(117b) A Unique Approach to Process Optimization Using Crude Characterization and Blending

Crude diet characterization is crucial for Refinery Optimization. It affects firstly Planning and Scheduling activities and secondly Process Optimization of individual Units as also Blending Plants. A good understanding of the crude entering to the refinery has an impact on the planning and affects all the Refinery operations.

Crude Oil qualities available on the market today are wider than in the past. Indeed, new Oil fields coming with conventional or synthetic Crude oils as well as with Shale oils make more critical Crude Oil Management at the Refinery gate.

Real time knowledge of crude quality should allow firstly appropriate crude tank allocation is easier and safer in terms of Crude compatibility. Moreover, having the vector of properties of crude available on-line in real time leads getting full value of crude in refining downstream processes. Topnir technology delivers such information every minute online and off-line.

It gives also a significant advantage in terms of Crude blending operation, with the capability of smoothing crude feed quality to CDU Plants. Indeed, short terms fluctuations of feed properties introduces instability into the unit, necessitating larger offsets from constraints. In the time frame of days, changes in the crude mix necessitate operational changes. Thus steady operation over a longer period enables better optimization of the unit by pushing against the appropriate constraints.

This paper describes the unique approach for Crude identification and characterization as well as the technology and real cases studies.