Flare Gas and Its Utilization
摘要
One of the significant challenges related to climate change is emissions from flaring practices. The escalating demand for oil and gas production worldwide has led to the combustion of associated gases through flaring. Furthermore, all refinery facilities are equipped with a network of burners designed to meet safety objectives and facilitate pressure relief under abnormal conditions. The combustion of flare gas vapors contributes substantially to the release of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases and pollutants into the atmosphere. Notably, flare vapors contain greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane, as well as hazardous pollutants including sulfur compounds, such as sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides (NOx). Additionally, these vapors encompass valuable hydrocarbon components, the incineration of which results in significant economic losses. It is noteworthy that in 2023, over 148 billion cubic meters of natural gas were flared, leading to the emission of approximately 400 million tons of carbon dioxide. Consequently, the recovery of flare gas is critical for industries aiming to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and environmental pollutants while also preventing the loss of hydrocarbons. Various methods exist for the recycling of flare gas. This chapter summarizes the state of the art and prospects in flare gas utilization to contribute to climate change mitigation, while reaping economic benefits.