name, the drop down list element of the combo
4-15
4-16 File Dialogs
box allows you to select an existing file that matches the name to
overwrite if you wish.
The file name entered will be given the extension type specified in
the Save As Type field unless you enter a different file extension.
Save As Type
Drop down List of allowed file types
Allows you to select the required file type.
Save In
Drop down List of available storage locations
Allows you to select from the list of available storage locations
configured for your computer system.
File List
List Box
Shows the files and folders in the current folder. The list may be
used to navigate the folder tree or to select files.
Folders can be opened and made the new current folder by double
clicking on them. You can move up the folder tree by clicking the
Previous Folder icon. New folders can be created by clicking the
New Folder icon and entering the new folder name in the File List.
4-16
Interface 4-17
Save
Button
Saves the file once you have entered the name or selected a file to
overwrite. If the file selected already exists you will be asked to
confirm that it should be overwritten.
Cancel
Button
Cancels the file save.
New Folder -
Icon
Creates a new sub-folder in the current folder. The folder will be
created with the default name “New Folder” and you will then be
able to rename as required.
4-17
4-18 File Dialogs
The elements of this dialog are essentially the same as the File Save
Dialog with the exception that the Save button is replaced by an
Open button.
4-18
Interface 4-19
4-19
4-20 About View
Ok
Button
Closes the About view.
4-20
General Setup 5-1
5 General Setup
Page
5.1 Case Navigator View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
5.1.1 Command Buttons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
5.1.2 Tool Bar Buttons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
5.1.3 Tree Icons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
5.4 Preferences. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
5.4.1 Units Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
5.4.2 Files & Options Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
5.4.3 Plots Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
5-1
5-2
5-2
General Setup 5-3
The Case Navigator view shows the Flaresim model as a tree with
the branches showing the different types of object that make up the
model.
5-3
5-4 Case Navigator View
Calculate
This button at the top of the Case Navigator view may be labelled
“Click to Calculate”, “Rating Complete” or “Sizing Complete”
depending on the current state of the case. It may be clicked at any
time to start calculations.
View
Opens the view for the selected object to allow its data to be viewed
or updated.
Add
Creates a new object of the selected type and opens its view ready
for data input. If an existing object is selected in the tree rather than
the parent branch, a new object of the same type is created.
Activate
Clears the ignored status for the selected object which restores it to
the calculations. Not all objects can be ignored and restored and this
button will be greyed out if the action cannot be applied to the
selected object.
Ignore
Sets the ignored status for the selected object which means that it
will not be included in the calculations. Not all objects can be
5-4
General Setup 5-5
ignored and restored and this button will be greyed out if the action
cannot be applied to the selected object.
Copy
A new object of the same type as the selected object will be created
and its contents set to the same values as the selected object. Not all
objects can be copied and this button will be greyed out if the action
cannot be applied to the selected object.
Delete
Deletes the selected object. No confirmation is required. Not all
objects can be deleted and this button will be greyed out if the
selected object is a permanent part of the case e.g. the Case
Description.
This icon saves the case. If the case has an name and has
already been saved it will be overwritten. If it is a new case
a File - Save As dialog will open. A message indicating
success or failure will be written to the File Management
Log.
This icon saves the case with a new name. A File - Save As
dialog will open to allow the file name to be specified. A
message indicating success or failure will be written to the
File Management Log.
5-5
5-6 Case Navigator View
Vertical tool bar buttons in the Case Navigator summary are the
same as in the standard Case Navigator with the following additions.
This icon expands the Case Navigator to its normal size.
This icon starts the calculations for the case. The colour of
the tool bar background is
5-6
General Setup 5-7
5-7
5-8 Case Summary View
5-8
General Setup 5-9
Description
Text
Descriptive information relevant to the model. For example it is
good practice to note sources of environmental data and the
contingencies represented by the fluid data.
5-9
5-10 Setup Wizard
The Setup Wizard provides pages or tabs that allow the user to
define in turn the fluid to be flared, details of the flare tip,
environment details, details of the flare stack, location of critical
receptor points and the calculation options to be used. Each page
must be completed before the user can move to the next page. Where
possible default data values and options are provided to allow the
setup of a new case to be made as simple as possible. When the final
page is completed and the Finish button is selected the wizard will
automatically create the Flaresim objects required to define the case.
Summary Panel
This provides a summary of the data input provided so far.
Help Panel
This region provides additional information about the selected data
entry field and will change as different fields are selected. The
5-10
General Setup 5-11
information provided may explain why the data item is required and
indicate the range of values allowed as well as typical values.
Command buttons
These allow the user to move from page to page of the Setup Wizard.
The Finish button is only available when all of the required
information has been entered
Page Tabs
Summary
Panel
Data Entry
Panel
Command
Buttons
Help Panel
Page Tabs
These display the status of each section of the Setup Wizard. The
icons used, and have the same meanings as in the Case
Navigator view, section 5.1. The Page Tabs also allow the user to
move between completed pages of the Setup Wizard.
5-11
5-12 Setup Wizard
The drop down list only allows selection from existing unit sets. To
create and customise the contents of units sets the File - Preferences
menu option can be used, see section 5.4
5-12
General Setup 5-13
5-13
5-14 Setup Wizard
Property Calculation
Radio Buttons
These buttons control how the fluid properties are to be obtained. If
the Specified Properties option is selected then the bulk properties of
the fluid must be input using the Fluid Properties table as shown in
Figure 5-5. Otherwise if the Compositional option is selected the
view will change to allow the fluid composition to be specified from
which the fluid properties will be calculated.
5-14
General Setup 5-15
Fluid Properties - Pc
Range 0.001 to 1000 bar a
This defines the critical pressure of the fluid. It is used in the
calculation of fluid temperatures and densities. Entry of this value is
optional as an internal correlation will be used to estimate the fluids
Pc if this value is not provided.
Fluid Properties - Tc
Range 2 to 1000 K
This defines the critical temperature of the fluid. It is used in the
calculation of fluid temperatures and densities. Entry of this value is
optional as an internal correlation will be used to estimate the fluids
Tc if this value is not provided.
5-15
5-16 Setup Wizard
Composition Basis
Radio Buttons
These buttons select the composition input basis either Mole
fraction or Mass fraction
Normalise Composition
Button
Clicking this button will normalise the current composition.
Unspecified component fractions will be set to 0.0 and the remainder
normalised so to give a total fraction of 1.0.
5-16
General Setup 5-17
Tip Type
Radio Buttons
This allows selection of the tip type to be used either a Pipe Tip or
Sonic tip. If unknown the default Pipe tip will provide the most
conservative option.
5-17
5-18 Setup Wizard
F Factor Method
Check box
Selects the method that will be used to calculate the fraction of
combustion heat that will be radiated from the flame. The F Factor
is sometimes known as the emissivity of the flame. The default
Generic Pipe method is a conservative general purpose method. The
High Efficiency method should only be used for high efficiency tips
in good condition burning low molecular weight fluids.
5-18
General Setup 5-19
5-19
5-20 Setup Wizard
Environment - Temperature
Range 10 to 500 K
The environmental temperature. The value is used in surface
temperature calculations and gas dispersion calculations.
Environment - Humidity
Range 04 to 100%
The environmental humidity. The humidity value is used in
calculations of the attenuation in radiation due to the atmosphere i.e.
the transmissivity calculation. It is only used when the
Transmissivity is set to Calculated. The default value of 10% is
reasonably conservative.
5-20
General Setup 5-21
Angle To Vertical
Range 0 to 90 degrees
The angle of the stack to the horizontal. Use this field if your stack
is not at one of the standard angles.
5-21
5-22 Setup Wizard
Stack Length
Range 0 to 1000m
The length of the stack. Leaving the value empty will cause the
Setup Wizard to create a Sizing case where the stack length will be
calculated to meet a defined limiting value for the radiation.
5-22
General Setup 5-23
Receptor ID
Descriptive Name
The default name provided e.g. RP_1 can be updated with a more
descriptive name e.g. Stack Base.
Northing
Range -1000 to 1000m
The location of the receptor point in the Northing direction.
5-23
5-24 Setup Wizard
Easting
Range -1000 to 1000m
The location of the receptor point Easting direction.
Elevation
Range -500 to 500m
The height of the receptor point. Cases defined through the Setup
Wizard define the 0 elevation point as the base of the stack so this is
the height of the receptor point above or below the stack base.
Allowable Radiation
Range 0 to 31560 W/m2
The radiation that is allowed at the receptor point. The table of
typical design values shown on this page provides a general guide to
the selection of appropriate values.
Add Button
Button
Clicking this button adds a new receptor point to the model.
Delete Button
Button
Clicking this button deletes the current selected receptor point.
5-24
General Setup 5-25
Calculation Method
Check box
This allows selection of the calculation method to be used. The
default Flaresim API method should generally give a conservative
result using industry standard methods. The Mixed method with 25
Flame elements is recommended as a good general alternative.
5-25
5-26 Preferences
5.4 Preferences
The File - Preferences menu item provides access to the Preferences
View to allow setup of the preferred units, file locations and
graphical plot elements.
5-26
General Setup 5-27
Flaresim uses the concept of a Unit Set which defines all of the units
to be used for a single case. Two Unit Sets, the Default SI and
Default Field sets are provided as basic sets that cannot be changed.
A third European unit set is provided which can be modified. New
Unit Sets can be created by copying an existing Unit Set and then
customising it.
5-27
5-28 Preferences
5-28
General Setup 5-29
5-29
5-30 Preferences
5-30
General Setup 5-31
The default layout file selected here can be reset for individual
receptor grids or dispersion objects on the Graphic Report tab of the
relevant view.
The contents of the .lay files describe the location and formatting of
isopleth charts and accompanying data items and descriptive text
using XML syntax. The XML elements recognised in these files are
described in Appendix A of this manual.
5-31
5-32 Preferences
5-32
General Setup 5-33
Plot Type
Drop Down List: Radiation Isopleth / Noise Isopleth / Temperature
Isopleth / Concentration Isopleth / Dispersion Plot / Wind Rose Plot
This drop down list selects the type of plot that the customisation
options displayed will be applied to.
The customisation options are viewed and updated through three sub
tabs, for Plot Details, Contour Details and Text Details.
On the Plot Details tab, see Figure 5-15, it is possible to set the
following options.
