Optimize steam cracking with online NIR analysis

Journal Article · Fri Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1995 · Hydrocarbon Processing

OSTI ID:163261

Lambert, D; Descales, B; Bages, S; Bellet, S; Llinas, J R ^[1]; Loublier, M; Maury, J P ^[2]; Martens, A ^[3]

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1. BP Chemicals S.N.C., Lavera (France)
2. Naphtachimie, Lavera (France)
3. AMS Conseil, Martigues (France)

At Lavera, the steam cracker of Naphtachimie (a 50/50 subsidiary of BP Chemicals and Elf Atochem) was the first equipped with online NIR analysis of naphtha feedstock. The 24 furnaces of the plant produce more than 670,000 tpy of ethylene. Since 1991, these furnaces have been controlled by an in-house, online process control model that uses the 13 naphtha properties provided by the online NIR analyzer to adjust the furnaces` operating conditions in real time. The naphtha represents between 70% and 95% of the unit feedstock. With the high level of NIR spectroscopy repeatability and the robustness of in-house models based on more than 15 years of experience, optimization of steam cracker operations allows a substantial induced benefit in the range of $1 million/yr. Other NIR online applications have been installed at BP Lavera on major industrial units such as motor gasoline blending optimization and crude oil distillation monitoring. The paper describes the principle of operation, online NIR analysis, and advantages and benefits.

• OSTI ID: 163261
• Journal Information: Hydrocarbon Processing, Journal Name: Hydrocarbon Processing Journal Issue: 12 Vol. 74; ISSN HYPRAX; ISSN 0018-8190
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
ABSORPTION SPECTROSCOPY
ETHYLENE
NAPHTHA
NEAR INFRARED RADIATION
ON-LINE MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS
PERFORMANCE
PETROCHEMICAL PLANTS
PROCESS CONTROL
PRODUCTION
THERMAL CRACKING