Collaborative optimization of a crude oil distillation system and coupled heat exchanger network

Key words:  crude oil distillation unit  heat exchanger network  collaborative optimization  process simulation  genetic algorithm

Abstract:

The steady simulation model of crude oil distillation unit and its coupled heat exchange network was established using the process simulation software aspen plus. With the goal of maximizing the economic profit and minimizing the system heat duty, the multi-objective genetic optimization algorithm was used to optimize the atmospheric and vacuum system. The corresponding Pareto optimal solution set was obtained.And the optimal operating conditions was selected from the Pareto optimal solution set after making a trade-off between economic benefit and the system heat duty. The aspen energy analyzer (AEA) was used to analyze the pinch point of the heat exchange network of the atmospheric and vacuum system before and after optimization. The results show that, compared with the initial working condition the economic profit of the optimal working condition is increased by 6.12％, the heat load is decreased by 3.57％, the output of distilled products increased by 2.82％, and the consumption of hot and cold public utilities decreased by 20.35％ and 21.13%, respectively. It is concluded that the collaborative optimization method can effectively optimize the atmospheric and vacuum system.