What is the primary effect of injecting steam into flare stacks?

Injecting steam into flare stacks primarily serves to improve combustion efficiency and reduce emissions. The addition of steam enhances the mixing of fuel gases in the flare, promoting more complete combustion. This results in less unburned hydrocarbons being released into the atmosphere, hence lowering emissions significantly. By facilitating a more thorough and efficient combustion process, steam injection ensures that the combustion products are primarily carbon dioxide and water vapor, which are far less harmful than the hydrocarbons that would otherwise be emitted.

Improving combustion efficiency also helps in reducing the formation of soot and other particulate matter, which can contribute to air pollution. Therefore, the primary purpose of this technique is fully aligned with optimal environmental compliance and operational efficiency in flare systems.