Feature articles
Contribution to hydrocarbon engineering
16/05/2008
World Review
The Alliance Refining Company Limited has implemented a plant optimisation tool for the fluidised catalytic cracking unit of its Star Petroleum refinery in Rayong, Thailand, with the help of Shell Global Solutions (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd.
Asia
Thailand
The Alliance Refining Company Limited has implemented a plant optimisation tool for the fluidised catalytic cracking unit of its Star Petroleum refinery in Rayong, Thailand, with the help of Shell Global Solutions (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd. The Shell plant optimisation technology (SPOT) tool uses a model that shows how a refinery should run when working at optimal efficiency within the defined constraints. Once the model has been run and the set points have been downloaded to the controllers, all in real time, users can then review the unit’s performance.
Europe
Russia
As part of plans to upgrade and expand its refinery in Mari El Republic, Russian Federation, Mariisky NPZ LLC has awarded a contract to Shell Global Solutions International BV for the supply of basic design packages and licences for refinery process units. A two-phase investment programme will help the refinery to meet the Euro V diesel fuel specification and maximise the production of light, high-value products. The first phase of modernisation will include the construction of a crude distillation unit combined with a high vacuum unit to expand crude distillation capacity; a hydrocracker unit to maximise the production of diesel; and a solvent deasphalting unit. Once the first phase is complete, Mariisky hopes to invest in upgrading light-end fuels via aromatics production. Mariisky is currently talking to Shell Global Solutions about helping to bring the licensed units online, and it is anticipated that the design work will be completed in September 2008.
Russia
Alliance Oil Company (AOC) has completed a two-year integrated business-improvement programme with support from Shell Global Solutions. The programme focused on the company’s retail operations, which AOC felt were those most critical to its business situation. The improvement programme was preceded by an opportunity-confirmation programme, during which Shell Global Solutions’ consultants worked closely with key AOC staff to identify potential areas for improvement across the business. A series of retail marketing projects was launched to close the performance gaps revealed during the opportunity confirmation programme. Transport and logistics projects were also implemented, as were drives to close gaps between AOC’s health, safety and environmental performance and Russian and international standards. The implementation phase of the business-improvement programme was completed in July 2007.
Latin America
Brazil
In a drive to enhance the reliability and operational effectiveness of its naphtha cracker, petrochemical company Braskem is taking advantage of a technical support and coaching framework from Shell Global Solutions. The framework provides continuous technical and coaching support as well as facilitating integrated solutions for performance improvements. Shell Global Solutions is also assisting Braskem in optimising several turnaround programmes. The company wanted to achieve shorter, more efficient and cost-effective turnarounds in line with its increased productivity. The turnaround optimisation workshops have delivered measurable reductions in turnaround scope, duration and costs (in some cases more than 20% of the turnaround activities were cancelled or moved to routine maintenance) and have served as excellent training for a larger optimisation programme to be undertaken during the cracker turnaround in 2008.
North America
Canada
Shell Canada commissioned Shell Global Solutions to carry out a Carbon and Energy Management programme at its Montreal refinery to help improve energy performance and to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. The Shell Carbon and Energy Management team examined all aspects of the Montreal plant, searching systematically for areas where energy consumption could be reduced to deliver savings. Shell Carbon and Energy Management programmes uncover potential for energy-saving improvements in processing units, for example, by adjusting distillation targets or through heat integration. At Montreal, process variables and operating parameters were optimised and units were bypassed to enhance energy efficiency. Substantial energy savings were uncovered in the vacuum distillation column in the lube oil plant, along with opportunities for yield improvement.