5-33
5-34 Preferences
5-34
General Setup 5-35
5-35
5-36 Preferences
5-36
General Setup 5-37
The Text Details tab, see Figure 5-18, allows the following settings
to be defined.
5-37
5-38 Preferences
Not all of the defined properties may be supported for all of the text
elements. Where a property cannot be set it will be grayed out while
that text element is selected.
5-38
General Setup 5-39
5-39
5-40 Component Management View
5-40
General Setup 5-41
The options on the Properties tab are shown in Figure 5-20 above.
Mole Weight
Range: 2 to 1000
The molecular weight of the component.
LHV
Range: 0 to 200MJ/kg
The net, or lower heating value of the component. It is a common
error in the design of flare systems to use the gross heating value.
Cp / Cv
Range: 1.01 to 5.0
The ratio of the specific heat capacities of the component. If the
value is unknown we would recommend using a value of 1.2.
5-41
5-42 Component Management View
Saturation
Range: 0 to 100%
The percentage saturation of the component.
LEL
Range: 0.0 to 100.0%
The lower flammability limit of the component as a volume
percentage.
Critical Temperature
Range: 10 to 10,000 K
The critical temperature of the component.
Critical Pressure
Range: 0.01 to 1,000 bara
The critical pressure of the component.
On the Structure tab of the component data entry view the number
of atoms of each listed atom in the component should be entered, an
example for Methane is shown below.
5-42
General Setup 5-43
The data entry table for the enthalpy coefficients allows the enthalpy
unit for each constant to be selected but the values entered will
always be based on a temperature in K.
Once the component property data has been defined click the Accept
Edit button to complete definition of the new component. If for any
reason you wish to abandon creation of a new component at the
property data entry stage then click the Cancel Edit button.
To remove a component from the library, select it in the list and click
the Remove Selected Component button.
5-43
5-44 Component Management View
5-44
Fluids 6-1
6 Fluids
Page
6.1 Fluid View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
6.1.1 Common Fields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
6.1.2 Properties Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
6.1.3 Composition Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
6.1.4 Combustion Results Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
6-1
6-2
6-2
Fluids 6-3
Fluid objects may be created using the Fluid option from the Add
drop down menu or by selecting the Fluid branch in the Case
Navigator view and clicking the Add button.
The Assist Fluid object both identifies the additional fluids that may
be fed to a flare tip to improve combustion and also defines the
information needed to calculate the flow of the assist fluid required.
Like Fluid objects, Assist Fluids are included in the calculations
only when assigned to a flare tip.
Assist Fluid objects may be created using the Assist Fluid menu
option from the Add drop down menu or by selecting the Assist
Fluid branch in the Case Navigator view and clicking the Add
button.
6-3
6-4 Fluid View
Status Text
Status message
The message displayed in this field and its colour indicates whether
the data for this fluid object is complete and ready for calculation.
6-4
Fluids 6-5
Conditions - Temperature
Range: 10 to 1000K
The temperature of the fluid at the tip exit. Note that this is the
temperature of the fluid at the defined reference pressure.
For most hydrocarbon fluids without inerts this value will be of the
order of 46 MJ/kg.
Properties - Cp / Cv
Range: 1.0 to 5.0
This field defines the ratio of the specific heat capacities of the fluid.
It is only required and used when the fluid is a vapour.
6-5
6-6 Fluid View
Properties - LEL
Range: 0.0 to 100.0%
The lower flammability limit of the fluid as a volume percentage.
Properties - Saturation
Range: 0 to 100%
The percentage of saturated hydrocarbon molecules in the fluid on a
mole basis. This is used by the Flaresim method for estimation of the
fraction of heat radiated by a flame (emissivity). It is not used by any
of the other methods in which case any value may be entered.
6-6
Fluids 6-7
6-7
6-8 Fluid View
Composition Basis
Radio Button: Mass/Mole
This radio button selects the basis for the composition data. Note
that changing it does not convert any existing component fraction
data to the new basis.
6-8
Fluids 6-9
6-9
6-10 Fluid View
6-10
Fluids 6-11
Name
Text
Enter a name to identify this assist fluid.
Status Text
Status message
The message displayed in this field and its colour indicates whether
the data for this Assist Fluid object is complete and ready for
calculation.
Type
Drop down list: Air / Steam/Water
Selects the type of assist fluid to be used. Steam/Water indicates that
Steam will be used with vapour flares and Water with liquid flares.
Flow Calculations
Drop down list: User / Smokeless
If this is set to User then a specific flow rate for the Assist Fluid will
need to be specified when the Assist Fluid is assigned to a Tip. If set
to Smokeless then the flow rate of the Assist Fluid will be calculated
according to the following settings as shown in Figure 6-6.
6-11
6-12 Assist Fluid View
Smokeless Method
Drop down list: Flaresim/API/UserRatio
Selects the method to be used by Flaresim to calculate the flow of
assist fluid required for smokeless operation. The Flaresim method
is a propriatory correlation supplied by National Air Oil. The API
method is the method described in API RP521. The UserRatio
allows the user to specify the flow ratio of assist fluid required for
smokeless operation.
The validity of these options varies with the type of assist fluid
selected.
Air The allowed methods are Flaresim and UserRatio. If
the API method is selected an error message will
displayed when the model is calculated.
Steam/Water Any of the allowed methods may be used.
When Air is the assist fluid, high ratios of 5.0 or more may be used.
When Steam/Water is the assist fluid the mass ratio should not
6-12
Fluids 6-13
exceed 0.5 since this would lead to flame instability and a potential
flameout.
6-13
6-14 Assist Fluid View
6-14
Environment 7-1
7 Environment
Page
7.1 Environment View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
7.1.1 Common Fields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
7.1.2 Overall Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
7.1.3 Wind Rose Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
7.1.4 Dispersion Data Tab. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
7-1
7-2
7-2
Environment 7-3
7-3
7-4 Environment View
Ignored
Check box
Clear to select this Environment object for calculations or set it to
ignore this Environment object. Only one Environment can be active
7-4
Environment 7-5
Status Text
Status message
The message displayed in this field and its colour indicates whether
the data for this Environment object is complete and ready for
calculation.
Wind - Speed
Range: 0 to 100 m/s
A constant wind speed is assumed.
Beaufort
knots mph ft/s m/s
Scale
7-5
7-6 Environment View
Beaufort
knots mph ft/s m/s
Scale
Wind - Direction
Range: 0 to 360 ° from North
The direction from which the wind blows. Generally the worst or
most prevalent wind direction can be determined by examination of
the wind rose for the site in question.
Atmosphere - Temperature
Range: 10 to 500K
The ambient temperature of the atmosphere is used in the calculation
of the equilibrium surface temperatures of metallic surfaces exposed
to the flare’s thermal radiation. It is also used in gas dispersion
calculations.
Atmosphere - Humidity
Range: 4 to 100%
The relative humidity defines the water content of the atmosphere in
terms of the partial pressure of water vapour in the air relative to the
vapour pressure of water at the same temperature. Standard charts
are available relating the wet and dry bulb temperature
measurements to the relative humidity, an example of which can be
found in “The Chemical Engineers Handbook”. The humidity value
is used in calculation of Transmissivity as described below.
Atmosphere - Pressure
Range: 0.01 to 10.0 bar a
The atmospheric pressure is used to calculate the exit density of the
flared gas and hence its exit velocity.
7-6
Environment 7-7
Solar Radiation
Location
(W/m2)
UK Land 630-800
Background - Noise
Range: 0 to 150 dB
The background noise is used as a reference noise level to which the
noise from the flare system is added.
The following table gives typical noise levels for everyday
situations.
0 Threshold of hearing
10 Virtual silence
20 Quiet room
30 Watch ticking at 1m
40 Quiet street
50 Quiet conversation
60 Quiet motor at 1m
70 Loud conversation
80 Door slamming
7-7
7-8 Environment View
Transmissivity - Method
Options: User/Calculated/CalcNoLimits/Wayne
The value for the atmospheric transmissivity may be either specified
by the user or calculated. The calculation method used is described
in section 14.1.5 and estimates transmissivity as a function of the
relative humidity at the site and the distance of the receptor from the
flame. The correlation is strictly valid for distances between 30-164
m (100-500 ft) and for relative humidities greater than 10%. Outside
of these ranges the correlation may still give acceptable results.
7-8
Environment 7-9
set to 30m (100ft) and distances greater than 164m (500 ft) set to
164m. The minimum and maximum values of transmissivity used
during the calculations will be displayed.
Transmissivity - Value
Range: 0 to 1.0
Atmospheric transmissivity defines the degree of attenuation of the
thermal radiation due to atmospheric conditions. It is expressed as
the fraction of the radiation which is received at the receptor point.
It must be specified if the Transmissivity Method is set to User.
7-9
7-10 Environment View
7-10
Environment 7-11
Figure 7-2, Wind Rose Tab, Range of speeds for all directions
When this option is selected, multiple lines, one for each wind speed
will appear on the Wind Rose plots for each Receptor point.
When this option is selected, a single line will appear on the Wind
Rose plots for each Receptor point.
7-11
7-12 Environment View
Figure 7-3, Wind Rose Tab, Specified speed for each direction
7-12
Environment 7-13
7-13
7-14 Environment View
7-14
Environment 7-15
The view provides a summary of the basic information for all the
Environment Objects in the case and can be used to update input
data items as well as review results.
Export Table
Button
Clicking this button opens a File Save dialog to allow the
Environments summary table to be saved as a comma separated
value (CSV) file, an Excel format file (XLS) or tab separated text
file(TXT).
7-15
7-16 Environment Summary View
7-16
Stacks 8-1
8 Stacks
Page
8.1 Stack View. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
8-1
8-2
8-2
Stacks 8-3
Stack objects may be created selecting the Stack menu option in the
Add Items drop down menu or by selecting the Stack branch in the
Case Navigator and clicking the Add button.
A Stack Summary view showing the main details of all of the Stack
objects in a case can be displayed by double-clicking the Stack
collection branch in the Case Navigator or by selecting the Stack
collection branch and clicking the Case Navigator View button.
8-3
8-4 Stack View
Name
Text
Enter a name to identify this stack object. The entry will be
automatically processed to remove any characters that are not
allowed in file names.
Ignored
Check box
Clear to include this stack in the calculations or set to ignore this
stack when calculating. The effect of setting this check box will be
to exclude the stack and all of the tips that are located on it from the
calculations.
