Simulation and characterization in the refining industry: A review

CATEGORY: SIMULATION 
Simulation and characterization in the refining industry: A review

Type	Journal Article
Author	Sumaya A. Mohamed
Author	Dhallia Mamoun Beshir
URL	Free Full Text Source:  http://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ali_Rabah/publication/267640091_Simulation_and_characterization_in_the_refining_industry_A_review/links/545718980cf2cf51648041b4.pdf
Volume	5
Issue	3
Pages	26-30
Publication	Journal of Petroleum Technology and Alternative Fuels
Date	2014
Abstract	Authors' objective is to review the simulation technologies and characterization techniques which have been used in the refining industry. It is found that simulation can be used in crude oil scheduling, predicting wax preciptiation, asphaltene despostion, and for fractionation of crude oil based on equilibrium stage relations. The review clearly illustrates that the spectroscopic techniques (IR/FTIR, NMR, NIR); chromatographic techniques; true boiling point; solvent precipitation; refractive index; differential scanning calorimeter and thermogravimetry; and near-infrared region are mostly used in characterizing crue oil.

A novel high level canonical piecewise linear model based on the simplicial partition and its application

CATEGORY: SIMULATION
2013 10th IEEE International Conference on Control and Automation (ICCA), 12-14 June 2013, Page(s): 1856 – 1861, Hangzhou Digital Object Identifier :10.1109/ICCA.2013.6565070
A novel high level canonical piecewise linear model based on the simplicial partition and its application
Xiaoyong Gao ; Yongheng Jiang ; Dexian Huang ; Zhihua Xiong
Dept. of Autom., Tsinghua Univ., Beijing, China
Abstract
Piecewise linear model is able to handle complex nonlinearity and maintain linearity in subregions. The compact representations of piecewise linear (PWL) such as hinging hyperplanes (HH), generalized hinging hyperplanes (GHH) and so on have been introduced. However, during parameters training, the partitions are uncontrollable and unpredictable, resulting in a large number of crossing subregions, the so-called curse of partitions. This makes real world applications difficult. Authors present an innovative high level canonical piecewise linear model based on simplex partition designed to tackle the curse of partitions.
They conduct a number of numerical experiments to demonstrate the effectiveness of the model. They employ Petro-SIM to simulate the refinery hydro-upgrading processing units (HUPUs). Scheduling models of HUPUs are obtained with the model. Simulation experiments demonstrate that not only can the model formulation maintain a relatively high fitting accuracy, it also avoids the curse of partitions.
Full Text Source (Subscription or Fee): http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/xpls/abs_all.jsp?arnumber=6565070

Thermodynamic Modeling and Process Simulation through PIONA Characterization

CATEGORY: SIMULATION
Thermodynamic Modeling and Process Simulation through PIONA Characterization
Glen Hay , Herbert Loria *, and Marco A. Satyro
Virtual Materials Group, #222 1829 Ranchlands Blvd. NW, Calgary, Alberta T3G 2A7, Canada
Energy Fuels, 2013, 27 (6), pp 3578–3584, DOI: 10.1021/ef400286m
Abstract
Individual components may not be able to represent the structure of heavy hydrocarbons.  This is due to the fact that such materials are formed by several chemical species which are difficult to characterize with the current analytical techniques.
Lumped component techniques can be used to model these types of hydrocarbons. This procedure often combines a number of pure compounds into groups with average physical properties. However, the technique fails for separations that are chemically driven due to the lack of chemical information in the lumped component groups. Authors present a novel approach of the lumped characterization technique. The method consists of using constant slates of selected compounds to cover the carbon number ranges of interest for the modeling of various refinery reactors. The different combinations of the component slates make it possible to match the experimental distillation curve of a given feed and calculate its chemical characteristics ranging from simple properties such as molecular weight and standard density to PIONA (n-paraffin, iso-paraffin, olefin, naphtene, and aromatic) characterization data. The advantage of this new method is the capture of the essential chemistry of the feedstock that affects property calculations while keeping a constant and consistent component list.
Full Text Source (Subscription or Fee): http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/ef400286m

