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The feed to a refinery often changes every few days. An existing refinery has received an Indonesian
crude oil and you must simulate the atmospheric distillation column to establish the correct operating
conditions for a throughput of 120,000 barrels/day. The crude unit configuration and typical operating data
are shown in Figure R3.1. The products must meet the specified D86 and TBP points in Table R3.1, and the
yields are to be calculated.
Figure R3.1
Crude Distillation Column
Table R3.1
ASTM D86 (F)
LV %
0
330
460
555
Topped
Crude
-
380
530
635
(695)
520
665
95
100
*
Naphtha
340
370
Kerosene
550
Diesel
705
Gas Oil
(885)
(955)
Process Data
For this simulation, the stripping stream and pumparound cooling shown on Figure
The crude oil has been analysed as an atmospheric TBP curve and defined lightend components as shown
in Table R3.2.
Table R3.2
CRUDE OIL DATA
TBP @ 760 mm Hg
LV%
5
Temp (F)
149
50
690
Ethane
10
208
60
770
Propane
0.2
20
330
70
865
i-Butane
0.3
30
459
80
980
n-Butane
0.7
40
590
100
i-Pentane
0.5
n-Pentane
1.2
Total
3.0
LV%
Lightends
29.2
Temp (F)
1600
Component
LV%
0.1
The laboratory data for the TBP curve are supplied only up to the 80% point. A
typical value is assumed for the 100% point to assist the extrapolation of the curve.
Methods
and Data
Simulation
Model
(Shortcut)
Viscosity and thermal conductivity data are generated for the streams for use in
other calculations. The API data book method is selected for the liquid
viscosities. For crude oil streams, these data are more accurate than the
PETRO option used for the other transport properties.
The first step in the simulation is to ensure that it is possible to produce the
specified products from the crude oil feed and establish the material balance. The
multidraw shortcut distillation model (MODEL = REFINE) is a quick and easy tool
for these calculations. This model uses the Fenske calculation method and
considers the column to be a series of two-product columns as shown in
Figure R3.2. The condenser is simulated with an external flash drum.
The specifications chosen for the shortcut model define the separation in each
section. For this simulation, the 95% distillation points and 5-95% gaps are used.
The data are taken from Table R3.1.
5% and 95% points should always be used instead of initial and end points, as they
are generally more accurate. The simulated end points are affected by the number
of petroleum cuts, the parameter TBPEP (on the ASSAY statement in Component
Data) which defaults to 98%, and the Fenske model itself, which tends to
overfrac- tionate on the product tails. In addition, the shortcut simulation ignores
the side- strippers which also affect the ends of the curves.
Figure R3.2
Shortcut Crude Unit Model
In the shortcut model, all the stripping steam is added with the feed. The main effect
of this on the simulation results is that the influence of the steam on the product
temperatures is not modeled, and the calculated temperatures will be high.
Input Data
(Shortcut)
The simulation units are defined as English but with pressure as psig and liquid
volumes in barrels. As crude oil has no defined components, the component flow
rate output is suppressed, and only the stream summary is printed. The PRINT
TBP option gives the TBP and ASTM curves for all hydrocarbon streams.
It is not known whether or not there will be any vapor product from the column.
As there may be vapor, the condenser is defined as mixed phase at the
defined temperature.
The MODEL=REFINE option specifies no reflux between sections in the column.
The default would assume total reflux between the sections. The product rate
estimates are supplied as volume percent cutpoints on the crude oil feed.
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
FLASH
PROD
ISO
END
Output
(Shortcut)
STREAM=89,D86(95),VALUE=340
STREAM=10,D86(5),DIFF,STREAM=89,D86(95),VALUE=40
STREAM=10,D86(95),VALUE=520
STREAM=11,D86(5),DIFF,STREAM=10,D86(95),VALUE=10
STREAM=11,D86(95),VALUE=665
STREAM=12,D86(5),DIFF,STREAM=11,D86(95),VALUE=-30
STREAM=12,TBP(95),VALUE=885
STREAM=20,TBP(5),VALUE=695
UID=FL01,NAME=CONDENSER FEED
89
V=8,L=9,W=7
TEMP=110,PRES= 5.3
The shortcut column results are shown on the next page. The shortcut model
predicts the minimum number of trays, calculated at total reflux, needed to meet
the specified separations. Typical values for crude oil separations for each
column section are shown in Table R3.3.