8-4
Stacks 8-5
Status Text
Status message
The message displayed in this field and its colour indicates whether
the data for this stack object is complete and ready for calculation.
Location - Relative To
Drop down list of existing locations
Allows the location of the stack base to be defined relative to another
object in the model, for example another stack. If left blank the
location is relative to the base point of the model at 0,0,0.
The following fields then define the location of the stack base
relative to this location in either Cartesian or polar coordinates.
Location - Northing
Range: -100,000 to 100,000m
The distance of the base of the stack North of the selected reference
location. Updates made to this value will automatically update the
polar coordinate values.
Location - Easting
Range: -100,000 to 100,000m
The distance of the base of the stack East of the selected reference
location. Updates made to this value will automatically update the
polar coordinate values.
Location - Elevation
Range: -100,000 to 100,000m
The height of the base of the stack above or below the selected
reference location. Updates made to this value will automatically
update the polar coordinate values.
Location - Radius
Range: 0 to 100,000m
The distance to the base of the stack from the selected reference
location. Updates made to this value will automatically update the
Cartesian coordinate values.
8-5
8-6 Stack View
Dimensions - Length
Range: 0 to 500m
The centre line length of the stack from the base to the tip support
platform. If the stack is selected for sizing this value will be ignored.
8-6
Stacks 8-7
Size Me
Check box
Setting this check box automatically selects this stack for a sizing
calculation. Note that only one stack can be selected for sizing at a
time so this check box will be cleared on all other stacks when it is
set. The stack that is currently being sized can be viewed on the
Sizing tab of the Calculation Options view.
8-7
8-8 Stack Summary View
The Stack Summary view shows the input data and results for all of
the stacks in the case. Data input values can be updated through the
summary view if required.
Export Table
Button
Clicking this button opens a File Save dialog to allow the Stacks
summary table to be saved as a comma separated value (CSV) file,
an Excel format file (XLS) or tab separated text file(TXT).
8-8
Tips 9-1
9 Tips
Page
9.1 Tip View. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
9.1.1 Common Fields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
9.1.2 Details Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
9.1.3 Noise Input Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
9.1.4 Location & Dimensions Tab . . . . . . . . . . . 14
9.1.5 Fluids Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
9.1.6 Emissions Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
9.1.7 Results Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
9.1.8 Noise Results Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
9.1.9 Flame Shape Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
9.1.10 Combustion Results Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
9.1.11 Purge Gas Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
9-1
9-2
9-2
Tips 9-3
The Tip object allows definition of data to describe each flare tip. A
flare tip acts as the disposal point for a single fluid. Multiple flare
tips on one or more stacks may be present in a flare system to dispose
separately of fluids due to incompatible properties e.g. warm and
cold fluids, high and low pressure fluids, dry and wet fluids.
Tip objects may be created using the Add-Tip drop down menu
option or by selecting the Tip branch in the Case Navigator view and
clicking the Add button.
A Tip Summary view showing the main details of all of the Tip
objects in a case can be displayed by double-clicking the Tip
collection branch in the Case Navigator or by selecting the Tip
collection branch and clicking the Case Navigator View button.
9-3
9-4 Tip View
Status Text
Status message
The message displayed in this field and its colour indicates whether
the data for this tip object is complete and ready for calculation.
9-4
Tips 9-5
Ignored
Check box
Clear to include this tip in the calculations or set to ignore this tip
when calculating.
For gases, either the pipe or sonic tip types may be selected. Pipe
flares are the simplest type of tip and may be specified for both high
and low pressure gases. If the pressure available is greater than 2 bar
(30 psi) at the tip then a sonic tip can be utilised. Sonic flare tips have
the advantage of low flame emissivities due to more efficient
combustion of the flare gas. For lower pressures a pipe flare is
generally used possibly with steam or air assistance (see 6.2).
9-5
9-6 Tip View
Figure 9-2 shows the general design concept for the fluidic seal. The
type selection is a function of the opening as defined below
Fluidic1: 50% of total area
Fluidic2: 40% of total area
Fluidic3: 35% of total area.
Opening
Diameter
9-6
Tips 9-7
Figure 9-3 shows the general design concept for the molecular seal.
The type selection is a function of the diameter as defined below:-
Molec.1: Traditional design. Maximum diameter is 1.7 times
the tip diameter. The pressure drop correlation is
based on a design which gives a body length of 5.5m
(18ft) regardless of the tip diameter.
Molec.2: Low pressure drop design. Maximum diameter is 2
times the tip diameter. The pressure drop correlation
is based on a design which gives a body length which
is a function of the tip diameter.
Diameter
9-7
9-8 Tip View
This input is not available for all radiation methods. Even where it is
possible to update it, this entry should normally be left at its default
value of 50%.
9-8
Tips 9-9
Defines the method used to calculate the fraction of the total net heat
release from the flame which is radiated. This was labelled
emissivity in Flaresim prior to version 1.1. It is also known as the F
Factor.
Modified. Chamberlain
Correlation based on mole weight and exit velocity.
9-9
9-10 Tip View
Typical values for different types of flare tip are given in the
following table.
9-10
Tips 9-11
Tip Type I1 I2
User Multiplier
Range 0 to 2
User defined value of constant I1 for flame length equation given
above. This entry is only accessible when a User Specified flame
length method is selected.
9-11
9-12 Tip View
User Power
Range 0 to 2
User defined value of constant I2 for flame length equation given
above. This entry is only accessible when a User Specified flame
length method is selected.
9-12
Tips 9-13
Peak Frequency
Drop down list: 62.5, 125, 250, 500, 1000, 2000 Hz
This defines the sound frequency band at which the peak noise is
generated. The total sound power calculated at this frequency will be
distributed across the other sound frequency bands.
Efficiency
Range 1.0e-10 to 1.0%
The efficiency at which combustion energy is converted to sound
power.
9-13
9-14 Tip View
Reference. Duty
Range: 1 to 1,000 MW
Defines the reference heat release corresponding to the sound power
data defined in the Sound Power Table.
9-14
Tips 9-15
Note if the length is set to 0m the defined tip angles to horizontal and
vertical will still be used to calculate the vector for the fluid jet
leaving the tip, not the stack angles.
A value of 100% is generally used for pipe flares. For sonic flares
the value should be adjusted to ensure that the exit velocity is just
9-15
9-16 Tip View
sonic at the design flare rate. For liquid burners the value should be
adjusted to calculate the correct exit velocity.
The tip exit pressure is used to calculate the properties of the gas at
the exit and hence the velocity of the fluid.
9-16
Tips 9-17
Size Me
Button
The Size Me button opens a pop up window to allow the diameter of
the tip to be sized for a specific exit velocity, optionally using
standard pipe sizes. See section 9.2 for details.
9-17
9-18 Tip View
9-18
Tips 9-19
The view above shows the default view of the Emissions tab of the
Tip Object. By default the emissions data for a case is defined for all
tips on the Emissions page of the Calculation Options view.
9-19
9-20 Tip View
If the Expert Mode option is set on the General tab of the Calculation
Options view then the emissions input data can be updated on a tip
by tip basis and the view will change to the one shown below.
9-20
Tips 9-21
CO Emission - Basis
Drop down list: Mass/Heat Release / Mass/Mass Flared Fluid /
Mass/Moles Flared Fluid
This field defines the basis used to calculate the CO emission rate.
This is either as a ratio to the heat released by the flare, the mass of
flared fluid or the moles (volume) of flared fluid.
CO Emission - Rate
Range depends on basis
The generation rate for CO emissions for the defined basis.
9-21
9-22 Tip View
9-22
Tips 9-23
The Total pressure reported is the static pressure plus the pressure
resulting from the fluids momentum.
9-23
9-24 Tip View
Display
Drop down list: Table / Plot
Selects whether the noise spectrum results are displayed as a table or
as a graph.
9-24
Tips 9-25
Noise Spectrum
Calculated Values
This table or graph shows the noise generated as a function of the
sound frequency. The results show the contribution from
combustion noise and jet noise as well as the total noise at each
defined frequency.
Export
Button
Allows the noise spectrum data to be saved. If the noise spectrum is
currently displayed as a table, a standard file dialog box will be
displayed to allow the data to be saved as an Excel XLS file or a
comma separated CSV file. If the data is displayed as a plot it may
be saved as a graphics file. A standard file dialog box will appear to
allow the name and file type to be entered. The allowed file types are
JPG, PNG, BMP, WMF or EMF.
9-25
9-26 Tip View
9-26
Tips 9-27
Display
Drop down list: Table / 3D Plot / 2D Plot - North vs. East / 2D Plot
- North vs. Elevation / 2D Plot - East vs. Elevation
Allows selection of the display method for the flame shape results.
Export
Button
Allows the flame shape data to be saved to an external file. If the
data is displayed as a table it may be saved to an Excel XLS file or
a comma separated CSV file. If it is displayed as a plot, the data may
be saved to a JPG, PNG, BMP, WMF or EMF graphics file. In either
case a standard file dialog box will appear to allow the name and file
type to be entered.
9-27
9-28 Tip View
9-28
Tips 9-29
The basic combustion gases, CO2, H2O and others such as SO2 are
calculated directly from the defined fluid composition. The number
of each type of atom in each component is defined in their structure
in the component database. The combustion products for each atom
type are in the component library and this is used to determine the
quantity of combustion gases generated. Any additional steam assist
fluid is added to the quantity of H2O present.
9-29
9-30 Tip View
9-30
Tips 9-31
Note that all calculations are based on the stack diameter not the tip
diameter using purge gas properties calculated at the temperature
and pressure defined for the currently selected environment.
9-31
9-32 Size Tip View
Figure 9-15
9-32
Tips 9-33
Note this field will be inactive when the Use Nominal Diameter
setting is Yes.
Nominal Diameter
List box: Nominal pipe diameters for STD schedule pipes
This list box can be used to select the nominal diameter for the Tip
assuming that it is a STD schedule pipe. The actual diameter will
then be set by look up from the nominal diameter.
9-33
9-34 Tip Summary View
The Tip Summary view provides a view of the main input data items
and results for all of the Tips in a case. Input data items can be
updated through the summary view.
Export Table
Button
Clicking this button opens a File Save dialog to allow the
Environments summary table to be saved as a comma separated
value (CSV) file, an Excel file (XLS) or tab separated text file
(TXT).
