http://www.esg-gib.net/wp-content/uploads/documents/Spanish-Flaring-Leaflet.pdf

SEE BELOW ENGLISH TEXT FROM LEAFLET

THE FLARES  – EVERYTHING YOU SHOULD KNOW:

1. What are flares? The word “flare” is used to describe a flame that is burning off excess gas. This process usually occurs in refineries, as well as in certain chemical plants. These gases are generated when the production process is not working properly, when there is a loss of energy, or when the gases are released during maintenance periods. There are more flares in oil and gas production plants than in refineries. It also occurs in some mines, as well as many garbage dumps.

2. What is the biggest problem with flares? The flares, in short periods of time, emit large amounts of gas into the environment. They are prone to problems related to wind turbulence, and to gases not burning properly due to lack of time and temperature variations. All this contributes to the gases burning in a “dirty” way. One of the main problems with torches is that their efficiency is essentially unknown. It is often the case that refiners cite manufacturers’ specifications, as refinery operators are unaware of their own efficiency. Research carried out by the Alberta Research Council (Canada) also suggests that the number and volume of potentially toxic components escaping into the environment due to incomplete combustion are higher than previously suspected. Flaring also contributes to a number of environmental problems, such as eco-inefficiency, resource depletion, global warming, and acid deposition.

3. Why do refineries release flares or torches? These flares are intended to protect the refinery, and release the gases beyond the work areas. Therefore, its purpose is not to protect the health of those who live beyond the industrial area. Refineries use flares as a safety device with which excess gases are removed. A buildup of gases can increase pressure in the plant and cause an explosion. Some refineries flare more than they should as they use this method to dispose of waste. In the south of Durban, refineries flare up due to operational and maintenance failures, as well as for emergencies. It is interesting to know how under Engen’s new production permit, dated December 2004, refineries are not allowed to use flares for economic reasons.

4. Why do some flares emit toxic smoke? If a torch emits smoke, it is not a good torch, since what it is emitting is not being completely burned. Both Engen and Sapref in Durban gave their torches more propulsion, and this helped the flares burn properly. If a torch smokes, if the flare is very high, this practice must be denounced. Torches also smoke because the volume of gas is such that the flame cannot completely burn it.

5. Why do the flares produce such strong odors?
Many gases are emitted into the environment during the entire time that the chimneys emit flares or torches. If the flare is “good”, it is only emitting carbon dioxide (CO2) and water. Since gas analysis is not done in stacks, and can only be done in laboratories, it would be a stretch to say that there are 2 gases that can make a torch smell – sulphur dioxide and hydrogen sulfide. Sulphur dioxide (SO2) is a colorless gas with a strong odor, irritates the respiratory system, and can cause or aggravate the condition of patients with asthma or bronchitis. Babies whose mothers have been subjected continuously or for long periods of time to this type of contamination during pregnancy, may be born with a predisposition to these diseases. Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) is a highly dangerous chemical. It smells like rotten eggs. Shell’s safety committee issued an information leaflet in December 1986 explaining, “The greatest danger of hydrogen sulfide is that it can cause sudden death if inhaled in concentrated doses. Torches or flares normally emit amounts of toxic substances that are well below lethal concentrations, but are high enough to be recognized by their distinctive odor, and cause nausea and vomiting.

Another fact to take into account regarding contamination by hydrogen sulfide is that ones sense of smell becomes used to the bad smell and no longer detects it, and after a while you no longer smell it. There is then the risk that this contaminating substance can reach lethal levels and those affected do not realise it.

6. What polluting substances are issued when there are flares? According to the Public Health Association of Canada, and according to its “Position 2000” document, 250 different toxins have been identified. Among these are the following:

7. Can flares damage health? Certain polluting compounds aggravate respiratory diseases such as asthma. The “EPA Enforcement Alert October 2000” of the United States says the following:

Hydrogen Sulfide is considered a cyanide-like toxin. Flaring torches can produce high concentrations of sulphur dioxide in the environment. Those people who could be exposed even for short periods of time to high levels of sulphur dioxide may suffer lung damage that would be accompanied by discomfort such as shortness of breath due to congestion of the respiratory tract.

