Zeeco’s QFS series flare is a proven, reliable technology that utilizes steam injection to suppress smoke. The injection of steam inspirates air into the combustion zone and provides turbulence to mix the air with the waste gas for complete smokeless combustion. The steam also lowers the local combustion temperature, reduces the high-temperature thermal cracking of many hydrocarbons, and eliminates incipient smoke. The proprietary QFS steam nozzle uses a number of injection ports to successfully reduce steam injection noise to a level well below that of conventional steam-assisted flare tips. The impact of steam injection at the flare tip exit point is critical for more than just smokeless performance. The steam also shapes the flare flame in high-wind conditions, eliminating the downwind flame impingement experienced on many non-assisted flare tips. The steam also helps reduce the radiation level at grade by lowering the emissivity of the flare flame, and by providing vertical energy to keep the flame erect in a crosswind.
The QFS flare utilizes the unique arrangement of proprietary flame stabilization tabs to ensure stable and high-efficiency flaring through the entire design range of flows, from maximum emergency flaring rates to purge gas flows. The flame stabilization tabs create a low-pressure zone at the perimeter of the flare tip gas exit point and work in conjunction with continuous pilots to ensure proper ignition of the waste gas. Zeeco’s tabs are unique investment castings that are mounted to the flare barrel using plug welds, eliminating stress risers and cracking associated with linear welding in high heat zones.