Table R3.3
TYPICAL SHORTCUT TRAYS
Column Section
Naphtha - Kerosene
Minimum Trays
3.5 - 5.0
Kerosene - Diesel
2.5 - 3.5
2.0 - 3.0
1.3 - 1.8
As long as the shortcut model reports figures within these ranges, the separations will be feasible.
Significant departures from these values mean a difficult, if not impossible, separation.
The simulation predicted no overhead vapor at the desired condenser conditions. This is not unusual for
crude unit simulations because some lightends may have been lost in sampling the crude oil, or because
lightends produced by cracking in the furnace are not included in the simulation model.
Once the shortcut model is solved, the material balance is defined. If difficulties occur solving the rigorous
model, then the heat balance is likely to be at fault.
MIXED
VAPOR
PRODUCTS
STREAM
PHASE
7658.53
1561623.7
5057.14
12.41
SPECIFICATIONS
PARAMETER
TYPE
-----------------------------------STRM
STRM
STRM
STRM
STRM
STRM
STRM
STRM
D86
D86
D86
D86
D86
D86
TBP
TBP
95 PCT
5 PCT
95 PCT
5 PCT
95 PCT
5 PCT
95 PCT
5 PCT
3.400E+02
4.000E+01
5.200E+02
1.000E+01
6.650E+02
-3.000E+01
8.850E+02
6.950E+02
3.400E+02
4.000E+01
5.200E+02
9.999E+00
6.650E+02
-3.001E+01
8.850E+02
6.950E+02
Simulation
Model
(Rigorous)
The number of theoretical trays must be established for the rigorous distillation.
This may be obtained by:
- applying typical overall tray efficiencies to the number of actual trays
- using values from previous simulations of the column
- assuming that the number of theoretical trays is about twice the minimum
number
In this example, typical efficiencies were used to get the configuration of the model
shown in Figure R3.3.
Figure R3.3
Rigorous Crude Unit Model
Virtually all the heat in the distillation enters with the crude oil feed, and so it is vital
that the feed temperature is correct. For this reason, the furnace and flash zone
are included in the simulation as a heat source on the feed tray. The feed is
specified as liquid at the flash zone pressure to ensure that no flash is performed
and all the feed is placed on this tray. The furnace duty is then calculated to
match the specified liquid runback into the flash zone.
Only one other specification can be made on the main column, together with one
on each sidestripper, and so not all the distillation specifications on the shortcut
can be used. The best strategy is to specify one distillation point or gap for each
product, except for the topped crude. The topped crude is not usually specified
since this has the greatest uncertainty. Specifying the 95% points generally
gives good results. If large differences appear at the top of the curves, then the
simulation may be improved by specifying some 5% points. The specification
variables are the condenser duty and the side product draw rates.
As for the shortcut simulation, 5% and 95% points are used in preference to initial
and end points.
The circulation rates for the pumparound cooler circuits are calculated to meet the
desired cooling duties and return temperatures.
When specifying sidecooler duties, be wary of duties which are based on
measured pumparound rates. These are notoriously inaccurate, and too much
cooling will dry up the liquid leaving the tray above the cooler. The subsequent
calculation failure reflects the operational failure of the actual column when
drying up occurs. If pumparound duties are uncertain, they may be calculated
to meet specified liquid runbacks.
The shortcut model showed that there is no overhead vapor. Therefore, the
condenser is defined as TYPE = TFIX, which is total at a fixed temperature.
Solution of the main column is enhanced by using the molal product flows determined in the shortcut simulation as initial estimates. The REFINERY model is used
to generate the initial solution profiles
The temperature of the oil leaving the furnace is not the same as the flash zone
temperature. In order to calculate the furnace temperature, a flash is used to add
the calculated furnace duty to the feed stream.
Input Data
(Rigorous)
The dimensional units and printout options for the rigorous simulation are the
same as were used in the shortcut model. The steam feeds are now fed to the
bottom of the main column and to the sidestrippers.
The column is defined as a refinery unit, and a damping factor of 0.8 is
automatically applied to the IO solution method. This damping assists in the
convergence of this type of column.
The sidestrippers are entered as separate units, but PRO/II solves them simultaneously with the main column.
