Using a combination of field visits, laboratory experiments and analyses, this study examined the impacts of illegal artisanal crude oil refineries on the environment. Total Hydrocarbons (THC) and heavy metals in the soil and water bodies as well as pr were determined and compared with both national international standards. The study found THC and heavy metals such as Iron and Manganese to be significantly high in both soil and water samples. It was found that the artisanal crude oil refining activities in the Niger Delta Area of Nigeria generate and discharge environmental safety hazards that are far beyond the statutory and intentional acceptable limits.

Safety and reliability of the flare system are often affected by High Back-Pressure (HBP). The primary aim of this study is to simulate a steady-state model of flare system using Aspen Flare System Analyzer and with the aid of real plant data generated from Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company (KRPC) Ltd, Nigeria. Three credible scenarios (normal operation/surplus fuel, cooling water failure and power failure) were considered. The results showed that the steady-state model of flare system for normal operation (Surplus Fuel), cooling failure and power failure scenario and the flare system meet performance requirements at a system back pressure of 1.01325 bar, except for cooling water failure scenario which showed the occurrence of high fluid velocity and momentum (rhoV 2). Also, flare operation at normal back pressure, for all three scenarios does not exceed design and operational limits. The work recommends that KRPC managers should review options for reducing HBP particularly for cooling failure and power failure scenarios such that the back pressure would not exceed 10% of set pressure for the conventional valves.