The Chevron El Segundo

Refinery Flares
This fact sheet explains what flares do and why they serve an important function within the refinery process.

What is a flare?

Why is the flame bigger at times than usual?

A flare is a pressure safety relief device used

There are infrequent instances when the refinery

throughout the petroleum industry. It is used to

experiences a process interruption, such as a

ensure that equipment does not exceed the limits set

power outage or an earthquake. For safety rea-

for maintaining the safety and integrity of a process

sons, equipment automatically shuts down when

unit. The refinery has a total of six elevated flares.

this happens. The excess process gas is then consumed in the flare system. In addition, starting up

Why does the refinery need flares?

plants after maintenance work can increase flare

Occasionally as part of the refinery process, more

activity. As a result, the refinery has adopted a plan

fuel gas (e.g., propane, butane) is produced than

not to introduce feed to plants being restarted after

needed by the plants. The flare's function is to

7:00 PM in the summer and 5:00 PM in the winter.

eliminate this excess process gas by burning it off

This procedure results in economic penalties to our

rather than venting potentially damaging hydrocar-

business; however, the refinery will continue to

bons to the atmosphere. A pilot light at the top of

limit potentially excess flaring at night in keeping

each flare burns all the time (like some home fur-

with our good neighbor policy.

naces), so the flare is ready when needed.

Is there any cause for concern
Why are the flare stacks so tall?

when the flares are operating?

Most flares are elevated because of the heat

Flare systems are specifically designed to handle

involved in the process. By operating flares high

and eliminate excess heat and fuel gas. Be

above the ground, the potential for igniting other

assured that flaring is a controlled operation which

equipment and endangering personnel is eliminated.

provides the safest and most environmentally

effective method to burn off excess process

Why do flares periodically make noise?

gasses and to reduce hydrocarbon emissions.

Steam is an important component of the flare

process. It is used as a coolant and promotes a

If you have any additional questions about flares

clean burning flame. Sometimes the steam makes

or other refinery processes, please contact the

a hissing noise when it is introduced into the flare.

Community Response Hotline 24 hours a day at

That just means it's doing its job to cool the sys-

(310) 615-5342.

tem and significantly reduce smoke.

Revised: 02/03