The column feed temperature is not calculated until after the column has been
converged
Kerosene
Diesel
Gas Oil
Bbl/hr
S/C
-52
78
130
218
314
340
376
1090
Rig
-52
78
130
218
315
340
367
1083
S/C
358
380
389
433
500
520
559
642
Rig
304
374
390
431
499
520
562
612
S/C
510
530
537
585
646
665
700
477
Rig
450
513
528
585
648
665
696
525
S/C
596
635
646
715
816
842
890
798
Rig
490
613
639
717
817
842
884
699
API
61.5
61.5
40.6
40.7
31.6
31.8
25.1
25.2
Topped Crude
Bbl/hr
S/C
520
611
637
727
850
885
949
748
Rig
422
593
630
728
851
885
942
699
S/C
463
695
747
972
1447
1523
1548
2043
Rig
548
695
743
968
1445
1522
1548
2071
API
25.1
25.2
14.1
14.1
There is good agreement between the 5% and 95% points, especially towards the top of the column. The
fractionation on the product front ends (0-5%) is sharper with the shortcut model, while the rigorous simulation
predicts better fractionation on the tail ends (95-100%). This is largely due to the simplifying assumptions of
the shortcut model and the presence of the sidestrippers in the rigorous simulation.
Because of the simplification in the way the steam feeds are handled in the shortcut model, the product
temperatures will not match. The rigorous values should always be used.
Results
The simulation shows that the column can be operated to produce the required products. The yield of
each product is shown in the output. The pumparound rates, furnace and condenser duties have also
been calculated along with the actual temperature of the oil leaving the furnace.
The flash output below shows that the furnace outlet temperature is 694.5 F, while the column output shows
that the flash zone is at 692.9 F.
Output
(Rigorous)
The column summaries show the output for the main column and the
sidestrippers. Tables may also be produced with vapor and liquid rates, densities
and transport properties, but these are not presented here.
The stream component output was suppressed and only the stream summaries
are printed. A sample of the stream summary is show for both wet and
dry basis properties. Part of the distillation curve output is shown for the feed
and some product streams. All pure water streams are omitted from this output.
Finally, a comparison is presented of the analyses of the shortcut and rigorous
products.
FL1
FEED TEMP
1
1A
695.117
12.500
1.500
0.77043
0.22957
0.22957
0.00000
291.79562
ADIABATIC-P
14
COLUMN SUMMARY
--- ---- ---- ---- ---- - NET FLOW RATES --- ---- ---- ---- ---- -HEATER TRAY
TEMP
PRESSURE
LIQUID VAPOR
FEED
PRODUCT DUTIES
DEG F
PSIG
LB-MOL/HR
MM BTU/HR
--- ---- ---- - --- ---- ---- -- --- ---- ---- ---- - --- ---- ---- ---- - --- ---- ---- ---- - --- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- -- --- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----1
110.0
5.30
2424.1
2875.9L
-135.2194
1077.6W
2
274.3
8.50
9778.5 6377.6
-50.0000
3
311.4
8.75
5091.8 8713.7
4
339.1
9.00
5017.3 9045.3
5
355.3
9.25
4849.2 8970.8
6
368.6
9.50
4573.5 8802.6
7
383.7
9.75
4122.9 8527.0
457.8V
8
406.1
10.00
2284.7 7618.6
1248.2L
9
438.6
10.25
6078.8 7028.5
-50.0000
