Am Tool 06 v1

UNFCCC/CCNUCC
CDM Executive Board EB 28

Meeting report
Annex 13
page 1

Annex 13

Methodological Tool to determine project emissions from flaring gases containing
methane

I. DEFINITIONS, SCOPE, APPLICABILITY AND PARAMETERS

Definitions

For the purpose of this tool, the following definitions apply:

Residual gas stream. Gas stream containing methane that is to be flared in hour h as
part of the project activity.

Flare efficiency. Methane destruction efficiency of the flare in hour h, defined as the
ratio between the mass flow rate of methane in the exhaust gas of the flare and the mass
flow rate of methane in residual gas stream that is flared (both referred to in dry basis
1

and normal (NTP) conditions).

Enclosed flare. Enclosed flares are defined as devices where the residual gas is burned
in a cylindrical or rectilinear enclosure that includes a burning system and a damper
where air for the combustion reaction is admitted.

Open flare. Open flares are defined as devices where the residual gas is burned in an
open air tip with or without any auxiliary fluid assistance.

Scope and applicability

This tool provides procedures to calculate project emissions from flaring of a residual gas stream
(RG) containing methane.
This tool is applicable under the following conditions:
The residual gas stream to be flared contains no other combustible gases than
methane, carbon monoxide and hydrogen;
The residual gas stream to be flared shall be obtained from decomposition of organic
material (through landfills, bio-digesters or anaerobic lagoons, among others) or from
gases vented in coal mines (coal mine methane and coal bed methane).

1
Dry basis refers to dry gas conditions (moisture must be discounted from flow rate and composition).
UNFCCC/CCNUCC

Meeting report
Annex 13
page 2

Parameters

This tool provides procedures to determine the following parameters :
Parameter SI Unit Description
PE
flare,y
tCO
2e
Project emissions from flaring of the residual gas stream in year y
flare,h
- Flare efficiency in hour h based on measurements or default
values.

The following data are required by this tool:
Parameter SI Unit Description
fv
i,h
- Volumetric fraction of component i in the residual gas in the hour
h where i = CH
4
, CO, CO
2
, O
2
, H
2
, N
2

FV
RG,h
m
3
/h Volumetric flow rate of the residual gas in dry basis at normal
(NTP) conditions
2
in the hour h

t
O2,h
- Volumetric fraction of O
2
in the exhaust gas of the flare in the hour
h (only in case the flare efficiency is continuously monitored)
fv
CH4,FG,h
mg/m
3
Concentration of methane in the exhaust gas of the flare in dry
basis at normal conditions in the hour h (only in the case the flare
efficiency is continuously monitored)
T
flare
C Temperature in the exhaust gas of the enclosed flare
Any other parameters required to monitor proper operation of the
flare according to the manufacturers specification (only in the
case of use of a default value for the flare efficiency of enclosed
and open flares)

II. BASELINE METHODOLOGY PROCEDURE

Project emissions from flaring of the residual gas stream are calculated based on the flare
efficiency and the mass flow rate of methane in the residual gas stream that is flared. The flare
efficiency depends on both the actual efficiency of combustion in the flare and the time that the
flare is operating. The efficiency of combustion in the flare is calculated from the methane
content in the exhaust gas of the flare, corrected for the air used in the combustion process, and
the methane content in the residual gas.

In case of open flares, the flare efficiency cannot be measured in a reliable manner (i.e. external
air will be mixed and will dilute the remaining methane) and a default value of 50%
3
is to be used
provided that it can be demonstrated that the flare is operational (e.g. through a flame detection
system reporting electronically on continuous basis)). If the flare is not operational the default
value to be adopted for flare efficiency is 0%.

2
Normal (NTP) conditions are 101.325 kPa and 273.15 K.
3
Whenever the default value for the flare efficiency (either open flare or enclosed flare) is to be used for
calculation of project emissions in equation 15 below, the value should be converted into fraction (e.g.
50/100= 0.5) before use in the equation.
UNFCCC/CCNUCC

Meeting report
Annex 13
page 3

For enclosed flares, the temperature in the exhaust gas of the flare is measured to determine
whether the flare is operating or not.

