Computers and process control/Automation turns energy conservation theory into reality
Examples are given of the energy savings possible by automation of highly integrated plants, i.e., those in which one process unit supplies energy for another. In a 12,300,000 kg/day refinery crude distillation unit, furnace automation reduced stack energy losses 15-30%; and on the processing side, automation led to a 1-3% production increase in gasoline and fuel oil in place of the less valuable vacuum gas oil, while reducing furnace energy consumption 0.5-3%. In a 350,000 kg/yr naphtha-based ethylene plant, total system models showed that automation and control of the furnace process side could increase net profit by over $800,000/yr; control furnace efficiency to reduce fuel usage 1-3% for a savings of $65,000-$180,000/yr; and reduce distillation train energy 13-18% for a savings of $614,000/yr. In a fluid catalytic cracker system with a power recovery system, basic automation in the form of a closed loop cascaded control system could reduce the use of high-pressure steam by 50% from 13,600 kg/hr for a savings of $296,000/yr.
- Research Organization:
- Applied Automation Inc.
- OSTI ID:
- 6466637
- Journal Information:
- Chem. Eng. Prog.; (United States), Vol. 76:4
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
02 PETROLEUM
CATALYTIC CRACKING
CLOSED-LOOP CONTROL
FURNACES
AUTOMATION
PETROLEUM REFINERIES
ENERGY CONSERVATION
COMPUTERIZED CONTROL SYSTEMS
ENERGY EXPENSES
OPERATING COST
PETROLEUM INDUSTRY
PROCESS CONTROL
PROFITS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CONTROL
CONTROL SYSTEMS
COST
CRACKING
DECOMPOSITION
INDUSTRIAL PLANTS
INDUSTRY
PYROLYSIS
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES
320303* - Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization- Industrial & Agricultural Processes- Equipment & Processes
020400 - Petroleum- Processing