10
471.1
10.50
3374.3 8300.2
11
503.9
10.75
2947.3 8118.1
437.2V
12
533.0
11.00
1664.0 7254.0
829.4L
13
562.7
11.25
3871.8 6800.0
-40.0000
14
592.8
11.50
2170.2 7455.4
15
619.5
11.75
1806.0 7306.2
164.9V
16
642.8
12.00
486.2 6777.1
771.5L
17
673.5
12.25
132.6 6228.8
18
693.5
12.50
1598.0 5875.2
6548.3M
291.7956
19
690.2
12.75
1477.6
792.3
20
684.4
13.00
671.8
555.1V
1360.9L
SIDESTRIPPER SS01
1/ 21 392.0
11.80
1139.5
2/ 22 377.0
11.80
1/ 23 519.5
2/ 24 503.9
12.50
12.50
740.8
1/ 25 639.4
2/ 26 633.3
13.30
13.30
736.8
349.1
1248.2L
457.8V
222.0V
1012.4L
SIDESTRIPPER SS02
348.6
829.4L
249.8V
437.2V
642.0L
130.2
771.5L
83.3V
164.9V
689.8L
SIDESTRIPPER SS03
STREAM
PHASE
FROM TO
LIQUID
FLOW RATES
HEAT RATES
TRAY TRAY FRACTION
LB-MOL/HR
MM BTU/HR
--- ---- ---- -- --- ---- ---- - --- ---- ---- - --- ---- - --- ---- - --- ---- ---- ---- - --- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- --- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----FEED
14
VAPOR
7
0.0000
457.82
14.5426
FEED
16
VAPOR
11
0.0000
437.20
18.6622
FEED
18
VAPOR
15
0.0000
164.95
9.8699
FEED
1
MIXED
18
0.5778
6548.34
326.2005
FEED
2
VAPOR
20
0.0000
555.09
13.3040
PRODUCT
9
LIQUID
1
2875.90
3.4362
PRODUCT
7
WATER
1
1077.59
1.5132
PRODUCT
15
LIQUID
8
1248.19
35.8340
PRODUCT
17
LIQUID
12
829.36
49.0964
PRODUCT
19
LIQUID
16
771.50
78.1636
PRODUCT
20
LIQUID
20
1360.87
231.1219
SIDESTRIPPER SS01
FEED
FEED
PRODUCT
PRODUCT
15
5
14
10
LIQUID
VAPOR
VAPOR
LIQUID
FEED
FEED
PRODUCT
PRODUCT
17
4
16
11
LIQUID
VAPOR
VAPOR
LIQUID
FEED
FEED
PRODUCT
PRODUCT
19
3
18
12
LIQUID
VAPOR
VAPOR
LIQUID
21
22
1.0000
0.0000
1248.19
222.04
457.82
1012.40
35.8340
5.3216
14.5426
26.6130
23
24
1.0000
0.0000
829.36
249.79
437.20
641.96
49.0964
5.9868
18.6622
36.4206
25
26
1.0000
0.0000
771.50
83.26
164.95
689.81
78.1636
1.9956
9.8699
70.2886
21
22
SIDESTRIPPER SS02
23
24
SIDESTRIPPER SS03
25
26
1.8405E-03
-8.6010E-03
PUMPAROUNDS
TRAY
--- ---FROM
--- ------ ----
TEMP, DEG F
---- ---- ---- ---- -TO
FROM
TO
- --- ---- - --- ---- ---- -- --- ---- ---- ----- ---- ---- - --- ---- ---- ---- ----14 13
592.8
450.0
10 9
471.1
310.0
3
2
311.4
175.0
LIQUID FRACTION
FROM
TO
LB-MOL/HR
M LB/HR STD BBL/HR
--- ---- ---- -- --- ---- ---- -- --- ---- ---- ---- ---- 1.0000
1.0000
1.0000
1.0000
1.0000
1.0000
1552.37
2522.48
5018.31
422.898
505.309
654.301
1374.45
1719.86
2385.77
(CONT) SPECIFICATIONS
17
1
22
24
26
D86
D86
D86
TBP
VOL RATIO
95 PCT
95 PCT
95 PCT
95 PCT
3.000E-02
3.400E+02
5.200E+02
6.650E+02
8.850E+02
3.002E-02
3.400E+02
5.200E+02
6.651E+02
8.851E+02
10
KEROSENE
WET LIQUID
1012.402
175.903
377.003
11.800
173.748
26.613
151.294
1.00000
0.00000
N/A
N/A
11
12
DIESEL
GAS OIL
WET LIQUID WET LIQUID
14
WET VAPOR
641.956
158.610
503.923
12.500
247.073
36.421
229.623
1.00000
0.00000
689.814
224.796
633.265
13.300
325.880
70.289
312.677
1.00000
0.00000
457.823
39.007
391.983
11.800
85.202
14.543
372.817
0.00000
0.00000
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
457.823
39.007
154.537
173.735
85.202
372.817
0.537
252.414
0.01652
0.01088
1012.402
641.956
689.814
N/A
158.610
