Title screen

[References: p. 889 (10 tit.)]

The paper shows the development and application of a general algorithm for efficiency evaluation (AEE) of distillation sequences. The algorithm provided consideration of energy efficiency, flowsheet structure, and product specifications. In Aspen HYSYSTM, we developed two “first principle” models of crude oil distillation units with and without heat integration. We have applied the AEE to compare the effectiveness of their performance for different types of oil. The effectiveness was higher for heat integrated unit, so its model was adopted as basic. Six alternative retrofit flowsheet models were developed for the purposes of preliminary optimization. Preliminary optimization was a combination of predesign optimization of unit flowsheet structure and apparatus design to create the optimal crude oil distillation unit and to provide the process flexibility in respect of feed flowrate and oil quality. Parametrical optimization was performed for all configurations of flowsheet structure. Maximum feed flowrates and the product yields were defined for all flowsheet structures. Relative total investments for retrofits of the basic flowsheet were estimated. They consider the cost of distillation columns, the internal device, pumps, heat exchangers, piping. AEE application to all retrofit flowsheets allows designing effective and relatively inexpensive refinery unit.