System and Method for Mapping Component Bases Using a Chemical Process Simulator

CATEGORY: SIMULATION
PATENT
System And Method For Mapping Component Bases Using A Chemical Process Simulator
United States Patent Application 20120232870
Inventors:
Devereux, Brian M. (Elk Grove Village, IL, US)
Application Number:
13/043353
Publication Date:
09/13/2012
Assignee:
Honeywell International Inc. (Morristown, NJ, US)
Abstract:
A method includes identifying a simulated input flow stream associated with a chemical processing facility. The input flow stream includes an input component basis with multiple components having one or more properties that differ. The method also includes converting the input flow stream into a simulated output flow stream, which includes an output component basis that differs from the input component basis and comprises a single, active group of oil components and zero or more pure components. A pure component property of a pure component in the input flow stream could be combined with an oil component property of an oil component in the input flow stream. A pure component property of a pure component in the input flow stream could also be transferred to a pure component in the output flow stream without combination. An oil component property of an oil component in the input flow stream could further be mapped to an oil component property of the single output oil component.
TECHNICAL FIELD
This disclosure is generally directed to simulation tools. More specifically, this disclosure is directed to a system and method for mapping component bases using a chemical process simulator.
BACKGROUND
Simulation tools have often been used to model the behavior of industrial processes. In many cases, these simulation tools can reduce the efforts needed to develop representative process models. Chemical process simulators are a particular type of simulation tool that model the behavior of chemical processes, such as those chemical processes in a chemical processing plant.
SUMMARY
This disclosure provides a system and method for mapping component bases using a chemical process simulator.
In a first embodiment, a method includes identifying a simulated input flow stream associated with a chemical processing facility. The input flow stream includes an input component basis with multiple components having one or more properties that differ. The method also includes converting the input flow stream into a simulated output flow stream, which includes an output component basis that differs from the input flow stream and contains a single, active group of oil components and zero or more pure components.
In a second embodiment, an apparatus includes at least one memory unit configured to store information defining a simulated input flow stream associated with a chemical processing facility. The input flow stream includes an input component basis with multiple components having one or more properties that differ. The apparatus also includes at least one processing unit configured to convert the input flow stream into a simulated output flow stream, which includes an output component basis that differs from the input flow stream and contains a single, active group of oil components and zero or more pure components.
In a third embodiment, a computer readable medium embodies a computer program. The computer program includes computer readable program code for identifying a simulated input flow stream associated with a chemical processing facility. The input flow stream includes an input component basis with multiple components having one or more properties that differ. The computer program also includes computer readable program code for converting the input flow stream into a simulated output flow stream, which includes an output component basis that differs from the input flow stream and contains a single, active group of oil components and zero or more pure components.
Other technical features may be readily apparent to one skilled in the art from the following figures, descriptions, and claims.
Free Full Text Source: http://www.freepatentsonline.com/y2012/0232870.html

Applying Work Domain Analysis to Scope Micro- or Scaled World Simulator Design: A Petrochemical Domain Case Study

CATEGORY: SIMULATION
Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting September 2012 vol. 56 no. 1 378-382
Applying Work Domain Analysis to Scope Micro- or Scaled World Simulator Design: A Petrochemical Domain Case Study
Antony Hilliard
University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
Abstract
Interactive human-in-the-loop simulators are a cost-effective and safe way to train workers in challenging work situations, and to more tractably research human performance. However, because there are no systematic methods to guide simulator design, developing lower-fidelity microworld or scaled world simulators is difficult.
Authors describe how the modeling distinctions used in Work Domain Analysis (WDA) can be applied to support designers in making and explaining decisions on simulator scope. Three examples are demonstrated in a petrochemical case study.
Full Text Source (Subscription or Fee): http://pro.sagepub.com/content/56/1/378.short

Applying Work Domain Analysis to Scope Micro- or Scaled World Simulator Design: A Petrochemical Domain Case Study