8. Can the torches or flares affect air quality? Flares can affect air quality, particularly if they are not burning well. Stations for observing air quality have detected an increase in solid particles during those periods in which the chimneys have been emitting torches or flames. It is also known to increase hydrogen sulfide concentrations at ground level. Flares also cause carbon dioxide levels to rise. Incomplete combustion emits solid particles (soot) and hydrocarbons into the atmosphere that are harmful to health. Studies conducted in Houston, Texas, reveal that smog levels can increase as a result of increased flares, which in turn increase VOC and sulphur dioxide emissions.

Solid particles (soot) Benzene
Benzoprine
Carbon di-sulphide (CS) Carbonyl Sulphide (Cos) toluene

Mercury
And many more.

INFORMATION: THE BAY BUCKET BRIGADE IN COLABORATION WITH “LA PLATAFORMA POR EL ESTUDIO EPIDEMIOLOGICO YA!”

JUNE 2006

The ESG shares the alarm expressed around the Bay over the major flaring incident that occurred yesterday evening

While a mishap at a substation in Pinar del Rey was believed to be the cause of the power failure in Spanish towns, which reportedly was resumed after 20 minutes, the emergency flaring, caused by power failure, did not normalise until close to 3 hours later!!

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Picture supplied courtesy of John Sanchez

We were advised in our refinery campaigning days that flaring releases untold levels of toxic chemicals into the surrounding environment and must therefore be limited to the shortest possible period. That best practice should see back up power supply at the industry to restore power and limit flaring as quickly as possible, in a matter of minutes.

Best practice on this occasion, did not prevent the noxious fumes which continued for close to 3 hours yesterday.

The ESG calls for an official enquiry to be placed by our Government to establish all the facts and to clarify whether emergency power supply is in place at this refinery to limit this extended and dangerous flaring practice, which is a cross border environmental and public health hazard.

*** Visit Resources Page for access to reports on pollution including Flaring.

ESG Radio Broadcast wk beginning 1^st August 2022

Hello, what a time it has been for those dealing with the terrible fire which affected our water production and consequent total loss of potable water for a sizeable minority. For those with no water for 4 days it really rammed home how quickly life can change without this vital resource. Luckily many more people are now back with water today and hopefully those remaining will have their supply finally restored.

So we hope we can turn our minds to other matters, but, before we do that, we would also like to thank all the frontline services, AquaGib, Government officials, the media and our major supermarkets for going the extra mile in helping the community cope with this very worrying situation.

Serious questions remain over the cause of the fire and how this happened with potentially devastating consequences only brought back by the sheer effort and risks taken by our frontline workers. The large-scale storage of flammable materials and their management should also be carefully reviewed including security for all access to our tunnel systems. We hope that all recommendations put forward by the frontline emergency services, whose lives are most risk from industrial accidents, will be taken on-board.

Clearly a spike in plastic bottle use has also resulted and we urge the public to make use of the yellow recycling bins to dispose of unwanted plastic bottles and containers.

The issue of waste and litter leads us to the launch of this years Clean up the World. The date is the 17^th September in support of the worldwide weekend of community action.  This will be Gibraltar’s 19^th nationwide clean up organised by the ESG and is already gathering momentum. Please send in your interest to participate to:-  esg@gibtelecom.net. You can register a team or sign up as an individual and more details will be sent to you.

In our next broadcast we will be covering Climate Change and regular ESG features coming up in local media, Air pollution and the need for wider monitoring of industrial zones and how idling our engines will soon be an illegal offence in Gibraltar due to a new law announced in parliament recently.

Thanks for listening – please visit esg-gib.net for more information on issues covered by the ESG.