For enclosed flares, either of the following two options can be used to determine the flare
efficiency:

(a) To use a 90% default value. Continuous monitoring of compliance with manufacturers
specification of flare (temperature, flow rate of residual gas at the inlet of the flare) must
be performed. If in a specific hour any of the parameters are out of the limit of
manufacturers specifications, a 50% default value for the flare efficiency should be used
for the calculations for this specific hour.
(b) Continuous monitoring of the methane destruction efficiency of the flare (flare
efficiency).

In both cases, if there is no record of the temperature of the exhaust gas of the flare or if the
recorded temperature is less than 500 C for any particular hour, it shall be assumed that during
that hour the flare efficiency is zero.

Project participants should document in the CDM-PDD, which type of flare and which approach
to determine the flare efficiency is used. In case of use of the default value for the methane
destruction efficiency, the manufacturers specifications for the operation of the flare and the
required data and procedures to monitor these specifications should be documented in the CDM-
PDD.

This tool involves the following seven steps:

STEP 1: Determination of the mass flow rate of the residual gas that is flared
STEP 2: Determination of the mass fraction of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen in the
residual gas
STEP 3: Determination of the volumetric flow rate of the exhaust gas on a dry basis
STEP 4: Determination of methane mass flow rate of the exhaust gas on a dry basis
STEP 5: Determination of methane mass flow rate of the residual gas on a dry basis
STEP 6: Determination of the hourly flare efficiency
STEP 7: Calculation of annual project emissions from flaring based on measured hourly values
or based on default flare efficiencies.

Project participants shall apply these steps to calculate project emissions from flaring (PE
flare,y
)
based on the measured hourly flare efficiency or based on the default values for the flare
efficiency (
flare,h
). Note that steps 3 and 4 are only applicable in case of enclosed flares and
continuous monitoring of the flare efficiency.

The calculation procedure in this tool determines the flow rate of methane before and after the
destruction in the flare, taking into account the amount of air supplied to the combustion reaction
and the exhaust gas composition (oxygen and methane). The flare efficiency is calculated for
each hour of a year based either on measurements or default values plus operational parameters.
Project emissions are determined by multiplying the methane flow rate in the residual gas with
the flare efficiency for each hour of the year.
UNFCCC/CCNUCC

Meeting report
Annex 13
page 4

UNFCCC/CCNUCC

Meeting report
Annex 13
page 5

STEP 1. Determination of the mass flow rate of the residual gas that is flared

This step calculates the residual gas mass flow rate in each hour h, based on the volumetric flow
rate and the density of the residual gas. The density of the residual gas is determined based on the
volumetric fraction of all components in the gas.

h RG h n RG h RG
FV FM
, , , ,
= (1)

Where:
Variable SI Unit Description
FM
RG,h
kg/h Mass flow rate of the residual gas in hour h
RG,n,h
kg/m
3
Density of the residual gas at normal conditions in hour h
FV
RG,h
m
3
conditions in the hour h

and:

n
h RG
u
n
h n RG
T
MM
R
P
=
,
, ,
(2)

Where:
RG,n,h
kg/m
3
Density of the residual gas at normal conditions in hour h
P
n
Pa Atmospheric pressure at normal conditions (101 325)
R
u
Pa.m
3
/kmol.K Universal ideal gas constant (8 314)
MM
RG,h
kg/kmol Molecular mass of the residual gas in hour h
T
n
K Temperature at normal conditions (273.15)

and:

) * (
, , i
i
h i h RG
MM fv MM
= (3)
Where:
MM
RG,h
fv
i,h
- Volumetric fraction of component i in the residual gas in the
hour h
MM
i
kg/kmol Molecular mass of residual gas component i
I The components CH
4
, CO, CO
2
, O
2
,H
2
, N
2

As a simplified approach, project participants may only measure the volumetric fraction of
methane and consider the difference to 100% as being nitrogen (N
2
).

