A Success Story of an Integrated Excel Based Process Simulation Model

Abstract

Abstract Process Simulation model has the capability to provide optimum solutions for achieving higher productivity and efficiency of the existing processing facilities. To achieve this, process simulation model is required to be updated with actual operating conditions and composition. This activity requires substantial time to obtain the operating conditions and updating the simulation model for every changes of plant operating conditions and composition. In order to enhance the process of updating the simulation model for analyzing and troubleshooting the current performance in a proactive manner, an Excel based tool is developed to integrate the simulation model with Historian data. This Excel based tool will automatically update the operating data and composition in the process simulation model for the selected date (Historicisn data) and transfer the results from process simulation model back to the excel for further analysis. The name specified by ADNOC Gas Processing for this excel tool is "Plant Simulation Interface (PSI)" Model. Following key advantages can be realized by using the PSI model. Validation of the process simulation model (Aspen HYSYS) using current plant data to establish a base case.Carrying out Preliminary Adequacy check of the plant within short schedule for different processing capacities and composition.Increasing the efficiency of the plant by fine-tuning the operating conditions within the operating envelope.Perform case studies to study the impact before implementing in the processing unit.Faulty instruments can be easily identified.Extraction of the results - required parameters and properties are easier and faster.No process simulation experience / expert is required as this works in Excel based environment except for the development of base model. PSI model is developed in one of the processing facility of ADNOC Gas processing. Similar model is being developed for all the processing facilities in ADNOC Gas Processing. It is possible to extend similar ideas and develop Integrated Excel based simulation models for any oil and gas processing unit to increase agility in decision making, improve reliability and reduce the operating cost. This paper outlines the procedure to develop an integrated Excel tool by linking the high fidelity simulation models with the data historian tags (PI data), Laboratory Information management system (LIMS) and to automate the complex workflow and the advantages of using this model.