Industrial flare environmental performance and emissions

TOTeM 53 will take place on 22nd-24th June in Sheffield, UK. 

In the last few years, there has been a growing interest and commitment among various operating companies to address the issue of methane emissions from flares. Methane, a potent greenhouse gas, has a significant impact on climate change, and its reduction is crucial for achieving global environmental goals. Companies across different industries are recognizing the importance of mitigating methane emissions and are taking proactive steps to implement more sustainable practices. This commitment is driven by both environmental concerns and the increasing regulatory pressures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

After a successful TOTeM on Industrial Flares in Hawaii in 2010, the IFRF is announcing another TOTeM on Industrial flares. The meeting will review recent progress on:

• New results on methane destruction efficiency measurements in controlled conditions
• Destruction efficiencies of hydrogen an ammonia flares
• Flare technologies to maximize flare combustion and destruction efficiencies
• Regulatory requirements
• CFD modelling of industrial flares
• Optical diagnostics for flare performance monitoring

Venue

Sheffield Town Hall, Pinstone Street, Sheffield S1 2HH, UK.

Sheffield Town Hall is located in the heart of the city centre, within walking distance of rail links, park & ride facilities and city centre parking. Direct trains from London St Pancras International to Sheffield take less than 2 hours, so European participant are encouraged to travel by train.

Nearest train station: Sheffield station, Sheaf Street, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, S1 2BP.  From there, the Town Hall is a 7-10 minute taxi ride, with cabs available outside the station or by pre-booking, or a 9 minute walk. 

Tram: Sheffield has a tram system which can take you to links across the city. The closest tram stops to the Town Hall are Cathedral, Castle Square, City Hall and West Street tram stops.  

By car and taxi: You can order taxis in Sheffield via Uber, Bolt or the local service Veezu (+44 01179 252626 or via the app). If you are planning to drive, information about city centre car parking can be found here. 

Nearest airports: The closest airports to Sheffield are Manchester, Leeds Bradford, and East Midlands. Manchester Airport is the best option for Sheffield, with easy onward train travel.

Call for abstracts

A call for abstracts for either oral presentations or posters will be launched shortly.

Key dates

• Conference dates: 22nd – 24th June 2027

Keynote speakers

To be announced.

Draft Programme

Tuesday 22nd June 2027 – Day 1 – Background, recent experimental studies, legislation
08:00	Arrival, poster session and refreshments
09:00	Introduction and opening IFRF
09:15	Introduction to BFRC and the flare working group BFRC
09:30	Historical overview of flare efficiency IFRF
10:00	BREAK
10:30	Flare-in-a-box flare emissions testing Greens combustion
11:00	Uncertainty analysis TBC
11:30	Using experimental data TBC
12:00	LUNCH
13:00	Science TBC
13:30	Science TBC
14:00	Legislation – state of affairs TBC
14:30	BREAK
15:00	Legislation – UK Environment Agency
15:30	Legislation – Europe TBC
16:00	Legislation – USA TBC
16:30	Roundtable 1 – CE, DE, DRE definitions, measurement methods
17:15	End of day 1
Wednesday 23rd June 2027 – Day 2 – Industry experience and supplier developments, H2 flares, NH3 flares
08:00	Arrival, poster session and refreshments
09:00	Operations TBC
09:30	Operations TBC
10:00	Operations TBC
10:30	BREAK
11:00	Operations TBC
11:30	Operations TBC
12:00	Flare vendor TBC
12:30	LUNCH
13:30	Flare vendor TBC
14:00	Flare vendor TBC
14:30	Flare vendor TBC
15:00	BREAK
15:30	Flare vendor TBC
16:00	Flare vendor TBC
16:30	Roundtable 2
17:15	End of day 2
Thursday 24th June 2027 – Day 3 – Flare diagnostics, flow metering, CFD modelling
08:00	Arrival, poster session and refreshments
09:00	CFD TBC
09:30	CFD TBC
10:00	PEMS TBC
10:30	BREAK
11:00	PEMS TBC
11:30	PEMS TBC
12:00	Imagery fundamentals TBC
12:30	LUNCH
13:30	Camera TBC
14:00	Satellites TBC
14:30	Drones TBC
15:00	BREAK
15:30	Drones TBC
16:00	Measurement/modelling TBC
16:30	Roundtable and conference takeaways
17:15	End of conference

Registration and ticket prices

Fee for students	£450
Fee for IFRF or BFRC Members	£700
Fee for Speakers	£600
Fee for non IFRF and non BFRC Members	£800

Hotels

Sheffield, particularly the city centre, is home to a range of hotels with easy access to the Town Hall. More information to be confirmed soon.

Cancellation policy

If IFRF should have to postpone an event, IFRF shall notify you as soon as possible and provide you with a new date for the delivery of the event. If IFRF should have to cancel the event, IFRF shall provide you with a full refund of the ticket price only. Should you wish to cancel any booking of an event in advance of the event date, notice should be sent to administration@ifrf.net as soon as possible, you will be entitled to the following refund:

• More than 28 days before the event date: 100 %
• Between 22 and 28 days before the event date: 75 %
• Between 15 and 21 days before the event date: 50 %
• 14 days or less before the event date: 0 %

Instructions for authors

Oral presentations

• The oral presentations are planned for 15 minute plus 5 minutes Q&A,
• Authors are asked to send an electronic version (pptx, odp or pdf) before the event to administration@ifrf.net
• A distributable version in pdf is also asked for the proceedings, to be available in the ifrf.net website,
• Please note that authors will not be allowed to connect their own computer to the video system.

Posters and fast presentations

• Poster format can be A0 or A1, vertical, binder clips or magnets will be provided,
• A pdf version of your poster is asked for the proceedings, before 13 May 2026,
• A fast oral presentation (2 min, maximum 2 slides) is required, please send the file for the presentation (pptx, odp or pdf), and a distributable version in pdf for the proceedings, before 13 May 2026,
• Please note that authors will not be allowed to connect their own computer to the video system.

We do not provide printing service, but if you want your poster to be delivered on site, you can send it to administration@sheffield.ac.uk to discuss print options.

Sponsorship opportunities

IFRF is a research and networking hub of the global industrial combustion community. The IFRF network extends from the Americas through Europe to Central and East Asia, and to Australia, covering the power generation, petroleum refining, iron and steel, cement, glass, and chemical industries as well as combustion equipment manufacturers, fuels and industrial gas producers and distributors, research institutes and universities.

Your organisation will be able to reach a highly targeted group of industrial engineers and academics by sponsoring a conference.

Sponsorship packages

Our sponsorship packages offer a variety of benefits tailored to meet your specific marketing objectives, elevate your brand and strengthen your industry presence. Sponsors will have the opportunity to connect with key decision-makers, showcase their brand to a global community of scientists and engineers, and contribute to the advancement of combustion research.

Sponsorship costs for this event are set at: £3,500.

This includes at least:

• Two tickets to the event
• A stand area for you to promote your products at the event
• Your name and logo on all major promotional material
• More activity based on your specific requirements

Organising committee

Technical committee: 

Jacques Dugué – IFRF
Richard Withnall – Greens Combustion/BFRC

Operational committee: 

Greg Kelsall – IFRF
Sébastien Caillat – Fives Group/IFRF
Siobhan Green – IFRF
Rhianne Barden – IFRF