Maximize Asset Utilization by Effectively Identifying and Removing Bottlenecks

ADNOC Gas Processing Ruwais NGL Fractionation plant receives and fractionates the NGL produced in upstream gas processing plants. After operation of newly designed upstream NGL plants, composition of NGL feedstock has become richer in Ethane and Propane. Consequently, nameplate capacity were reduced by~25%. In view of future increased NGL production, nameplate capacity of fractionation trains needs to be re-instated. Alternatively, a new fractionation train needs to be installed to accommodate additional NGL. To explore the opportunity for maximum utilization for existing trains, in line with the ADNOC strategy of enhancing profitability and asset utilization, a technical study was conducted to increase the processing capacity back to original nameplate capacity with lighter NGL composition. This was to identify the potential bottlenecks in the facility and suggest debottlenecking options with a reasonable investment. The Technical study covers the following activities: Simulation: Rigorous process simulation including the licensor units of DEO/Propane amine units Adequacy checks and identification of bottlenecks: Line sizing adequacy check and detailed hydraulic evaluation of the major piping Equipment adequacy check Relief & blowdown and flare system adequacy check Proprietary equipment/design evaluation of licensed units Adequacy check for In-line instruments like control valves, flow elements/transmitters, thermowells Rotating equipment adequacy checks performed with the concurrence from OEMs. Licensor Endorsement: Obtained the endorsement of AGRU licensor (Shell) for the increased flow rate with revised contaminant levels with recommendations of removing identified bottlenecks. Bottlenecks mitigation: Various options for bottleneck mitigation was studied and most optimum solution was selected to remove the identified bottleneck. The study has concluded that current capacity limitation was mainly due to bottlenecks in Ethane loop. Therefore, by mitigating the identified bottlenecks (i.e. replacing lines with bigger size, providing high performance trays, high performance internals, replacing few equipment's with new one etc.), the original nameplate capacity can be re-instated. The study concludes that increased NGL forecasted flow with lighter composition could be processed in existing Ruwais fractionation trains by doing minor modifications (as compared to new train). A capacity increase of ~25% was achieved with minimum investment and requirement of new fractionation train could avoided. If extensive adequacy studies are carried out to identify the bottlenecks, the capacity enhancement in existing facilities can be achieved with minimum investment and major cost for new plants/trains can be avoided.

Thermal performance evaluation of hot oils and nanofluids by simulation of an indirect heating plant

This paper aims to analyze the thermal performance of four different heat transfer fluids in a hot oil system located in a paraffin hydrotreatment and fractionation plant of a petroleum refinery. The software Petro-SIM? (KBC-Yokogawa) was employed to elaborate steady-state simulations intended to compare the heat transfer fluid currently used (eutectic of biphenyl and diphenyl oxide) and three fluids proposed as substitutes: paraffin oil (namely n-C13+) produced in the very industrial unit, a nanofluid of eutectic of biphenyl and diphenyl oxide and copper at a 6 % volume fraction, and a CuO/polydimethylsiloxane nanofluid at a 6 % volume fraction. The results showed that n-C13+ was the only heat transfer fluid that could replace the eutectic diphenyl oxide/ biphenyl in the system under analysis since it absorbed the heat duty of 13.79 Gcal/ h, which exceeded the thermal energy of 10.57 Gcal/ h absorbed by the heat transfer fluid currently used at the same operating parameters. The Cu/ eutectic of biphenyl and diphenyl oxide and CuO/polydimethylsiloxane nanofluids presented lower heat duty than the energy needed for the operation of the hot oil system, which was 8.31 Gcal/h and 8.51 Gcal/h, respectively.

E EVALUASI KINERJA WEATHERING TEST APPARATUS UNTUK ANALISA LIQUIFIED PETROLEUM GAS (LPG) SESUAI METODE ASTM D - 1837 DI LABORATORIUM PT PERTA-SAMTAN GAS FRACTIONATION PLANT SEI. GERONG

LPG (Liquified Petroleum Gas) merupakan gas hidrokarbon yang diproduksi dari kilang minyak dan kilang gas dengan komponen utama gas propana (C3H8) dan butana (C4H10). LPG merupakan bahan bakar berupa gas yang dicairkan merupakan produk minyak bumi yang diperoleh dari proses distilasi bertekanan tinggi. Sebagai acuannya laboratorium PT Perta-Samtan Gas Fractionation Plant Sei. Gerong menggunakan metoda pengujian yang berdasarkan pada American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM D-1837) terhadap analisa Weathering Test. Analisa WeatheringTest ini dilakukan untuk mengetahui kemurnian yang terdapat dalam produk LPG dengan menggunakan Weathering Test Apparatus pada kondisi operasi alat yang telah ditentukan oleh ASTM D-1837. WeatheringTest adalah analisis Volatility yang dinyatakan dalam suhu penguapan 95% produk. Hasil analisa ini dapat digunakan sebagai indikasi adanya komponenfraksi berat (pentana) pada LPG. Hasil analisa ini sangat berhubungan langsung dengan vapor pressure dan density produk.

The Rule of Temperature Coefficients for Selection of Optimal Separation Sequence for Multicomponent Mixtures in Thermal Systems

In this paper an estimate for the reversible molar heat supply needed for fully separating a certain mixture is given on the basis of thermodynamic balance equations. It is shown that in order to estimate this heat supply one should solve the problem of selecting the optimal separation sequence. The algorithm solving this task is given. This algorithm allows to select the separation sequence on the basis of preliminary calculations, knowing only the properties of the component that one wants to separate. The solution algorithm is demonstrated for an exemplary system: a gas-fractionation plant.