Improving Operational Performance When Processing Opportunity Crudes

Opportunity crudes have been sought after for several years due to affordability and the challenges include accelerated fouling, bottlenecks, slowdowns, and unscheduled shutdowns. However, a combination of instrumentation and software are continuously improving to allow for crude diversity.

This presentation examines the measurement and control technologies and IIoT strategies that are available to enable refineries to avoid problems and maximize profits while successfully processing opportunity crudes. The technologies discussed allow refiners to quickly characterize crude properties, adjust feedstock blending, monitor for asset deterioration including both corrosion and exchanger fouling and optimize chemical injection and desalter operations effectively. Many of these technologies can be incorporated into an IIoT strategy which would include wirelessHART sensors, remote monitoring, analysis, and interpretation of data, leading to actionable insights that improve operating performance.

Summarizing, it is suggested that moving the perspective from sensor technology to actionable information requirements and digital use of data will provide increased safety combined with enhanced operational profit.