Flare stack height

The height is generally based on the radiant-heat intensity generated by the

flame
According to The Hajek and Ludwig equation
D =(τE Q/4ᴨK) 0.5

Where
D=minimum distance from the midpoint of the flame to the object being
considered, ft;
E=fraction of heat radiated;
K=allowable radiation level, BTU/hr-ft2
Q=heat release (lower heating value), BTU/hr; and;
τ=fraction of heat intensity transmitted, defined by  following equation Equation
τ  = 0.79(100/r)  (100/R)
1/16 1/16

Where
r=relative humidity, fraction;
R=distance from flare center, ft;
And
τ=fraction of heat transmitted, in range of 0.7 to 0.9.
Velocity Determination. The sonic velocity of a gas can be calculated with
Vs  =(1720kTZ/S) 1/2

Gas velocity can be determined from

V  =(60 Q  T Z)/di  P
g
2
CL

and the critical flow pressure at the end of the relief system can be calculated
with
P   = (2.02)Q /di   X {(TS/k(k+1)}
CL g
2 1/2

Where
di=pipe inside diameter, in.
k=ratio of specific heats, CP/CV;
P =critical pressure at flare tip, always ≥ 14.7, psia;
CL

Q =gas-flow rate, MMscf/D;

g

S=specific gravity, ratio;

T=temperature,
 °R;V=gas velocity, ft/s;
V =sonic velocity, ft/s
S

;and Z=gas compressibility at standard conditions,

where air = 1, psi −1 .
API FLAME LENGTH: 0.00604*(heat release)^ 0.4776

SONIC FLAME LENGTH: 0.004503 * (heat release)^ 0.459882

EFFECTIVE FLAME LENGTH: (1- Tip MACH Number) *API Flame Length +

(Tip MACH Number * Sonic Flame Length)
Milton Beychok fitted the data points from API STD 521 in his book
"fundamentals of stack gas dispersion". The result for flame height is shown on
the Book cover
hfv = 0.0042*Q^0.478
Q is heat released (lower heating value) in BTU/hr hfv is flame height in feet
Since he assumed a 45 degrees angle, the flame length is:
Flame length = 0.0059*Q^0.478

COMPLEMENTARIO

As a rule of thumb, flame effective length is calculated based on following

experimental equation:
L=A* Q^B
Where Q is duty of burner and A , B are constant. A and B are experimental
values.