CrackingMonitor utilises PSE’s unique Dynamic State Estimation technology coupled with a high-fidelity mathematical model to reconcile plant data and model predictions in order to calculate a consistent, accurate set of real-time performance metrics. It also accurately monitors coke build-up over time along the furnace coil, making it possible to optimise furnace cell operation to control coking rates.
The 2017 Hydrocarbon Processing Awards event, which honoured the downstream energy segment’s innovations as voted for by the publication’s readers, was held on the last night of the International Refining and Petrochemical Conference in Vienna, Austria.
Steve Hall, PSE’s Director of Engineering Solutions and manager of CrackingMonitor’s initial deployment on a large-scale Middle Eastern plant, says “As far as we know, this technology is the first of its kind, and has the potential to be a key component of the olefins Operational Excellence toolset in the future. It is a very practical example of applying digital technologies to improve operations”.
Mark Matzopoulos, head of PSE’s Chemicals, Petrochemicals & Refining business, adds “The underlying technology can be applied to any complex operation – for example, furnaces, catalytic reactors and spray dryers –as a means to determine KPIs in real time and calculate variables that cannot easily be measured. We are working with a number of companies in different sectors to implement virtual multisensor technology”.