【2026 Ground Flare】The core working principle of the ground flare and its differences from the high flare
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This post was last edited by The one on 2026-6-28 13:22. A Ground Flare, also known as a ground burner or enclosed ground flare, is a type of safety and environmental protection emission device commonly used in petrochemical industries, natural gas processing, and industrial waste gas treatment systems.
Unlike conventional high flares, ground flares place the burner within a closed/semi-closed steel structure at ground level or semi-buried, and achieve smoke-free combustion of waste gases through multi-stage combustion and forced ventilation.
Core working principle: 1. Staged combustion – Ground-based torches are typically equipped with multiple burners, which are activated automatically or manually depending on the amount of exhaust gas to be treated. At low flow rates, only a few burners are activated, while at high flow rates all of them are turned on to ensure combustion efficiency and outlet flow velocity.
2. Forced ventilation: Since the burner is located on the ground, natural draft is insufficient; therefore, a blower or exhaust fan is usually used to supply the oxygen required for combustion and to assist in the dispersion of smoke.
3. Enclosed/semi-enclosed structure: The burner is housed within a steel casing lined with refractory material, which provides insulation, soundproofing, and light shielding.
Ground torch vs. Elevated torch
Main advantages: Short safety distance: Thanks to the insulation properties of the casing, the range of thermal radiation is extremely limited, making it ideal for refineries with limited space or factories located near the edges of cities.
Environmentally friendly: It effectively eliminates light pollution and visible smoke (with proper design and operation), reducing complaints from nearby residents.
Strong wind resistance: unaffected by high-altitude wind shear, with good combustion stability and low susceptibility to \"flameout\" or \"backfire\".
High operational flexibility: The multi-stage burner design enables it to adapt well to a wide range of emission fluctuations from 10% to 110%.
Main disadvantages and challenges: Complex system: It involves fans, complex valve assemblies, PLC control systems, fire-resistant linings, etc., resulting in a relatively high number of potential failure points. Noise control: Fans and high-speed air currents generate significant noise; therefore, efficient silencers and soundproof barriers must be designed. Refractory material maintenance: Due to the high temperatures inside over time, refractory bricks or ceramic fiber linings need to be inspected regularly; if they come loose, they can cause the casing to be burned through. Backpressure issue: Due to the tortuous path and the resistance posed by fans/silencers, the system’s backpressure is usually higher than that of elevated flares; it is necessary to verify the capacity of the upstream equipment to handle this pressure.