645.271
451.688
523.015
247.073
229.623
0.657
245.804
0.04356
0.27529
224.796
917.344
642.139
711.077
325.880
312.677
0.707
245.051
0.03833
0.27323
N/A
N/A
---------
M LB/HR
175.903
BBL/HR
724.057
GAL/MIN
506.838
STD LIQ RATE, BBL/HR
611.476
MOLECULAR WEIGHT
173.748
ENTHALPY, BTU/LB
151.294
CP, BTU/LB-F
0.614
DENSITY, LB/BBL
242.941
TH COND, BTU/HR-FT-F
0.05023
VISCOSITY, CP
0.27647
(1) STD VAPOR VOLUME IS 379.48 FT3/LB-MOLE (60 F AND 14.696 PSIA)
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
NAME
PHASE
10
KEROSENE
WET LIQUID
11
12
14
DIESEL
GAS OIL
WET LIQUID WET LIQUID
WET VAPOR
-------------
M LB/HR
N/A
M FT3/HR
N/A
STD VAP RATE(1), M FT3/HR
SPECIFIC GRAVITY (AIR=1.0)
MOLECULAR WEIGHT
Z (FROM K)
CP, BTU/LB-F
DENSITY, LB/M FT3
THERMAL COND, BTU/HR-FT-F
VISCOSITY, CP
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
242.392
35.126
80.545
91.983
5.003
144.916
0.9695
0.544
436.106
0.01532
0.00920
636.901
158.519
644.938
451.455
685.516
224.719
916.993
641.893
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
522.755
0.8660
248.891
0.0000
0.657
245.790
0.04355
0.27714
710.856
0.9028
327.810
0.0000
0.707
245.061
0.03832
0.27494
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
611.052
0.8214
175.026
0.0000
0.614
242.898
0.05020
0.27786
(1) STD VAPOR VOLUME IS 379.48 FT3/LB-MOLE (60 F AND 14.696 PSIA)
1
CRUDE FEED
1A
9
NAPHTHA
10
KEROSENE
0 LV PERCENT
5
147.566
10
208.225
30
459.057
50
689.818
70
864.505
90
1240.591
95
1414.367
100
1547.776
-5.793
-5.793
147.566
208.225
459.057
689.818
864.505
1240.591
1414.367
1547.776
-82.191
42.967
93.091
171.290
217.790
269.335
331.246
352.148
375.169
242.064
340.412
360.880
401.007
434.658
471.151
520.628
542.111
583.764
0 LV PERCENT
-20.472
26.235
225.327
417.429
568.937
914.411
1083.646
1218.001
-136.159
-136.159
-20.472
26.235
225.327
417.429
568.937
914.411
1083.646
1218.001
-192.547
-99.743
-61.953
-2.270
33.649
73.844
122.659
139.273
157.650
52.528
129.936
146.234
178.376
205.527
235.176
275.718
293.447
328.038
0 LV PERCENT
29.766
5
181.851
10
242.008
30
465.239
50
679.107
70
834.151
90
1192.319
95
1334.165
100
1443.061
29.766
181.851
242.008
465.239
679.107
834.151
1192.319
1334.165
1443.061
-52.478
77.957
130.195
185.348
217.630
262.078
315.191
340.009
367.342
296.427
372.104
387.854
409.109
430.172
456.923
498.497
520.046
561.824
0 LV PERCENT
-22.476
5
140.822
10
205.329
30
457.986
50
689.818
70
864.505
90
1240.591
95
1414.367
100
1547.776
-22.476
140.822
205.329
457.986
689.818
864.505
1240.591
1414.367
1547.776
-41.402
67.857
111.705
179.475
217.790
269.335
331.246
352.148
375.169
297.840
361.443
374.735
407.476
434.658
471.151
520.628
542.111
583.764
0 LV PERCENT
29.766
5
181.851
10
242.008
30
465.239
50
648.793
70
746.392
90
866.448
95
895.100
100
918.582
29.766
181.851
242.008
465.239
648.793
746.392
866.448
895.100
918.582
-52.478
77.957
130.195
185.348
217.630
262.078
315.191
340.009
367.342
296.427
372.104
387.854
409.109
430.172
456.923
492.943
513.127
551.333
TBP AT 760 MM HG
TBP AT
10 MM HG
5
10
30
50
70
90
95
100
ASTM D86
ASTM D1160