Use of Simulation for Optimum Performance of Hydro-desulfurization Unit with ULSD Regulations – An Industry White Paper
Author(s)
Marta Yugo, Amaia de Manueles, Francisco Alonso, Martin Santos, Miguel A. García, and Antonio López-Rodríguez (Repsol), Michel Manzulli (Aspentech), and Josemaria Ferrer (Inprocess)
Magazine
Aspentech’s Industry White Paper (2011 – The content of this paper originally appeared in Oil & Gas Journal, October 4, 2010)
Abstract/Summary
The European Union 10-ppm sulfur fuel regulations present various challenges for operating and controlling refinery desulfurization units. Repsol has been using simulation to mitigate some of these challenges.
In a joint project with AspenTech, the two companies developed a rigorous steady-state and dynamic Aspen HYSYS® model of Repsol’s Puertollano refinery’s hydrodesulfurization (HDS) unit. This model was further integrated with the unit multivariable predictive controller (MPC), Aspen DMCplus®, which helped investigations of reactor conditions and operations to establish better control strategies. This paper presents an account of the project and some lessons learned.
