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Title: Using process computers as robots for refining operations

Journal Article · · Hydrocarbon Process.; (United States)
OSTI ID:6812323

Industrial robots combine sensed inputs and external commands and develop outputs that cause the movement of materials and energy. They improve an operation by reacting to these data automatically, using stored data and programs to analyze the proper response. In many cases the development of these programs is a long and arduous task; but once verified, consistent operation and attention to detail beyond the capabilty of human operators or managers is assured. Process computers used to automate operating decisions in refineries are consequently the largest, most complex industrial robots in the world with thousands of inputs and hundreds of manipulators. This paper presents a review of the computer control applications that are becoming standardized for a refinery and the major plants: blending, reforming, hydrocracking, fluid cat cracking and crude distillation. 15 refs.

Research Organization:
Oil Syst Inc, San Leandro, CA, USA
OSTI ID:
6812323
Journal Information:
Hydrocarbon Process.; (United States), Vol. 61:5
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English