CATEGORY: SIMULATION
Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting September 2012 56: 378-382
Applying Work Domain Analysis to Scope Micro- or Scaled World Simulator Design: A Petrochemical Domain Case Study.
Antony Hilliard
University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
Abstract
Interactive human-in-the-loop simulators are a cost-effective and safe way to train workers in challenging work situations, and to more tractably research human performance.  Developing lower-fidelity microworld or scaled world simulators remains a challenge, however, because there are no systematic methods to guide simulator design.
The author describes how the modeling distinctions used in Work Domain Analysis (WDA) can be applied to support designers in making and explaining decisions on simulator scope. Three examples are demonstrated in a petrochemical case study.
Full Text Source (Subscription or Fee): http://pro.sagepub.com/content/56/1/378.short

Heavy fuel oil analysis at Iraq's Bayji refinery

CATEGORY: SIMULATION

Journal of the Operational Research Society advance online publication 6 June 2012; doi: 10.1057/jors.2012.67

Heavy fuel oil analysis at Iraq's Bayji refinery

M L Zarracina 1

1 Cornell University, Minneapolis, MN, USA

Abstract

Develops a dynamic model to analyze Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO) production and distribution at Iraq's largest oil refinery.  

Author studies the impact of instituting a more flexible export pricing model for HFO removal, which constrains production due to physical storage limitations on refined fuel production and revenue generation. The production model utilizes system dynamics concepts and incorporates six independent, uncorrelated inputs to effectively simulate historical trends.

The author adds an export pricing model to optimize the production model.  The analysis reveals significant increased revenue potential, ranging from $50 million USD to $1 billion USD annually, by implementing a pricing system that adjusts HFO export prices based on HFO storage levels with minimal downside risk.

Full Text Source (Subscription or Fee): http://www.palgrave-journals.com/jors/journal/vaop/ncurrent/abs/jors201267a.html

Simulation and planning of a petroleum refinery based on carbon rejection processes

Fuel, Available online 17 February 2012, In Press, Corrected Proof
Simulation and planning of a petroleum refinery based on carbon rejection processes
Rodolfo A. Aguilar^{a, b},
Jorge Ancheyta^a,
Fernando Trejo^b
a Instituto Mexicano del Petróleo, Eje Central Lázaro Cárdenas Norte 152, Col. San Bartolo Atepehuacan, 07730 México, D.F., Mexico
^b Centro de Investigación en Ciencia Aplicada y Tecnología Avanzada del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Legaria 694, Col. Irrigación, 11500 México, D.F., Mexico
Abstract
Develops a superstructure for the simulation of a typical petroleum refinery process scheme.
The model consists of hydrotreating of naphtha, jet fuel, kerosene, light gas oil and FCC feed. It also includes catalytic reforming and catalytic cracking. For the processing of bottom-of-barrel the model considers delayed coking, visbreaking and gasification.
Full Text Source (Subscription or Fee): http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0016236112000981

Refinery Burner Simulation Design Architecture Summary

SAND2011-7374, October, 2011
Refinery Burner Simulation Design Architecture Summary
G.M. Pollock (Cyber Research and Education)
R. D. Halbgewachs (Effects-Based Studies); and M.J. McDonald (Effects-Based Studies)
Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM
Abstract
Describes the architectural design for a high fidelity simulation of a refinery and refinery burner, including demonstrations of impacts to the refinery if errors occur during the refinery process.
The refinery burner model and simulation are a part of the capabilities within the Sandia National Laboratories’ Virtual Control System Environment (VCSE). Three components comprise the simulation:
HMIs developed with commercial SCADA software, a PLC controller, and visualization software. All of these components run on different machines. This design, documented after the simulation development, incorporates aspects not traditionally seen in an architectural design, but that were utilized in this particular demonstration development. Key to the success of this model development and presented in this report are the concepts of the multiple aspects of model design and development that must be considered to capture the necessary model representation fidelity of the physical systems.
Free Full Text Source: http://prod.sandia.gov/techlib/access-control.cgi/2011/117374.pdf