Crude Distillation Optimization

The Crude distillation unit is the first and crucial process in the refinery. Accurate and frequent quality predictions of the feed and product run downs dramatically increase the performance of the distillation tower and also of the entire refinery downstream processes. Depending on the crude slate, applying efficient monitoring provides benefits from  2 to 6 MUS/year

TECHNOLOGY SUMMARY

The multi-stream fibered NIR analyzer equipped with Topnir models provides the full suite of properties of several streams.

The analyze cycle takes about 1 minute per stream.  
Some of our commissioned applications provide around 117 properties to the DCS from this single analyzer.

Topnir systems takes full responsibility of the global turnkey project including:

•  NIR hardware,

• Specific sampling system

• Certified analyzer shelter

• Model development

• System commissioning

• End User Training

INCREASE BENEFITS

Maximize Advanced Process Control efficiency

• Increase throughput

• Maximize Product separation

• Push the process toward measured quality constraints

• Maintain the process on constraint

• Minimize Process fluctuation

• Achieve the run-down product expected quality

Maximize Feed and process campaign switch efficiency

• Minimize transition time

• Minimize Residue yield increase

• Minimize transition associated risks

Savings: 2- 6 M$/Year 

Return on investment capital less than 6 months  

KEY ADVANTAGES

Accurate and robust model

The predictions accuracy ensures a tight control on key properties. In addition, The Topnir robustness allows accounting for large Crude slates and multiple process campaigns.

Easy model maintenance

Due to market and management demand, the processed Crude slate usually changes.
The self-learning facility of Topnir allows to easily keep the model up to date with a regular addition of new samples into Topnir database.

Easy integration with existing APC

Topnir sends the quality information to the DCS to feed the existing advanced process control and optimization systems.  
The feed quality provided by Topnir is usually considered as a feed forward in a multivariable controller.  
Topnir can also be combined to the existing inferential platform to update the true value more frequently and therefore dramatically improve the inferential calculation accuracy.  

Multiple stream systems

Many streams can be analyzed from a single analyzer and a single processor. The network IR can be equipped with a maximum of 8 measurement cells; however, different products can be analyzed in the same cell.So far, the most complex application installed handled. However our analyszer can handle up to 32 streams.  
The global cost of the system as well as the yearly maintenance requirements are dramatically reduced compared to the installation of multiple conventional analyzers. 

Proven Crude Oil sampling system

Very specific sampling and handling system has been developed for Crude Oil and successfully implemented in several production sites. The system handles heavy material.  

REAL CASE STUDY

Throughput: 250.000bbl/day ; Large crude slate, multiple campaigns; Gross refinery Margin: 4.2$/bbl