UNFCCC/CCNUCC

Meeting report
Annex 13
page 6

STEP 2. Determination of the mass fraction of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen in
the residual gas

Determine the mass fractions of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen in the residual gas,
calculated from the volumetric fraction of each component i in the residual gas, as follows:

h RG,
i j, j
i
h i,
h j,
MM
NA AM fv
fm

=
(4)

Where:
fm
j,h
- Mass fraction of element j in the residual gas in hour h
fv
i,h
- Volumetric fraction of component i in the residual gas in the
hour h
AM
j
kg/kmol

Atomic mass of element j
NA
j,i
- Number of atoms of element j in component i
MM
RG,h
j The elements carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen
i The components CH
4
, CO, CO
2
, O
2
,H
2
, N
2

STEP 3. Determination of the volumetric flow rate of the exhaust gas on a dry basis

This step is only applicable if the methane combustion efficiency of the flare is continuously
monitored.

Determine the average volumetric flow rate of the exhaust gas in each hour h based on a
stoichiometric calculation of the combustion process, which depends on the chemical
composition of the residual gas, the amount of air supplied to combust it and the composition of
the exhaust gas, as follows:

h RG h FG n h FG n
FM V TV
, , , , ,
= (5)

Where:
TV
n,FG,h
m
3
/h Volumetric flow rate of the exhaust gas in dry basis at normal
conditions in hour h
V
n,FG,h
m
3
/kg residual
gas
Volume of the exhaust gas of the flare in dry basis at normal
conditions per kg of residual gas in hour h
FM
RG,h
kg residual
gas/h
Mass flow rate of the residual gas in the hour h
UNFCCC/CCNUCC

Meeting report
Annex 13
page 7

h N n h O n h CO n h FG n
V V V V
, , , , , , , ,
2 2 2
+ + = (6)

Where:
V
n,FG,h
m
3
/kg residual
gas
Volume of the exhaust gas of the flare in dry basis at normal
conditions per kg of residual gas in the hour h
V
n,CO2,h
m
3
/kg residual
gas
Quantity of CO
2
volume free in the exhaust gas of the flare at
normal conditions per kg of residual gas in the hour h
V
n,N2,h
m
3
/kg residual
gas
Quantity of N
2
V
n,O2,h
m
3
/kg residual
gas
Quantity of O
2

n h O h O n
MV n V =
, , ,
2 2
(7)

Where:
V
n,O2,h
m
3
/kg residual
gas
Quantity of O
2
n
O2,h
kmol/kg
residual gas
Quantity of moles O
2
in the exhaust gas of the flare per kg
residual gas flared in hour h
MV
n
m
3
/kmol Volume of one mole of any ideal gas at normal temperature and
pressure (22.4 L/mol)

| |
+
|
|
.
|
\
|
+ =
h O h
O
O
N
h N
n h N n
n F
MF
MF
AM
fm
MV V
,
,
, ,
2
2
2
2
*
1
200
(8)

Where:
V
n,N2,h
m
3
/kg
residual gas
Quantity of N
2
MV
n
m
3
pressure (22.4 m
3
/Kmol)
fm
N,h
-

Mass fraction of nitrogen in the residual gas in the hour h
AM
n
kg/kmol Atomic mass of nitrogen
MF
O2
- O
2
volumetric fraction of air
F
h
kmol/kg
residual gas
Stochiometric quantity of moles of O
2
required for a complete
oxidation of one kg residual gas in hour h
n
O2,h
kmol/kg
residual gas
Quantity of moles O
2

UNFCCC/CCNUCC

Meeting report
Annex 13
page 8

n
C
h C
h CO n
MV
AM
fm
V =
,
, ,
2
(9)

Where:
V
n,CO2,h
m
3
/kg residual
gas
Quantity of CO
2
fm
C,h
-

Mass fraction of carbon in the residual gas in the hour h
AM
C
kg/kmol Atomic mass of carbon
MV
n
m
3
pressure (22.4 m
3
/Kmol)

( )
(
(
|
|
.
|
\
|
+ +
=
h
O
O
N
h N
C
h C
O h O
h O
h O
F
MF
MF
AM
fm
AM
fm
MF t
t
n
2
2
2 2
2
2
1
2 ) / ( 1
, ,
,
,
,
(10)

Where:
n
O2,h
kmol/kg
residual gas
Quantity of moles O
2
t
O2,h
2
in the exhaust gas in the hour h
MF
O2
2
in the air (0.21)
F
h
kmol/kg
residual gas
Stochiometric quantity of moles of O
2
fm
j,h
-

