A flare is an important safety device for control and disposal of combustible gases. They are designed in accordance with API, ASME, EPA and other codes. However, many other details and possible oversights, not found in the codes, can lead to dangerous conditions--bottlenecks, equipment malfunction, overpressure, flameout, vapor clouds, liquid carryover (burning rain), internal explosions, etc.

Some of these conditions, and their causes, are presented from actual field experience, and are discussed in order to educate engineers (design, piping, process, and operating), plant operators, and maintenance people involved with flare systems.