9-34
Receptors 10-1
10 Receptors
Page
10.1 Receptor Point View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
10.1.1 Common Fields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
10.1.2 Point Definition Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
10.1.3 Point Properties Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
10.1.4 Point Results Tab. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
10.1.5 Noise Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
10.1.6 Wind Rose Results. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
10-1
Receptors 10-2
Page
10-2
Receptors 10-3
Receptors are the points at which Flaresim will calculate the thermal
radiation, noise and surface temperatures resulting from the
operation of one or more flare tips. Flaresim provides the ability to
define Receptor Point objects which define a single point for the
calculations and Receptor Grid objects which define a rectangular
set of points in a plane.
Receptor Point objects will be calculated unless they have been set
to Ignored. A Receptor Point may be set to ignored by selecting it in
the Case Navigator view and clicking the Ignore button.or restored
to the calculations clicking the Activate button. Alternatively a
Receptor Point object can be ignored and restored by setting or
clearing the check box on its view.
10-3
10-4 Receptor Point View
10-4
Receptors 10-5
Ignored
Check box
Clear to calculate the results for this Receptor Point or set to ignore
this point when calculating.
Location - Relative To
Drop down list of existing locations
Allows the location of the receptor point to be defined relative to
another object in the model, for example the base of a stack. If left
blank the location is relative to the origin point of the model at 0,0,0.
The following fields then define the location of the stack base
relative to this location in either cartesian or polar coordinates.
10-5
10-6 Receptor Point View
Design
Radiation Conditions
W/m2
10-6
Receptors 10-7
Design
Radiation Conditions
W/m2
10-7
10-8 Receptor Point View
10-8
Receptors 10-9
A plate with one face exposed to a flare would have an Area Ratio
of 2.0.
Heat Loss
Point Properties - Mass
E.g. A plate would have an
arearatio of 2.0. Range: 0 to 1,000,000 kg
The mass at the point to be used in the calculation of the rate of
surface temperature rise.
Properties - Mass Cp
Range: 0.1 to 10,000 J/kg/K
The mass specific heat capacity of the material at the point to be used
in the calculation of the rate of surface temperature rise.
On Plane
Drop down list: None / Northing-Easting / Northing-Elevation /
Easting-Elevation / Maximum / User Defined
This entry sets the orientation of the receptor point and it is used to
calculate the angle of incidence of the thermal radiation on the
receptor.
The default setting is None which means that no correction for angle
of incidence will be applied and the full radiation falling on the point
at any angle will be calculated. This is the most conservative option.
The other options are only active when the Expert Mode option is set
in the Calculation Options view.
10-9
10-10 Receptor Point View
Selecting the final option, User Defined, will display the following
table to allow the angle of the receptor point plane to be defined.
10-10
Receptors 10-11
10-11
10-12 Receptor Point View
Export
Button
Allows the calculated curve of time vs. point temperature to be
exported to a file. If the data is displayed as a table it may be
exported to an Excel XLS file or a comma separated CSV file. If
displayed as a graph it may be exported to a JPG, PNG, BMP, WMF
or EMF graphics file. In either case a standard file dialog box will
appear to allow the name and file type to be entered.
10-12
Receptors 10-13
SPL
Calculated Value
The total sound pressure level at the receptor point. It is calculated
by summing the sound pressure contributions at each frequency.
SPLA
Calculated Value
The A-weighted sound pressure level calculated at the receptor
point. It is calculated by summing the A-weighted sound pressure
levels at each frequency.
Average SPL
Calculated Value
The sound pressure level averaged across all the frequencies.
Display
Radio Buttons Table / Plot
Selects whether the sound pressure levels vs. frequency results are
displayed as a table or as a graph.
Export
Button
Allows the calculated sound pressure vs. frequency results to be
exported to a file. If the data is displayed as a table it may be
exported to an Excel XLS file or a comma separated CSV file. If
displayed as a graph it may be exported to a JPG, PNG, BMP, WMF
or EMF graphics file. In either case a standard file dialog box will
appear to allow the name and file type to be entered.
10-13
10-14 Receptor Point View
Display
Drop down list: Table / Plot
This controls whether the results from the wind rose calculations are
displayed as a plot or as a table of results. The view will update to
show the results in the format requested.
Export
Button
Allows the calculated wind rose results to be exported to a file. If the
data is displayed as a table it may be exported to an Excel XLS file
or a comma separated CSV file. If displayed as a graph it may be
exported to a JPG, PNG, BMP, WMF or EMF graphics file. In either
case a standard file dialog box will appear to allow the name and file
type to be entered.
10-14
Receptors 10-15
Button
This opens a standard file open dialog to allow selection of the
layout file for the graphical report of the wind rose plot.
Layout files describe the background text, data items and graphics
formatting instructions required to define a graphics report in an
XML formatted file with the extension .LAY.
10-15
10-16 Receptor Point View
Wind rose graphic reports can be printed using the File - Print
Graphic Report menu item.
10-16
Receptors 10-17
This summary view for the defined Receptor Points allows easy
comparison and update of the data input values and review of the
results across all the points.
Export Table
Button
Clicking this button opens a File Save dialog to allow the Receptor
Points summary table to be saved as a comma separated value (CSV)
file. Files of this data type can be opened easily using Excel or other
applications.
10-17
10-18 Receptor Grid View
Status Text
Status message
The message displayed in this field and its colour indicates whether
the data for this Receptor Grid object is complete and ready for
calculation.
10-18
Receptors 10-19
Ignored
Check box
Clear to calculate the results for this Receptor Grid or set to ignore
this grid when calculating.
Once selected the other fields are used to define the receptor grids
location and extent and the fineness or coarseness of the grid. The
names of these fields will be updated appropriately. For example
when the orientation is set to Northing-Elevation, the offset field
will be titled Easting Offset, the next group of fields will be titled
Northing and the next block Elevation.
Minimum
Range: -10,000 to 10,000 m
The minimum extent of the grid in the labelled direction.
Maximum
Range: -10,000 to 10,000 m
The maximum extent of the grid in the labelled direction.
10-19
10-20 Receptor Grid View
Number of Points
Range: 1 to 1001
The number of increments that the distance between the minimum
and maximum extents will be divided into.
Properties - On Plane
Drop down list: None / Northing-Easting / Northing-Elevation /
Easting-Elevation / Maximum
The orientation of the receptor and is used to determine the
correction to be applied due to the angle of incidence of the receptor
to the flare. This option is only active when the Expert Options
check box is set in the Calculation Options view.
With the default setting of receptor point orientation to None no
correction for angle of incidence will be applied. This is the most
conservative option.
10-20
Receptors 10-21
Display
Drop down list: Table / Plot
Selects whether the thermal radiation results are displayed as a table
or as a graph.
When a new Receptor Grid is created the graph display settings are
set to the defaults defined in the Preferences View, see section 5.4.
They may then be modified by using the Zoom and Customise
buttons as described in chapter 13.
Export
Button
Allows the calculated thermal radiation results to be exported to a
file. If the data is displayed as a table it may be exported to an Excel
XLS file or a comma separated CSV file. If displayed as a graph it
may be exported to a JPG, PNG, BMP, WMF or EMF graphics file.
10-21
10-22 Receptor Grid View
In either case a standard file dialog box will appear to allow the
name and file type to be entered.
10-22
Receptors 10-23
Display
Drop down: Table / Plot
Selects whether the sound pressure results are displayed as a table or
as a graph.
When a new Receptor Grid is created the graph display settings are
set to the defaults defined in the Preferences View, see section 5.4.
They may then be modified by using the Zoom and Customise
buttons as described in chapter 13.
Export
Button
Allows the calculated sound pressure results to be exported to a file.
If the data is displayed as a table it may be exported to an Excel XLS
or comma separated CSV file. If displayed as a graph it may be
exported to a JPG, PNG, BMP, WMF or EMF graphics file. In either
10-23
10-24 Receptor Grid View
case a standard file dialog box will appear to allow the name and file
type to be entered.
Display
Drop down list: Table / Plot
Selects whether the temperature results are displayed as a table or as
a graph.
When a new Receptor Grid is created the graph display settings are
set to the defaults defined in the Preferences View, see section 5.4.
10-24
Receptors 10-25
Export
Button
Allows the calculated temperature results to be exported to a file. If
the data is displayed as a table it may be exported to an Excel XLS
file or a comma separated CSV file. If displayed as a graph it may
be exported to a JPG, PNG, BMP, WMF or EMF graphics file. In
either case a standard file dialog box will appear to allow the name
and file type to be entered.
10-25
10-26 Receptor Grid View
The jet dispersion results are only available when the jet dispersion
calculations are enabled in the Calculation Options view.
Display
Drop down list: Table / Plot
Selects whether the concentration results are displayed as a table or
as a graph.
When a new Receptor Grid is created the graph display settings are
set to the defaults defined in the Preferences View, see section 5.4.
They may then be modified by using the Zoom and Customise
buttons as described in chapter 13.
Export
Button
Allows the calculated concentration results to be exported to a file.
If the data is displayed as a table it may be exported to an Excel XLS
file or a comma separated CSV file. If displayed as a graph it may
be exported to a JPG, PNG, BMP, WMF or EMF graphics file. In
either case a standard file dialog box will appear to allow the name
and file type to be entered.
10-26
Receptors 10-27
File Type
Radio buttons: Use External Overlay File / Use Flaresim Overlay
Two types of overlay file may be used.
10-27
10-28 Receptor Grid View
When the File Type is set to Use External Overlay file the options
are as shown below.
Browse
Button
Clicking this button opens a File Open dialog to allow the external
graphics file to be selected.
10-28
Receptors 10-29
The first two sets of values define the plot dimensions covered by
the external file. The names of the axes displayed are updated as
appropriate to the setting of the Receptor Grid orientation on the
Extent tab.
Show Overlay
Check box
Set this to include the overlay drawing on the isopleth plots for this
Receptor Grid.
Reset Extent
Button
Clicking this button resets the external plot file dimensions to match
those of the Receptor Grid.
