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Flare Stack Monitoring

Thermal imaging cameras can be used to identify correct pilot ignition, proper burning profiles and basic flare conditions

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Many industries use flare stacks to burn off unwanted waste gas byproducts or flammable gasses released by pressure relief valves during unplanned over-pressuring of plant equipment. Applications include oil and gas drilling operations, oil refineries, chemical process plants, gas distribution infrastructure, and landfills. In many cases, regulations require monitoring of a stack’s flame, or the pilot flame that ignites the gasses, to avoid having unburned hydrocarbons enter the atmosphere.

Viper can help you meet the HSE needs of the industry.

Viper's System Solution

Thermal Imaging cameras distinguish between the heat signature of the flare stack and the surrounding environment (typically, the sky or clouds). The cameras can be positioned to monitor not only the stack flame but also the igniter flame and are mounted on a structure in weather-resistant housing. Calibration and spectral response allow them to obtain a clear image and measure temperature of the flare stack or pilot flame. Even flares invisible to the naked eye are clearly evident in a thermal image.

Specific capabilities:

  • Gas Detection: highly sensitive detectors with low false alarm rates
  • Gas Quantification & Concentration: determines mass flow rate and ppm-m of gas
  • Flare Monitoring: real-time performance monitoring with early detection of liquid carryover
  • Flame Detection: reliable tool for clear image and temperature measurement
  • Through-Flame Thermography: accurate temperature measurement through fire
  • Flare Efficiency: smoke index warning, destruction and removal efficiency indicator
ViperOptic flare monitoring

System Solution Components

Optical Gas Imaging camera systems are integrated with specialized software that directly communicates with most industrial platform controllers. The software provides clear thermal images and temperature measurements – and will trigger an alarm if warranted. These parameters can be adjusted based on the specific application needs.

Every thermal imaging camera is mounted in an industrial camera enclosure that uses the appropriate purge and pressurization to protect the camera equipment. Viper Imaging provides solutions for Class I and Class II environments that are Division I or II.

Hardware as a Service (HaaS)

Lease

Purchase

Rental

Upfront costs

$

$

$$$

$$

Monthly fee

Yes

Yes

N/A

Varies

Equipment ownership

Viper

Viper initially, then transitions to Customer

Customer

Viper

Contract term

3-year (renewable)

2, 3, or 5 year

Paid with order

Weekly or Monthly

Annual on-site routine maintenance & calibration checks

Yes

Optional

Optional

N/A

Quarterly service plan

Yes

Optional

Optional

N/A

ViperVision software upgrades

Yes

Optional

Optional

N/A

Critical spares in consignment

Yes

Optional

Optional

N/A

Key Benefits

  • Monitors maximum and minimum height threshold
  • Instant notification alarm for loss of combustion
  • Constant, real-time monitoring
  • Provides quantitative temperature readout and remote visual monitoring for plant management
  • Reliable and rugged system designed for harsh environments
  • Easy integration into existing plant control system

For your people

For your company

For your equipment

Interested in Viper’s System Solution?