Dynamic simulation of a crude oil distillation plant using Aspen-Hysys®

Abstract

Petroleum subproducts are obtained in a crude oil distillation plant. Here, due to the chemical properties of the crude oil, a series of complex reactions occurs, and measurements are not always feasible. This poses a challenge to analyse the outcome of the process under real operating conditions. To overcome these difficulties, this paper presents an unpublished modelling and dynamic simulation of a complete distillation plant using Aspen HYSYS® environment. The process involves four major stages: Preflash, atmospheric, stabilizer and vacuum, in which condensers, reboilers, heat exchangers, distillation columns and side strippers are designed based on a deep literature review. Moreover, considering that actual refinery plants work with fixed yields set by plant operators, the present work proposes a control strategy that continuously estimates and obtains stable distillate flows of kerosene, diesel and atmospheric gas oil. The simulation results show the comparison of the modelling parameters with actual data and the performance of the crude oil distillation plant under the implemented control system.