10-29
10-30 Receptor Grid View
Assuming our Flaresim model has been run with the stack located at
0, 0 within the model and we have a Receptor Grid defined for the
Northing - Easting plane. The settings required to use the plot
overlay would be
Northing Min = 0m
Northing Max = 2000m
Easting Min = 1000m
Easting Max = 3000m
Flaresim Origin Northing = 1200m
Flaresim Origin Easting = 2600m
10-30
Receptors 10-31
When the File Type is set to Use Flaresim Overlay the options are as
shown below.
Overlay Name
Drop down list: Available Overlay objects
This selects which of the Overlay objects defined in this case is to be
used as the background drawings for the isopleth plots in this
Receptor Grid. No check is made that the Overlay has the correct
orientation.
Show Overlay
Check box
Set this to include the overlay drawing on the isopleth plots for this
Receptor Grid.
10-31
10-32 Receptor Grid View
Button
This opens a standard file open dialog to allow selection of the
layout file for the graphical report.
Layout File
Filename
This defines the name of the graphic report layout file that will be
used to generate graphic reports for this receptor grid. The default
value set when the Receptor Point is created is defined in the Files
tab of the Preferences view.
Layout files describe the background text, data items and graphics
formatting instructions required to define a graphics report in an
XML formatted file with the extension .LAY.
10-32
Receptors 10-33
For rapid output of all types of Graphic Report use the Print -
Graphic Reports menu option.
The Linear option uses the least interpolation and as a result the
points generated will be in closest agreement to the data values in the
grid. However this may result in more jagged looking isopleth
curves if a coarse receptor grid is used i.e. fewer points are
calculated. The BSpline method offers the smoothest curves if a
coarse grid is used but individual points on the curves may not show
such good agreement with the original grid results. The Cubic
method offers an alternative smoothing method.
10-33
10-34 Receptor Grid View
For rapid output of all types of Graphic Report use the Print -
Graphic Reports menu option.
10-34
Shields 11-1
11 Shields
Page
11.1 Shield View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
11.1.1 Common Fields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
11.1.2 Definition Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
11.1.3 Definition Tab - User Water Screen Method 5
11.1.4 Definition Tab - Long Water Screen Method6
11.1.5 Sections Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
11-1
11-2
11-2
Shields 11-3
The Shield object models the use of water sprays or solid shields to
reduce the transmission of radiation and noise. Each shield object is
composed of one or more polygonal shapes or sections. Multiple
sections may be defined to describe complex shield structures such
as a burn pit.
11-3
11-4 Shield View
Status Text
Status message
The message displayed in this field and its colour indicates whether
the data for this shield object is complete and ready for calculation.
11-4
Shields 11-5
Ignored
Check box
Clear to include this shield in the calculations or set to ignore this
shield when calculating.
When this field is set to User the view changes to display the
Transmissivity field to allow the transmissivity to be defined. When
the field is set to Water Screen the view changes to that shown in
Figure 11-2 below.
11-5
11-6 Shield View
Layer Thickness
Range 0.001 to 1000 mm
This field defines the thickness of the water screen. The thickness
will be used to calculate the transmissivity of the water screen as a
function of the thickness and the flame temperature of the flare.
11-6
Shields 11-7
Water Flow
Range 0 to 1000 m3/s
This field defines the water flow rate for the calculation of the water
screen layer thickness using the Long method.
Nozzle Diameter
Range 0 to 1000 mm
This field defines the nozzle diameter for the calculation of the water
screen layer thickness using the Long method.
Number of Nozzles
Range 1 to 100
The number of water spray nozzles used.
Droplet Velocity
Range 1 to 20 m/s
This field defines the droplet velocity to be used in the calculation of
the water screen layer thickness using the Long method.
11-7
11-8 Shield View
Section List
List box: All defined shield sections
The Section List displays all of the shield sections defined for this
shield. Selecting a section in the list updates the Section Details
region with the corresponding information.
11-8
Shields 11-9
When using the shield section editor it is important that the list of
vertices that define the section are entered in a way that each vertex
is directly connected to the preceding vertex in the list in a
continuous clockwise or anti-clockwise direction.
11-9
11-10 Shield View
If vertices are not entered in the correct order their correct extent
cannot be calculated and the radiation and noise reduction results
will be misleading and inaccurate. This can usually be seen as very
irregular isopleths in the Receptor Grid view.
The Sort Vertices button will sort a list of vertices into the correct
order in most cases.
11-10
Shields 11-11
Rectangle - Height
Range 0 to 1000m
The height of the shield section.
Rectangle - Width
Range 0 to 1000m
The width of the shield section.
11-11
11-12 Rectangle Builder
OK
Button
Closes the Rectangle Builder view, accepting the input data. Note
any existing section vertices will be replaced by the new rectangular
section.
Cancel
Button
Closes the Rectangle Builder view, discarding the input data.
11-12
Shields 11-13
Number of Vertices
Range 3 to 100
The number of vertices that will define the extents of the shield
section. The default number of 12 will approximate a circular spray
shield to a reasonable accuracy though a greater number can be used
if required.
Radius
Range 0.1 to 1,000m
The radius of the polygonal shield section i.e. the distance from the
centre of the polygon to each vertex.
11-13
11-14 Polygon Builder
OK
Button
Closes the Polygon Builder view, accepting the input data. Note any
existing section vertices will be replaced by the new polygon data.
Cancel
Button
Closes the Polygon Builder view, discarding the input data.
11-14
Shields 11-15
Details
Radio button: Pit / Hut
Selects whether the view will define data for a pit or a hut.
11-15
11-16 Pit / Hut Builder
Depth / Height
Range 0.1 to 1,000m
The depth of the burn pit or the height of the hut.
OK
Button
Closes the Pit/Hut Builder view, accepting the input data. Note any
existing shield section data will be replaced by the new pit/hut data.
Cancel
Button
Closes the Pit Builder view, discarding the input data.
11-16
Shields 11-17
11-17
11-18 Transform View
OK
Button
This closes the Transform view and applies the specified movement
or rotation to the shield section.
Cancel
Button
Close the Transform view, discarding any defined transformation
data.
11-18
Shields 11-19
11-19
11-20 Transform View
11-20
Dispersion 12-1
12 Dispersion
Page
12.1 Dispersion View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
12.1.1 Common Fields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
12.1.2 Input Data Tab. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
12.1.3 Pollutants Tab. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
12.1.4 Results Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
12.1.5 Plot Overlay Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
12.1.6 Graphic Report Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
12-1
12-2
12-2
Dispersion 12-3
12-3
12-4 Dispersion View
Status Text
Status message
The message displayed in this field and its colour indicates whether
the data for this Dispersion object is complete and ready for
calculation.
12-4
Dispersion 12-5
Ignored
Check box
Clear to include this Dispersion in the calculations or set to ignore
this Dispersion when calculating. The effect of setting this check
box will be to exclude the Dispersion object from the calculations.
Pollutant Source
Radio buttons: Combustion Gas / Flared Fluid
If the combustion gas option is selected the list of pollutant
components will be loaded from the combustion gas compositions
calculated for the flare tips in the model. If the Flared Fluid option
is selected the list of pollutant components will be loaded from the
component lists of the fluids in the model.
Calculation Type
Radio buttons: Contour Plot / Downwind Line Plot
The dispersion calculations can be performed to generate either a
composition isopleth contour plot for a single pollutant or a plot of
muliple pollutant compositions along a single line downwind of a
selected origin.
12-5
12-6 Dispersion View
The data entry items for a contour plot dispersion calculation are
shown below.
Northing - Minimum
Range: -50,000 to 50,000 m
The minimum extent of the contour plot in the northing direction.
Northing - Maximum
Range: -50,000 to 50,000 m
The maximum extent of the contour plot in the northing direction.
12-6
Dispersion 12-7
Easting - Minimum
Range: -50,000 to 50,000 m
The minimum extent of the contour plot in the easting direction.
Easting - Maximum
Range: -50,000 to 50,000 m
The maximum extent of the contour plot in the easting direction.
The data entry items for a contour plot dispersion calculation are
shown below.
12-7
12-8 Dispersion View
12-8
Dispersion 12-9
Plot
Check box
Set the check box for the pollutants that should be included in the
dispersion calculations. For a contour calculation only one
component may be selected. Multiple components can be selected
for a downwind line plot.
12-9
12-10 Dispersion View
The view above shows the results obtained for a downwind line plot
dispersion calculations. The view below shows the results for a
contour calculation. In both cases the Display and Export options
available are the same.
Display
Drop down list: Table / Plot
Selects whether the dispersion results are displayed as a table or as
a graph.
Export
Button
Allows the calculated thermal radiation results to be exported to a
file. If the data is displayed as a table it may be exported to an Excel
XLS file or a comma separated CSV file. If displayed as a graph it
12-10
Dispersion 12-11
The contour plot view may be customised using the Zoom and
Customise options as described in Chapter 13.
Graphic Reports are not available for the downwind line plot
dispersion option.
12-11
12-12 Implementation Details
The Flame Shape tab of the Tip view can be used to see the location
of the end of the flame.
12-12
Overlays And Isopleths 13-1
Page
13.1 Overlay View. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
13.1.1 Common Fields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
13.1.2 Details Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
13.1.3 Editor Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
13.1.4 Overlay Editor Tool bar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
13.1.5 Overlay Editor - Object Properties . . . . . . 10
13.1.6 Overlay Editor - Edit Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
13-1
Overlays And Isopleths 13-2
Page
13-2
Overlays And Isopleths 13-3
13-3
13-4 Overlay View
13-4
Overlays And Isopleths 13-5
13-5
13-6 Overlay View
Show Stacks
Check box
If this check box is set the stacks will be added to the displayed
overlay drawing to act as guides for other drawing actions. Clearing
the check box clears the stack and tip elements. The stack drawing
elements will not form part of the saved Overlay. The setting is not
saved.
13-6
Overlays And Isopleths 13-7
The stack elements shown are the projection of the stack onto the
Overlay plane i.e. vertical stacks will appear as a point on an
Overlay with a Northing-Easting orientation.
Refresh
Button
Clicking this button updates any open Receptor Grid or Dispersion
isopleth plot views that are using the current Overlay so that they
display the latest version of the Overlay. Newly opened isopleth
views and report graphics always display the latest Overlay version.
The icons on this tool bar may be clicked to perform the following
actions or select a drawing mode. A blue box is shown around the
current active icon.
13-7
13-8 Overlay View
Puts the drawing in selection and edit mode. When this icon
is selected, clicking objects in the drawing selects them for
editing, as described in section below.
