Optimising for Viability – Revamping Vacuum Distillation Unit in a Brownfield Project

Abstract

Revamping an existing column in an operating plant for higher throughput is always challenging, especially when operating at its rated capacity. This is particularly true for a Vacuum Distillation Unit (VDU) column which involves multiple product and pump-around streams and associated auxiliary units like a steam ejector system. Optimising the design and operation of the column, hence, is inevitable to ensure the viability of a brownfeld project as it avoids major modifcations required to the column and its associated auxiliary systems. This paper discusses how optimisation was done on an existing VDU column design and operation in an oil refnery, avoiding major modifcations of the associated ejector, steam, cooling water, sour water systems, and heat exchanger network, allowing a brownfeld project to stay commercially viable.