Journal of Emerging Trends in Engineering and Applied Sciences: Research Areas

Article Title: Pinch Analysis of Heat Exchanger Networks in the Crude Distillation Unit of Port-Harcourt Refinery
by Akpa, J. G. and Okoroma, J. U.

Abstract:
The pinch analysis of the heat exchanger networks in the crude distillation unit of the New Port-Harcourt refinery has been performed. This analysis is aimed at ascertaining the energy efficiency and operation of the heat exchangers used in preheating the crude. Process data of the heat exchanger networks (HEN) were collected to formulate a problem table and used in Aspen-Pinch software for pinch analysis of the networks. The software produced the composite and grand composite curves, the grid representation and target reports. From these, the minimum heating and cooling requirements of the entire network, the process streams not properly matched and the heat exchangers not properly placed were obtained. The analysis indicated that a total of 98916.1 KW hot utility, 8298.7 KW cold utility were not utilized within the network (poor process stream matching) and that ten heat exchangers were not properly placed. Hence the heat exchangers in the crude distillation unit need to be retrofitted to ensure adequate heat recovery, process to process integration and efficient energy utilization within the network.

Keywords: heat exchanger network, crude distillation unit, pinch analysis

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