Puts the drawing in Add Text mode. Click the left mouse
button at the point where the text is to start - a vertical
blinking line will be displayed. Type the text and finish by
hitting the enter key.
13-8
Overlays And Isopleths 13-9
13-9
13-10 Overlay View
object in Edit Mode. The options in the list are shown below
and their usage is covered below.
The properties in the drop down list that can be set are.
Line Colour
This displays a standard windows Colour Selection Dialog as shown
below. Click the colour required and then the Ok button. The
13-10
Overlays And Isopleths 13-11
Line Style
This displays the following dialog to allow the line width and line
style to be selected. Enter the line width required and select the line
style from the drop down list then click Ok. The selected style
applies to individual line objects, polyline objects and the outside
lines for rectangle, rounded rectangle, ellipse and polygon objects.
Fill Colour
This displays the standard windows Colour Selection Dialog as
shown above. The selected colour applies to the interior of rectangle,
rounded rectangle, ellipse and polygon objects.
13-11
13-12 Overlay View
Fill Style
This displays the following dialog. Select the Fill style from the drop
down list and click Ok. The selected fill style applies to the interior
of rectangle, rounded rectangle, ellipse and polygon objects.
Background Colour
This displays the standard windows Colour Selection Dialog as
shown above. The selected colour applies background colour of the
plot.
Text Colour
This displays the standard windows Colour Selection Dialog as
shown above. The selected colour applies to the text objects.
Text Font
This displays a standard windows Font Properties Dialog as shown
below. Select the font name, size and style and click Ok. Note that
the font size selected has to be scaled for use on the overlay and so
a given point size may not display with the exact height requested.
13-12
Overlays And Isopleths 13-13
Selecting Objects
A single object can be selected by clicking on it with the left mouse
button. Once selected the object will display white boxes at the
corners and sides of its bounding rectangle as shown below.
13-13
13-14 Overlay View
Resizing Objects
A selected object can be resized by moving the cursor over one of
the white boxes in the bounding rectangle. When the cursor changes
to a two headed arrow, click and hold the left mouse button then drag
to resize the object.
Moving Objects
An object can be moved by clicking and holding the left mouse
button on the object and dragging the object to the new position. The
cursor will show a four arrowed icon. To move multiple objects first
select them then click and drag one of the them.
13-14
Overlays And Isopleths 13-15
There are two ways of establishing the new scale for the isopleth plot
axes.
Firstly, when the Zoom view is open, moving the cursor over
isopleth shows a cursor. When this is displayed you can click
and drag in the isopleth to select the new zoom region. The updated
scale values will be displayed in the Zoom view.
Alternatively the Zoom extents can be set through the zoom view.
13-15
13-16 Zoom View
Note the labels for the Min and Max entries will be updated
according to the orientation of the parent object isopleth.
Apply
Button
Clicking this button redraws the isopleths with the current zoom
extents.
Reset
Button
Clicking this button sets the zoom extents back to the original
Receptor Grid or Dispersion extents and redraws the isopleths.
13-16
Overlays And Isopleths 13-17
13-17
13-18 Isopleth Customise View
13-18
Overlays And Isopleths 13-19
13-19
13-20 Isopleth Customise View
13-20
Overlays And Isopleths 13-21
13-21
13-22 Isopleth Customise View
13-22
Overlays And Isopleths 13-23
Not all of the defined properties may be supported for all of the text
elements. Where a property cannot be set it will be greyed out while
that text element is selected.
13-23
13-24 Isopleth Customise View
13-24
Calculations 14-1
14 Calculations
Page
14.1 Calculation Options View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
14.1.1 General Tab. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
14.1.2 Sizing Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
14.1.3 Heat Transfer Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
14.1.4 Emissions Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
14.1.5 Fitting Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
14-1
14-2
14-2
Calculations 14-3
14-3
14-4 Calculation Options View
Status Text
Status message
The message displayed in this field and its colour indicates whether
the calculation options are complete and the model is ready for
calculation.
The Flaresim API and Strict API methods model the single point
source method of Hajek and Ludwig given in API RP-521. The
difference between the methods is in the method of calculating the
flame shape before finding the centre point to act as the source. The
Flaresim API method uses the vector based flame shape method and
allows multiple flame elements to be used to model the shape more
accurately even though a single, centre point will be used as the
source. The Strict API method uses the graphical method presented
in API 521 through a curve fit to the data presented there. The API
method in DOS versions of Flaresim and Flaresim for Windows
versions prior to version 2.0 was the Flaresim API method. Either
API method may be generally applied to most flare systems.
14-4
Calculations 14-5
14-5
14-6 Calculation Options View
14-6
Calculations 14-7
Options - Windchill
Check box
When set an empirical correlation is used to correct the incident
thermal radiation at any receptor point by taking into account the
heat losses due to passage of wind over the point. Use of this option
will generally be a matter of individual judgement or your company
standards.
The results of the two methods will be similar at low pressures (< 5
bar). At higher pressures the Redlich-Kwong method is more
accurate so it is set to be the default method for all new cases from
Version 1.1 onwards.
14-7
14-8 Calculation Options View
Buoyancy
Buoyancy - Pipe
Range: 0 to 100 m/s
The flame buoyancy which should be used for Pipe flares. A value
of 3.0 m/s is recommended unless specific vendor information
suggests otherwise.
Buoyancy - Sonic
Range: 0 to 100 m/s
The flame buoyancy to be used for Sonic flare tips. A value of 4.6
m/s is suggested unless specific vendor information suggests
otherwise.
Buoyancy - Welltest
Range: 0 to 100 m/s
The flame buoyancy to be used for Liquid flare tips. A value of 0.03
m/s is suggested unless specific vendor information suggests
otherwise.
14-8
Calculations 14-9
14-9
14-10 Calculation Options View
14-10
Calculations 14-11
B
HTC = A ⋅ Windspeed + C (1)
14-11
14-12 Calculation Options View
There are then two groups of equation parameters, the first apply for
wind speeds below the defined transition wind speed, the second
when the wind speed is higher than the transition value.
Equation Parameter A
Range: 0.01 to 100
The constant factor to be multiplied by the wind speed.
Equation Parameter B
Range: 0 to 10
The power to which the wind speed is raised.
Equation Parameter C
Range: 0.01 to 100
The constant factor to be added to the heat transfer coefficient.
Time Steps
Range: 1 to 1,000
The number of calculations to be made between the starting point
and the final exposure time. A higher number will track the rise in
surface temperature more accurately but it will not normally be
necessary to use more than 10 points.
14-12
Calculations 14-13
the Expert Mode option is in use in which case they can be set
individually for each Tip on the Emissions Tab of the Tip View.
14-13
14-14 Calculation Options View
Reset Defaults
Button
Clicking this button will reset the Emission Bases and rates to their
default values.
14-14
Calculations 14-15
The data fields that control the fitting process are shown below.
14-15
14-16 Calculation Options View
Run Fitting
Button
Clicking this starts the fitting process. The fitting process first
reconfigures the model to solve for Receptor points only. It will then
set the selected Tip to a low F Factor and run the model to calculate
the radiation at each selected Receptor point. The sum of the square
of the relative errors between the calculated and observed radiation
values will then be calculated. The F Factor is then raised by a step
and the process repeated until the calculated error begins to rise. At
this point a bisection search for the F Factor that gives the minimum
value for the error is obtained.
When the value of the F Factor that gives the minimum error has
been found the whole model will be reinstated and re-run at the
resulting F Factor.
Note if the fitting process is run for a single Receptor Point the final
error should always be 0 as long as there is a feasible value for the F
Factor which cannot be greater than 1.
14-16
Printing 15-1
15 Printing
Page
15.1 Report View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
15.1.1 Report File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
15-1
15-2
15-2
Printing 15-3
Both the Flaresim XML data files and the XSL style sheet file
comply with the appropriate W3C.org standards. This provides the
capability to reformat the output of Flaresim through definition of an
alternate style sheet file. Third party documentation on the use of
XSL files should be consulted since this is beyond the scope of this
documentation.
15-3
15-4 Report View
15-4
Printing 15-5
Note that the Report view being displayed is of the HTML report file
generated by Flaresim. Some elements of this report file will float
and be reformatted to try and fit into the area available for display.
It may be necessary to expand the view to see the report as it will be
printed.
Report Item
Tree View
This section of the view lists the items that can be included in a
report as a tree structure in a similar way to the Case Navigator view.
As in the case summary, the and icons can be used to expand
and collapse branches of the tree as required. The complete Report
Items panel can be collapsed using the button and expanded
again using the button.
Include Item
Check box
Each item available for the report has a check box against it. The
check box should be set to include the topic or cleared to exclude it.
Reset Options
Button
Resets the include item check boxes for each item to the defaults
contained in the PrintPreferences.xml file.
Clear All
Button
Clears the include item check boxes for all items.
Save Options
Button
Opens a File Save dialog to allow the current report item selection
to be saved to a dedicated configuration file. This option can be used
to update the default settings in the PrintPreferences.xml file.
Read Options
Button
Opens a File Open dialog to allow a configuration file contain report
item selection to be read and applied to the current case.
15-5
15-6 Report View
Note that whenever a case is saved the current report settings are
saved with it. The Save Options and Read Options buttons provide
a way for settings copied from one case to another without the need
to update the main PrintPreferences file.
Refresh
Button
Updates the report preview to reflect any changes that have been
made to the included or excluded topics. The report cannot be
refreshed if any data has changed since it was generated.
Print
Button
Prints the report using the current selection of included and excluded
items. Clicking this button starts the printing process by displaying
the standard Windows Printer dialog view below to allow the user to
select the printer to be used and to control the setup of the print
options.
15-6
Printing 15-7
Once the printer options have been set the Print button on this view
should be clicked to send the output to the printer.
This HTML file can be viewed at any time using an internet browser,
independently of Flaresim.
15-7
15-8 Output Graphic Report View
Select
List Box: Receptor Grids, Receptor Points, Dispersions
This displays as list of the Receptor Grids, Receptor Points and
Dispersion objects for which a graphic report is available. Receptor
Points only appear in the list if a wind rose graphic report is
available. Dispersion objects only appear in the list when a contour
plot report is available.
15-8
Printing 15-9
Objects are selected in the list by clicking on the name in the list.
