June 2018
Process Control and Instrumentation
Advanced process control of debutanizers makes use of inferential predictions
Following good experience with a generalized cut-point calculation (GCC) inferential package, which models main fractionators with side streams, French energy major Total decided to experiment with a generalized distillation shortcut (GDS) inferential package, which models simpler, two-product distillation columns.
The Authors
Laurent Ferrari has 20 yr of APC experience in refining and petrochemicals. He started his career with ExxonMobil Chemicals in 1997 and joined Total Central Engineering in 2001. He is based in Belgium, where he supports the deployment of APC applications across Total’s refining and chemical branch. Mr. Ferrari also leads Total’s APC network and helps maintain best practices throughout the organization.
Peter Harrison graduated from Loughborough University in the UK in 2009 with an MS degree in chemical engineering. He has worked in APC since 2011, and is now leading the deployment and continual improvement of APC applications at Total’s Lindsey refinery in the UK.
Y. Zak Friedman is a Principal Consultant with Petrocontrol. He has practiced APC for most of his career, specializing in using first-principles models for inferential process control and has developed inferential models to fit many hydrocarbon processes. Dr. Friedman’s experience spans more than 50 yr, working with Exxon Research and Engineering, KBC Advanced Technology and Petrocontrol. He holds a PhD degree from Purdue University.
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