Overview - ISO 22580:2020 (Flares for combustion of biogas)
ISO 22580:2020 specifies requirements for the design, manufacture, installation and operation of flares for combustion of biogas, including test methods and performance requirements. It covers flares used across biogas installations - from wastewater treatment and landfill sites to food & beverage plants, small agricultural digesters and household-scale systems - and addresses safety, emissions control and reliable combustion of methane-rich gas.
Key topics and technical requirements
The standard focuses on practical and safety-critical elements of biogas flares. Major topics include:
- Flare classifications: open flare, enclosed flare, and enclosed high-efficiency flare (defined by visibility of flame, combustion temperature and monitored retention time).
- Combustion performance: requirements for combustion yield (methane destruction), burning residence time and turn-down ratio to ensure effective oxidation across a wide methane range (biogas methane content can vary widely).
- Design & construction: pressure, air supply, gas flow, burner design, materials, flame arresters, insulation, heat protection and strength/stability calculations.
- Ignition & safety systems: pilot burner, ignition device, burner control unit, ignition transformer, flame monitoring devices (UV/ionization), safety valves and control systems.
- Instrumentation & testing: flow measuring, gas analysis, condensate removal, testing procedures and performance verification.
- Operations & maintenance: requirements for operation and maintenance manuals, regular testing, inspections and documented maintenance to ensure safe long‑term operation.
- Site safety: distances to other objects, lightning protection/earthing, and consideration of explosive atmospheres.
Applications and practical value
ISO 22580 helps stakeholders implement flares that:
- Improve workplace and site safety by preventing explosive atmospheres and controlling hazardous gases.
- Reduce methane emissions and odour from biogas production and landfill gas.
- Ensure consistent combustion performance for intermittent or continuous operations.
- Provide clear technical criteria for procurement, installation, commissioning and reporting.
Typical users include:
- Plant operators (wastewater, landfill, food & beverage, agricultural digesters)
- Flare and burner manufacturers
- Design and installation engineers
- Safety and maintenance managers
- Regulators and environmental compliance teams
- Project owners and procurement officers
Related standards
Standards referenced in ISO 22580 include:
Using ISO 22580:2020 supports safer, more efficient biogas flare systems and helps organizations meet environmental and operational objectives related to methane control and combustion safety.