Multiple items may be selected using Shift-Click and Ctrl-Click in
the usual way.
For convenience an All option is provided at the top of the list which
can be selected to output graphic reports for all the receptor grids
and receptor points in the model.
Select Plots
Check boxes
Each receptor grid can generate four separate graphic reports, one
for each of the radiation, noise, temperature isopleths and
concentrations (as long as jet dispersion calculations are enabled).
These check boxes allow selection of which reports will be output.
Set a check box to output the associated report and clear a check box
to suppress the report.
Isopleths To CSV
Button
This saves a list of the isopleth data points for each selected report
to a text file in Comma Separated Value or CSV format. This allows
the isopleths to be plotted using third party applications such as
Excel. A pop-up window will be displayed to select the output
15-9
15-10 Output Graphic Report View
Isopleths To XML
Button
This saves a list of the isopleth data points for each selected report
to a text file in XML format. A pop-up window will be displayed to
select the output folder. Confirmation of each file saved is output to
the information log.
The script generated will create one new layer in the target drawing
file for each isopleth value defined. Each layer will be named
according to the isopleth value and the isopleth value will also be
displayed on a text label within the added layer. An additional layer
will be created to draw the flame location. Note that the generated
script requires that the “Snap to guides” features of Autocad are
turned off before playing the script.
15-10
Printing 15-11
15-11
15-12 Output Graphic Report View
Close
Button
This button closes the Output Graphic Report view and returns to the
main Flaresim views.
15-12
Calculation Methods 16-1
16 Calculation Methods
Page
14.1 Thermal Radiation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
14.1.1 API Method . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
14.1.2 Integrated Point Source Method. . . . . . . . . 6
14.1.3 Integrated Diffuse Source Method . . . . . . . 7
14.1.4 Integrated Mixed Source Method . . . . . . . . 7
14.1.5 Brzustowski and Sommer Method . . . . . . . 8
14.1.6 Atmospheric Attenuation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
14.1.7 Windchill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
14.1.8 Flame Shape . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
14.3 Noise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
14.3.1 Combustion Noise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
14.3.2 Jet Noise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
14.3.3 Atmospheric Attenuation . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
14.4 Nomenclature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
14.4.1 Symbols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
14.4.2 Subscripts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
16-1
Calculation Methods 16-2
Page
14.6 Water Sprays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
14.6.1 Thickness of Water Curtain . . . . . . . . . . . 30
14.7 References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
16-2
Calculation Methods 16-3
16-3
16-4
16-4
Calculation Methods 16-5
16-5
16-6 Thermal Radiation
FQ
K = -------------- (1)
2
4πD
16-6
Calculation Methods 16-7
FQ L 1
4πL 0 D 2
K ips = ---------- ------- dl (2)
The distance between the point source and the receptor is calculated
from a flame shape derived from the resolution of the velocity
vectors for the flared fluid, wind and flame buoyancy.
FQ L sin β
2
π L 0 D
K ids = --------- ----------- dl
2
(3)
The distance between the point source and the receptor is calculated
from a flame shape derived from the resolution of the velocity
vectors for the flared fluid, wind and flame buoyancy.
16-7
16-8 Thermal Radiation
The distance between the point source and the receptor is calculation
from a flame shape which is based upon the diffusion of a turbulent
jet to the to the lean flammability concentration limit [3].
Kτ = τ ⋅ K (5)
16-8
Calculation Methods 16-9
16.1.6 Windchill
The design of offshore flare systems often takes into account the
effect of heat loss from the target surface due to windchill. Equation
7 gives the simple correction to the calculated value for thermal
radiation.
Kw = K – Kf (7)
16-9
16-10 Thermal Radiation
16-10
Calculation Methods 16-11
4WZRT
u j = ------------------- (8)
2
PMπd
The gas mach number is calculated from the sonic velocity which is
calculated from Equation 9.
gkRT
us = ------------- (9)
M
Q = W ⋅ LHV (10)
Q I2
L = I 1 ---- (11)
N
16-11
16-12 Thermal Radiation
Tip Type l1 l2
Steam and air assisted flares will generally have shorter flames than
those calculated by these equations. The program contains
proprietary algorithms for prediction of the shortening of the flame
as a function of the rate of injection of the assist fluid. Due to the
proprietary nature of these algorithms, they are not presented here.
1 1
u l = 5.0u j d --- – --- (12)
l A
dx
------ = u l sin Φ cos ω + u ∞ cos ψ (13)
dt
dy
------ = u l sin Φ cos ω + u ∞ sin ψ (14)
dt
dz
----- = u l cos Φ + u b (15)
dt
16-12
Calculation Methods 16-13
uj Mj
c l = c l ------ ⋅ -------- (16)
u∞ M∞
16-13
16-14 Thermal Radiation
xl
x l = --------------------------
dj uj ρ (17)
--------- ⋅ ------j-
u∞ ρ∞
zl
z l = --------------------------
dj uj ρ (18)
--------- ⋅ ------j-
u∞ ρ∞
Figure 16-3 gives the values for the horizontal and vertical distance
factors for a range of values for the dimensionless concentration
parameter..
16-14
Calculation Methods 16-15
16-15
16-16 Surface Temperature
Kα = ( h c + h r ) ⋅ ( T m – T ∞ ) (19)
The overall heat loss from the point is the sum of the radiation from
the point and the forced/free convection from the point. The
radiative heat transfer coefficient is given by:
4 4
( Tm – T∞ )
h r = σE ⋅ ------------------------------ (20)
( Tm – T∞ )
u ∞ > 15
0.75
h c = 0.56u ∞ (22)
16-16
Calculation Methods 16-17
16.3 Noise
The noise generated by a flare may be broken down into 3 basic
components:
• Combustion noise
• Jet noise
P2
SPL = 10 log --------- (24)
P 2
0
16-17
16-18 Noise
The noise level at each frequency is then corrected for the actual
combustion duty and distance from Equation 26.
16-18
Calculation Methods 16-19
2
ρj uj (27)
PWL = ηV -----------
-
2
16-19
16-20 Noise
ρj Tj 2
B = ------- ⋅ ------- (28)
ρ ∞ T ∞
16-20
Calculation Methods 16-21
0.2mu s
f max = ----------------- (29)
dj
16-21
16-22 Noise
16-22
Calculation Methods 16-23
16-23
16-24 Nomenclature
16.4 Nomenclature
The following nomenclature is used in sections 16.1 through to 16.3.
16.4.1 Symbols
16-24
Calculation Methods 16-25
16.4.2 Subscripts
A Atmospheric attenuation
b Buoyancy
c Convective
f Correction
i Frequency band
ids Integrated diffuse source
ims Integrated mixed source
ips Intergrated point source
j Jet exit
l Curvelinear length
m Metal
r Radiative
s Sonic
w Corrected for windchill
∞ Wind/atmospheric
τ Corrected for transmissivity
0 Reference condition
20 At 20 ft from source
16-25
16-26 Purge Gas
where
Qp Purge rate (ft3/h)
d Stack diameter (in)
O2 % oxygen
y Depth into stack (ft)
Fb Gas buoyancy factor
Ci
0.65
Fb = exp [ 0.065 ( 29 – M i ) ] (32)
i
where
Ci Volume fraction of ith component
Mi Molecular weight of ith component
16-26
Calculation Methods 16-27
1.5
F b = 6.25 [ 1 – 0.75 ( M ⁄ 28.96 ) ] (33)
where
M Molecular weight of purge gas.
If the purge gas buoyancy factor calculated using either method is
less than the buoyancy factor of nitrogen then the buoyancy factor
for nitrogen is used.
Ci
3.46 0.65
Q p = 0.003528d Ki (34)
i
16-27
16-28 Purge Gas
where
Qp Purge rate (ft3/h)
d Stack diameter (in)
Ci Volume fraction of ith component
Ki Constant for ith component from following table
Component K
Hydrogen 5.783
Helium 5.078
Methane 2.328
1.707 (wind)
Ethane -1.067
Propane -2.651
0.65
If the sum of the C i K i terms is less than the K value for nitrogen
then the value for nitrogen is used.
16-28
Calculation Methods 16-29
E
τ = ------ (35)
Eb
where
τ Transmissivity
E Total transmitted flux
Eb Total black body radiated flux
λ max
E = ( λ min )
E λb exp ( – α λ ⋅ s ) (36)
where
E λb Black body radiation at wavelength λ , W/m2
λ Radiation wavelength, m
αλ Absorption coefficient at wavelength λ m-1
s Thickness of water curtain layer m
2 –5
E λb = ( 2πHc λ ) ⁄ ( exp ( ( Hc ) ⁄ ( KλT ) – 1 ) ) (37)
16-29
16-30 Water Sprays
where
H Planck constant J/s
c Speed of light m/s2
λ Wavelength of radiation m
K Boltzman constant J/K
T Temperature K
6u noz
s = ( ( 0.5D noz ) ⁄ π ) -------------
- (38)
u drop
where
s Layer thickness m
D noz Nozzle diameter m
u noz Nozzle exit velocity m/s
u drop Droplet velocity m/s
16-30
Calculation Methods 16-31
16.7 References
1. API RP521, “Guide For Pressure-Relieving and
Depressuring Systems”, 4th ed, American Petroleum
Institute, Washington DC, 1997.
16-31
16-32 References
16-32
Graphic Report Layout A-1
Page
A.1 Introduction to XML . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
A.1.1 Tags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
A.1.2 Attributes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
A.1.3 Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
A-1
A-2
A-2
Graphic Report Layout A-3
A-3
A-4 Introduction to XML
The figure below shows a fragment of the XML language taken from
one of the Flaresim layout files.
A.1.1 Tags
An element’s tag can be thought of as its name. A tag enclosed in a
pair of “< >” brackets starts the description of an element and the
same tag preceded by a / character and enclosed in a pair of “< >”
brackets ends the description of the element. For example, an
element containing text data might be given the tag Description and
would appear as follows
A XML file can contain more than one element with the same tag
describing repeating data items. Tags are case sensitive, i.e.
<description> is different to <Description>.
A-4
Graphic Report Layout A-5
A.1.2 Attributes
The attributes of an element can be thought of as data parameters
or additional descriptions of the element. Attributes are defined
within the “< >” brackets of the elements opening tag. A single
attribute is introduced by a name followed by an “=” sign followed
by the value of the attribute enclosed in quotes. For example our
Description tag might be extended to have an attribute called Font to
define the typeface to be used to print it thus.