Mass fraction of element j in the residual gas in hour h (from
equation 4)
AM
j
kg/kmol Atomic mass of element j
j The elements carbon (index C) and nitrogen (index N)

O
h O
H
h H
C
h C
h
AM
fm
AM
fm
AM
fm
F
2 4
, , ,
+ = (11)

Where:
F
h
kmol O
2
/kg
residual gas
Stoichiometric quantity of moles of O
2
fm
j,h
-

Mass fraction of element j in the residual gas in hour h (from
equation 4)
AM
j
kg/kmol Atomic mass of element j
j The elements carbon (index C), hydrogen (index H) and oxygen
(index O)
UNFCCC/CCNUCC

Meeting report
Annex 13
page 9

STEP 4. Determination of methane mass flow rate in the exhaust gas on a dry basis

This step is only applicable if the methane combustion efficiency of the flare is continuously
monitored.

The mass flow of methane in the exhaust gas is based on the volumetric flow of the exhaust gas
and the measured concentration of methane in the exhaust gas, as follows:

(12)
1000000
fv * TV
TM
h , FG , 4 CH h , FG , n
h , FG
=

Where:
TM
FG,h
kg/h Mass flow rate of methane in the exhaust gas of the flare in dry
basis at normal conditions in the hour h
TV
n,FG,h
m
3
/h exhaust
gas
Volumetric flow rate of the exhaust gas in dry basis at normal
fv
CH4,FG,h
mg/m
3
Concentration of methane in the exhaust gas of the flare in dry
basis at normal conditions in hour h

STEP 5. Determination of methane mass flow rate in the residual gas on a dry basis

The quantity of methane in the residual gas flowing into the flare is the product of the volumetric
flow rate of the residual gas (FV
RG,h
), the volumetric fraction of methane in the residual gas
(fv
CH4,RG,h
) and the density of methane (
CH4,n,h
) in the same reference conditions (normal
conditions and dry or wet basis).
It is necessary to refer both measurements (flow rate of the residual gas and volumetric fraction of
methane in the residual gas) to the same reference condition that may be dry or wet basis. If the
residual gas moisture is significant (temperature greater than 60C), the measured flow rate of the
residual gas that is usually referred to wet basis should be corrected to dry basis due to the fact
that the measurement of methane is usually undertaken on a dry basis (i.e. water is removed
before sample analysis).
n CH h RG CH h RG h RG
fv FV TM
, 4 , , 4 , ,
= (13)

Where:
TM
RG,h
kg/h Mass flow rate of methane in the residual gas in the hour h
FV
RG,h
m
3
fv
CH4,RG,h
- Volumetric fraction of methane in the residual gas on dry basis
in hour h (NB: this corresponds to fv
i,RG,h
where i refers to
methane).
CH4,n
kg/m
3
Density of methane at normal conditions (0.716)
UNFCCC/CCNUCC

Meeting report
Annex 13
page 10

STEP 6. Determination of the hourly flare efficiency

The determination of the hourly flare efficiency depends on the operation of flare (e.g.
temperature), the type of flare used (open or enclosed) and, in case of enclosed flares, the
approach selected by project participants to determine the flare efficiency (default value or
continuous monitoring).

In case of enclosed flares and continuous monitoring of the flare efficiency, the flare efficiency
in the hour h (
flare,h
) is

0% if the temperature of the exhaust gas of the flare (T
flare
) is below 500 C during more
than 20 minutes during the hour h.
determined as follows in cases where the temperature of the exhaust gas of the flare
(T
flare
) is above 500 C for more than 40 minutes during the hour h :

h RG
h FG
h flare
TM
TM
,
,
,
1 = (14)

Where:
flare,h
- Flare efficiency in the hour h
TM
FG,h
kg/h Methane mass flow rate in exhaust gas averaged in a
period of time t (hour, two months or year)
TM
RG,h
kg/h Mass flow rate of methane in the residual gas in the hour
h

In case of enclosed flares and use of the default value for the flare efficiency, the flare
efficiency in the hour h (
flare,h
) is:

0% if the temperature in the exhaust gas of the flare (T
flare
) is below 500 C for more than
20 minutes during the hour h .
50%, if the temperature in the exhaust gas of the flare (T
flare
) is above 500 C for more
than 40 minutes during the hour h, but the manufacturers specifications on proper
operation of the flare are not met at any point in time during the hour h.
90%, if the temperature in the exhaust gas of the flare (T
flare
) is above 500 C for more
than 40 minutes during the hour h and the manufacturers specifications on proper
operation of the flare are met continuously during the hour h.

