A simulation modeling approach used in the crude oil refining process

Abstract

Mathematical and simulation modeling methods are applied when defining parameters of effective operation of oil fractionation. There is a review of software packages of process modeling used for refining ventures in the study. Multisphere model of oil fractionation with a low capacity applied is offered in the paper. The designed model allows taking into account constructive peculiarities of the equipment of small capacity units. The flow diagram of the model calculation algorithm with the additional evaluator of petroleum products quality indices is given by the authors. A design matrix for a three-factor experiment involving a multisphere model is obtained. An orthogonal central composite design has been applied to improve the accuracy of the model and to consider a non-linear parameter link. The MatLab software was chosen as an enabler. The criterion was the energy cost of separation. Factors affecting the criterion are flow rate of superheated water steam, reflux rate, potential light fractions in the crude/feed. The adequate obtained regression quadratic dependency towards the initial values by Fisher’s criterion has been assessed. The average relative error was 0.21 percent. The obtained statistical model can be applied for solving an optimization problem by the criterion of power consumption within a variable fractional composition of the raw material. Quality indices of oil products (gasoline fraction and diesel oil) serve as constraints. The offered statistical model applied at oil fractionation low-power facilities promotes the efficiency of plant operation improvement and the efficiency of obtaining information about the quality of oil products.