A.1.3 Data
The data part of an element is contained between the opening tag
and the closing tag. The data can be either text or another element.
In our <Description> element example the data is the text “The
descriptive text”.
The data part of an element does not have to contain data, it can be
empty if for example all of the data contained in an element is
described through attributes. When the data part of an element is
empty the closing “/” character can be included in the opening tag
and the closing tag omitted thus.
<Description Font=”Arial”/>
A-5
A-6 Layout File Structure
This defines the version of the XML standard used to encode the file
and the unicode character set used. This is a standard element that
must appear as the first element in the file.
<FlaresimLayout>
This element is the top level data element that contains all other
elements that define the layout of the graphic report.
A-6
Graphic Report Layout A-7
Attributes
X Size of plot in X dimension in mm.
Y Size of plot in Y dimension in mm.
Data Value
None.
Attributes
X Required - X position in mm of the left edge of the
text
Y Required - Y position in mm of the centre line of the
text
Font Required - Integer denoting font to be used -
0 = Arial
1 = Courier
2 = Times Roman
Size Required - Value defining text height as % of plot
page height
Style Optional - Text describing style of text -
Bold
Italic
BoldItalic
Data Value
The background text to be added to the plot.
A-7
A-8 Layout File Structure
Attributes
X Required - X position in mm of the left edge of the
unit text
Y Required - Y position in mm of the centre line of the
unit text
Font Required - Integer denoting font to be used -
0 = Arial
1 = Courier
2 = Times Roman
Size Required - Value defining unit text height as % of
plot page height
Style Optional - Text describing style of unit text -
Bold
Italic
BoldItalic
Data Value
The name of the unit of measurement type to be output e.g. length,
temperature. The full list of recognised type names is the same as the
list of quantity names defined in the units.xml file as follows-
time, length, mass, temperature, sound, frequency,
surface_area, volume, force, small_length, energy, pressure,
velocity, plane_angle, fraction, percentage, power,
mass_flow, mass_heat_capacity, mass_energy,
heat_flux_density, heat_transfer_coefficient,
mass_per_area, mass_density, volume_flow.
A.2.5 Data
Description
Defines individual data items that will appear on the plot.
A-8
Graphic Report Layout A-9
Attributes
X Required - X position in mm of the left edge of the
data value
Y Required - Y position in mm of the centre line of the
value
Font Required - Integer denoting font to be used -
0 = Arial
1 = Courier
2 = Times Roman
Size Required - Value defining data value height as % of
plot page height
Style Optional - Text describing style of data value -
Bold
Italic
BoldItalic
Data Value
A <Var> data element defining the data item to be output as follows.
Attributes
Stack Optional - index of stack which variable is associated
with.
Tip Optional - index of tip which variable is associated
with. Note this is the index of the tip on the specified
stack i.e. a Tip index value of 1 denotes the first tip
on the specified stack regardless of whether the tip is
the first listed in the model.
A-9
A-10 Layout File Structure
Data Value
A text string identifying the data item to be output. The list of data
identifiers recognised is as follows.
A-10
Graphic Report Layout A-11
MW Required Required
A-11
A-12 Layout File Structure
A-12
Graphic Report Layout A-13
A-13
A-14 Layout File Structure
Attributes
X1 Required - X position in mm of the top left corner of
the graphic item.
Y1 Required - Y position in mm of the top left corner of
the graphic item.
X2 Required - X position in mm of the bottom right
corner of the graphic item.
Y2 Required - Y position in mm of the bottom right
corner of the graphic item.
Data Value
A text string naming the graphic file to be included.
Attributes
X1 Required - X position in mm of the top left corner of
the area for output of the data item.
Y1 Required - Y position in mm of the top left corner of
the area for output of the data item.
X2 Required - X position in mm of the bottom right
corner of the area for output of the data item.
Y2 Required - Y position in mm of the bottom right
corner of the area for output of the data item.
Font Required - Integer denoting font to be used -
0 = Arial
1 = Courier
2 = Times Roman
Size Required - Value defining data item text height as %
of plot height
A-14
Graphic Report Layout A-15
Data Value
A text string defining the data item to be output. Recognised values
are.
Title
DataFile
Description
LastModified
Author
Revision
CheckedBy
FSWVersion
Attributes
X1 Required - X position in mm of the first end of the
line.
Y1 Required - Y position in mm of the first end of the
line.
X2 Required - X position in mm of the second end of the
line.
Y2 Required - Y position in mm of the second end of the
line.
LineWidth Required - Line width in pixels.
Data Value
None
A-15
A-16 Layout File Structure
Attributes
X1 Required - X position in mm of the top left corner of
the graph area.
Y1 Required - Y position in mm of the top left corner of
the graph area.
X2 Required - X position in mm of the bottom right
corner of the graph area.
Y2 Required - Y position in mm of the bottom right
corner of the graph area.
Data Value
Elements defining the options used to draw the isopleth graph as
follows. Note one instance of each of these elements is required in
the <PlotArea> data. None of these elements has any data value, all
the required information is contained as attributes.
Attributes
Display Required - defines whether grid is drawn. Allowed
values are Yes or No.
Lines Required - defines number of grid lines within graph
on each axid. Integer
BackColour Required - defines colour of graph background.
Value can be Transparent or one of the colours from
Table A.1 below.
A-16
Graphic Report Layout A-17
Attributes
Display Required - defines whether title is included. Allowed
values are Yes or No.
Space Required - Vertical spacing allowed for title as a
percentage of the Y range of the graph.
Font Required - Integer denoting font to be used -
0 = Arial
1 = Courier
2 = Times Roman
A-17
A-18 Layout File Structure
Attributes
Display Required - defines whether description is included.
Allowed values are Yes or No.
Space Required - Vertical spacing allowed for description
as a percentage of the Y range of the graph.
Font Required - Integer denoting font to be used -
0 = Arial
1 = Courier
2 = Times Roman
Size Required - Value defining description text height as
% of graph height.
Style Optional - Text describing style of description text -
Bold
Italic
BoldItalic
Attributes
Display Required - defines whether X axis label is included.
Allowed values are Yes or No.
A-18
Graphic Report Layout A-19
Attributes
Display Required - defines whether Y axis label is included.
Allowed values are Yes or No.
Space Required - Horizontal spacing allowed for Y axis
label as a percentage of the X range of the graph.
Font Required - Integer denoting font to be used -
0 = Arial
1 = Courier
2 = Times Roman
Size Required - Value defining Y axis label height as % of
graph height.
Style Optional - Text describing style of Y axis label text -
Bold
Italic
BoldItalic
A-19
A-20 Layout File Structure
Attributes
Font Required - Integer denoting font to be used -
0 = Arial
1 = Courier
2 = Times Roman
Size Required - Value defining scale label height as % of
graph height.
Attributes
Display Required - defines whether the flare will be drawn.
Allowed values are Yes or No.
FlameThick Required - defines thickness of line used to draw
flame in pixels.
FlameColour Required - defines colour of line used to draw flame.
Allowed values are given in Table A.1.
StackThick Required - defines thickness of line used to draw
stack in pixels.
StackColour Required - defines colour of line used to draw stack.
Allowed values are given in Table A.1.
TipThick Required - defines thickness of line used to draw tip
in pixels.
TipColour Required - defines colour of line used to draw tip.
Allowed values are given in Table A.1.
A-20
Graphic Report Layout A-21
Attributes
X1 Required - X position in mm of the top left corner of
the legend data area.
Y1 Required - Y position in mm of the top left corner of
the legend data area.
X2 Required - X position in mm of the bottom right
corner of the legend data area.
Y2 Required - Y position in mm of the bottom right
corner of the legend data area.
Data Value
Elements defining the options used to draw the legend data on the
isopleth graph as follows. Note one instance of each of these
elements is required in the <LegendArea> data. None of these
elements has any data value, all the required information is
contained as attributes.
Attributes
NumCols Required - Integer defining number of colums to be
used for drawing the legend.
Font Required - Integer denoting font to be used for
legend label -
0 = Arial
1 = Courier
2 = Times Roman
Size Required - Value defining legend label height as %
of legend data area height.
A-21
A-22 Layout File Structure
Attributes
Display Required - defines whether description is included.
Allowed values are Yes or No.
Font Required - Integer denoting font to be used -
0 = Arial
1 = Courier
2 = Times Roman
Size Required - Value defining description text height as
% of legend data area height.
Style Optional - Text describing style of description text -
Bold
Italic
BoldItalic
Attributes
UseLayout Required - Specifies whether the contour data from
the layout file is to be used. Allowed values Yes or
No. If set to Yes the contour data will be taken from
the layout file. If not, the contour data will be taken
from the current isopleth definition for the receptor
grid.
Data Value
Multiple elements defining the individual contour lines to be output.
Up to 10 instances of <RadiationContour>, <NoiseContour> and
<TemperatureContour> can be specified.
A-22
Graphic Report Layout A-23
Attributes
IsoValue Required - Specifies the radiation value of the
isopleth contour in internal program units of W/m2.
Colour Required - Specifies the colour used to draw the
contour. Allowed values are given in Table A.1.
LineWidth Required - Integer specifying the width of the line
used to draw the contour in pixels.
Style Required - Specifies the style of the line used to draw
the contour. Allow values are.
Solid
Dashed
Dotted
DashDot
DashDotDot
Attributes
IsoValue Required - Specifies the noise value of the isopleth
contour in internal program units of dB.
Colour Required - Specifies the colour used to draw the
contour. Allowed values are given in Table A.1.
LineWidth Required - Integer specifying the width of the line
used to draw the contour in pixels.
Style Required - Specifies the style of the line used to draw
the contour. Allow values are.
Solid
Dashed
Dotted
A-23
A-24 Layout File Structure
DashDot
DashDotDot
Attributes
IsoValue Required - Specifies the temperature value of the
isopleth contour in internal program units of K.
Colour Required - Specifies the colour used to draw the
contour. Allowed values are given in Table A.1.
LineWidth Required - Integer specifying the width of the line
used to draw the contour in pixels.
Style Required - Specifies the style of the line used to draw
the contour. Allow values are.
Solid
Dashed
Dotted
DashDot
DashDotDot
A-24