17-09-2024

KBC acquires software provider specializing in flare system designs Flaretot

KBC (A Yokogawa Company) announces its acquisition of Flaretot® Limited, a leading simulation software provider specializing in the design and evaluation of flare systems for hydrocarbon processing plants. Targeting engineers, safety professionals, and environmental compliance specialists, Flaretot’s flare system modeling solution will help track and reduce fugitive emissions. Once integrated into KBC’s software portfolio and backed by KBC’s consulting expertise, it will provide greater value. This integration will help companies accelerate their implementation of decarbonization strategies and support the oil and gas industry as it contends with strict environmental regulations and the need to make progress toward net zero goals.

Engineers in the oil and gas industry face challenges when accurately simulating and sizing relief valves, flare system networks, and pressure vessels during blowdown events. Traditional tools are often inadequate, leading to inaccurate calculations, regulatory non-compliance, and heightened safety risks. Integrating Flaretot’s technology with KBC’s solutions streamlines these processes across the plant lifecycle, from design to operations, to ensure safety while reducing environmental impact.

With the technology acquired from Flaretot, KBC will provide the following benefits:
- Multi-scale Process Model. A more complete representation of production and processing facilities in steady state, life of field, and dynamic modes.

- Advanced thermodynamics. Powered by Multiflash®, advanced thermodynamics and hydraulic modeling capabilities enable accurate modeling of hydrocarbon fluids, natural gas, chemicals, biofuels, carbon dioxide, hydrogen, steam, and more.

- Relief load. Accurate simulation and sizing of relief devices protects vessels, heat exchangers, and more.

- Flare radiation and plume calculation. Calculates the evolution of flare radiation and the plume of pollutants from multiple flare points while considering local ambient conditions to predict and mitigate environmental impact.

In the hydrocarbon industry, KBC's flare simulation offering aims to guide businesses through the complexities of digital transformation. Integrating Flaretot’s technology introduces advanced blowdown capabilities that accurately predict the depressurization of pressure vessels, estimate liquid dropout, and assess cooling of fluids and facilities to avoid thermal shocks, as well as provide noise calculation features to ensure compliance with regulations.

Since 2014, KBC has served as a reseller of Flaretot's technology. Incorporating their offerings will expand KBC's portfolio to include pressure system regulations work, process safety advice, and enhanced strategic energy reviews, and will also provide a boost to the company’s upstream and downstream digital twin capabilities. Since Flaretot’s founding in 2012, their software has been used by hydrocarbon operators and vendors to size pressure relief systems and comply with safety regulations. "This acquisition offers Flaretot the opportunity to reach a global market, and we chose KBC due to their strong track record and market presence," said Dhiren Madlani, Flaretot's founder.

Regarding the acquisition, Takayuki Matsubara, CEO of KBC, emphasized, "As we evolve and scale our offerings, we help process plants in the hydrocarbon industry keep pace. This integration opens new opportunities for software innovation, propelling the industry towards a future focused on Bringing Decarbonization to LifeTM.”