Flare stacks are used in the chemical and petrochemical industries to safely dispose of excess gases through combustion.
These may be unwanted waste gases, or flammable gases released to prevent unplanned over-pressurising of plant equipment.
Simply venting these untreated hydrocarbons into the air creates an environmental hazard. Burning these gases is less harmful – for example, if methane is burned to produce carbon dioxide and steam, it is less damaging than releasing methane.
Environmental regulations require close monitoring of the flare stack to prevent pollutants, particularly unburned hydrocarbons, from entering the atmosphere.
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Perhaps a Longtitude prize to solve railway line problems. "extreme heat causing further disruption through rail buckling and power line...