In case of open flares, the flare efficiency in the hour h (
flare,h
) is

0% if the flame is not detected for more than 20 minutes during the hour h.
50%, if the flare is detected for more than 20 minutes during the hour h.
UNFCCC/CCNUCC

Meeting report
Annex 13
page 11

STEP 7. Calculation of annual project emissions from flaring

Project emissions from flaring are calculated as the sum of emissions from each hour h, based on
the methane flow rate in the residual gas (TM
RG,h
) and the flare efficiency during each hour h
(
flare,h
), as follows:

( )
1000
1
4
8760
1
, , ,
CH
h
h flare h RG y flare
GWP
TM PE =
=
(15)

Where:
PE
flare,y
tCO
2
e Project emissions from flaring of the residual gas stream in year
y
TM
RG,h
kg/h Mass flow rate of methane in the residual gas in the hour h
flare,h
- Flare efficiency in hour h
GWP
CH4
tCO
2
e/tCH
4
Global Warming Potential of methane valid for the commitment
period

Data and parameters not monitored

The only parameters and data that is not monitored are the constants used in equations, as listed in
Table 1 below.

Table 1. Constants used in equations
Parameter SI Unit Description Value
MM
CH4
kg/kmol Molecular mass of methane 16.04
MM
CO
kg/kmol Molecular mass of carbon monoxide 28.01
MM
CO2
kg/kmol Molecular mass of carbon dioxide 44.01
MM
O2
kg/kmol Molecular mass of oxygen 32.00
MM
H2
kg/kmol Molecular mass of hydrogen 2.02
MM
N2
kg/kmol Molecular mass of nitrogen 28.02
AM
c
kg/kmol
(g/mol)
Atomic mass of carbon 12.00
AM
h
kg/kmol
(g/mol)
Atomic mass of hydrogen 1.01
AM
o
kg/kmol
(g/mol)
Atomic mass of oxygen 16.00
AM
n
kg/kmol
(g/mol)
Atomic mass of nitrogen 14.01
P
n
Pa Atmospheric pressure at normal conditions 101 325
R
u
Pa.m
3
/kmol.K Universal ideal gas constant 8 314.472
T
n
K Temperature at normal conditions 273.15
MF
O2
Dimensionless O
2
volumetric fraction of air 0.21
GWP
CH4
tCO
2
/tCH
4
Global warming potential of methane 21
MV
n
m
3
/Kmol Volume of one mole of any ideal gas at normal 22.414
UNFCCC/CCNUCC

Meeting report
Annex 13
page 12

Parameter SI Unit Description Value
temperature and pressure
CH4, n
kg/m
3
Density of methane gas at normal conditions 0.716
NA
i,j
Dimensionless Number of atoms of element j in component i,
depending on molecular structure

III. MONITORING METHODOLOGY PROCEDURE

Data and parameters to be monitored

All monitored data must be linked in time, i.e. calculations shall be performed considering only a
set of data acquired in the same time interval in case of continuous monitoring. As noted above,
project participants may use one hour or a smaller discrete time interval.

Data / Parameter: fv
i,h
Data unit: -
Description: Volumetric fraction of component i in the residual gas in the hour h where
i = CH
4
, CO, CO
2
, O
2
,H
2
, N
2

Source of data: Measurements by project participants using a continuous gas analyser
Measurement
procedures:
Ensure that the same basis (dry or wet) is considered for this measurement
and the measurement of the volumetric flow rate of the residual gas (FV
RG,h
)
when the residual gas temperature exceeds 60 C
Monitoring
frequency:
Continuously. Values to be averaged hourly or at a shorter time interval
QA/QC procedures Analysers must be periodically calibrated according to the manufacturers
recommendation. A zero check and a typical value check should be
performed by comparison with a standard certified gas.
Any comment: As a simplified approach, project participants may only measure the
methane content of the residual gas and consider the remaining part as N
2
.

