Use APC in energy systems-Total's Leuna refinery case study

摘要

Advanced Process Control (APC) has been used extensively to assist in operating refinery and petrochemical processes safely and profitably. However, with the constantly increasing fuel and environmental costs, and the related pressures to squeeze more efficiency from existing facilities, APC applications are being applied into energy systems, too. The control of distillation columns, fired heaters, large turbogenerators and complex heat-exchange schemes are all subject to a tighter control system that maintains stable operation and sustains high-energy efficiency for the process or a piece of equipment while striking an optimum between yield and energy performance. The use of APC, however, is not without its controversies. A number of not-so-successful applications have been reported. Yet, there are opportunities. In this case history, Total's Leuna refinery investigated the potential use of APC in the complex's energy systems.