Samsung Total Petrochemicals Co., Ltd. replaced a steam-assisted flare tip at their main olefin plant in Daesan, Korea, with the STEAMIZER® XP™ technology from John Zink to increase smokeless capacity, enhance steam efficiency, improve flame stability, and reduce noise pollution. The results were impressive: smokeless capacity increased by approximately 195%, from 40,000 kg/hr to 117,800 kg/hr, using the same steam supply rate, and the flare became quieter and more stable. This success led Samsung Total to order another STEAMIZER XP-60 for the same facility.
The Situation
Samsung Total Petrochemicals Co., Ltd., a major petrochemical company, needed to replace a large steam-assisted flare tip at their main olefin (ethylene production) plant. Samsung Total Petrochemicals operates a large petrochemical complex consisting of 13 separate plants, at Daesan, in Korea’s Chungnam Province.
Mr. Min-Sung Jeon, Manager of Maintenance Team, contacted John Zink explaining that Samsung Total needed to accomplish four main goals: increase the smokeless capacity for the main olefin flare; increase steam efficiency; increase flame stability and reduce noise pollution.
Due to limitations of the smokeless operation performance of the existing flare, local government challenged the company to increase the smokeless capacity as much as possible. Samsung Total also wanted to lower noise during certain operating conditions and maximize the steam efficiency of day-to-day operations; steam availability was also an issue for the plant.
The Solution
Samsung Total performed an evaluation of flare technologies available in the marketplace. During the review, Samsung Total became very interested in the ultra-high performance characteristics of the state-of-the-art STEAMIZER® XP™ steam flare technology. To better understand the capabilities of the technology, a team of Samsung Total officials attended the John Zink InstituteSM Flare School, and while touring our International Headquarters in Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA, gathered additional information. After extensive analysis, Samsung Total chose the STEAMIZER XP flare technology for their application.
The Result
Since start-up, no smoke has been observed, clearly achieving the initial expectation. A comparison of the previous steam flare technology to the new XP technology, using the same steam supply rate, the smokeless capacity was increased by approximately 195% (from 40,000 kg/hr to 117,800 kg/hr). Samsung Total was also pleased with the flame stability and that the flare has been noticeably quieter during day-to-day operations. The results of the detailed flare test showed that the STEAMIZER XP flare tip accomplished all of Samsung Total’s goals:
- Increased smokeless performance
- Significantly improved steam efficiency
- Reduced noise pollution
- Greater flame stability
The STEAMIZER XP steam-assisted flare is a world-class system designed to minimize smoke and reduce steam consumption. Samsung Total’s project results validate the effectiveness of XP flare tips to substantially improve steam efficiency without sacrificing the operating efficiency of the flare. The results were so impressive that Samsung Total placed an order for another STEAMIZER XP-60 to be installed at the same facility.