Data / Parameter: FV
RG,h
Data unit: m
3
/h
Description: Volumetric flow rate of the residual gas in dry basis at normal conditions in
the hour h
Source of data: Measurements by project participants using a flow meter
Measurement
procedures:
Ensure that the same basis (dry or wet) is considered for this measurement
and the measurement of volumetric fraction of all components in the
residual gas (fv
i,h
) when the residual gas temperature exceeds 60 C
Monitoring
frequency:
QA/QC procedures Flow meters are to be periodically calibrated according to the
manufacturers recommendation.
Any comment:

UNFCCC/CCNUCC

Meeting report
Annex 13
page 13

Data / Parameter: t
O2,h
Data unit: -
Description: Volumetric fraction of O
2
in the exhaust gas of the flare in the hour h
Measurement
procedures:
Extractive sampling analysers with water and particulates removal devices
or in situ analysers for wet basis determination. The point of measurement
(sampling point) shall be in the upper section of the flare (80% of total flare
height). Sampling shall be conducted with appropriate sampling probes
adequate to high temperatures level (e.g. inconel probes). An excessively
high temperature at the sampling point (above 700 C) may be an indication
that the flare is not being adequately operated or that its capacity is not
adequate to the actual flow.
Monitoring
frequency:
QA/QC procedures Analysers must be periodically calibrated according to the manufacturers
performed by comparison with a standard gas.
Any comment: Monitoring of this parameter is only applicable in case of enclosed flares
and continuous monitoring of the flare efficiency.

Data / Parameter: fv
CH4,FG,h
Data unit: mg/m
3

Description: Concentration of methane in the exhaust gas of the flare in dry basis at
normal conditions in the hour h
Measurement
procedures:
Extractive sampling analysers with water and particulates removal devices
or in situ analyser for wet basis determination. The point of measurement
(sampling point) shall be in the upper section of the flare (80% of total flare
height). Sampling shall be conducted with appropriate sampling probes
adequate to high temperatures level (e.g. inconel probes). An excessively
high temperature at the sampling point (above 700 C) may be an indication
that the flare is not being adequately operated or that its capacity is not
adequate to the actual flow.
Monitoring
frequency:
QA/QC procedures Analysers must be periodically calibrated according to manufacturers
performed by comparison with a standard gas.
Any comment: Monitoring of this parameter is only applicable in case of enclosed flares
and continuous monitoring of the flare efficiency. Measurement
instruments may read ppmv or % values. To convert from ppmv to mg/m
3

simply multiply by 0.716. 1% equals 10 000 ppmv.

UNFCCC/CCNUCC

Meeting report
Annex 13
page 14

Data / Parameter: T
flare
Data unit: C
Description: Temperature in the exhaust gas of the flare
Source of data: Measurements by project participants
Measurement
procedures:
Measure the temperature of the exhaust gas stream in the flare by a Type N
thermocouple. A temperature above 500 C indicates that a significant
amount of gases are still being burnt and that the flare is operating.

Monitoring
frequency:
Continuously.
QA/QC procedures Thermocouples should be replaced or calibrated every year.
Any comment: An excessively high temperature at the sampling point (above 700 C) may
be an indication that the flare is not being adequately operated or that its
capacity is not adequate to the actual flow.

Data / Parameter: Other flare operation parameters
Data unit: -
Description: This should include all data and parameters that are required to monitor
whether the flare operates within the range of operating conditions
according to the manufacturers specifications including a flame detector in
case of open flares.
Source of data: Measurements by project participants
Measurement
procedures:

Monitoring
frequency:
Continuously
QA/QC procedures
Any comment: Only applicable in case of use of a default value

IV. REFERENCES

Fundamentals of Classical Thermodynamics; Gordon J. Van Wylen, Richard E. Sonntag and
Claus Borgnakke; 4 Edition, 1994, John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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UNFCCC/CCNUCC

CDM Executive Board EB 28

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