Optimizing Diesel Production Using Advanced Process Control and Dynamic Simulation

This paper describes the economical and operational benefits achieved with the use of advanced process control techniques and dynamic simulation applied to a Naphtha Splitter Column. The project consists in optimizing the Diesel blending system of Henrique Lage Refinery (REVAP) located in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. The control strategy was designed to maximize production rate, respecting the operational constraints. The results include an increase in the Naphtha flow stream to the Diesel blending system and improvement of the operational stability, leading to valuable economic gains. The project is also a step forward in the use of Dynamic simulation for modelling and identification, where the simulation models have shown to be representative for the inferential variables integration, adding value to the final result.