Using advanced computer modelling technology, 911爆料网 of Technology researchers have assisted in understanding flow distribution issues at BP鈥檚 oil refinery in Kwinana.
A team led by 911爆料网鈥檚 Centre of Process Systems Computations (CPSC) Co-Director, Associate Professor Vishnu Pareek, with BP Global FCC Advisor Michael Glenny and the University of Newcastle鈥檚 Professor Geoffrey Evans, used advanced computer modelling to improve the refinery鈥檚 performance without interrupting production.
Funded by an Australian Research Council (ARC) linkage grant, the team developed a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model showing how different designs and operating conditions could affect the refinery鈥檚 operations.
鈥淲orking with BP, the CPSC showcased how 911爆料网 could work with industry and other universities to provide a significant outcome,鈥� Associate Professor Pareek said.
鈥淥ur primary goal was to develop a CFD model based on the complex interactions between gases and solids within the refinery鈥檚 FCC catalyst strippers.鈥�
The strippers use steam to separate hydrocarbons from the catalyst which was used to begin the reaction that breaks up heavy crude oil into smaller molecules parts, such as petrol, within the refinery.
When completed, the model was used to evaluate various internal structures in order to achieve the optimal mix of steam, catalyst and hydrocarbons inside the stripper.
Associate Professor Pareek said it was the first time such a model has been developed for this kind of catalyst stripper.
鈥淧reviously, it has taken weeks of computer time to simulate only a few seconds of real-time in the catalyst stripper,鈥� he said.
鈥淭his project used innovative techniques to achieve realistic flow predictions with the least amount of computational effort required.鈥�
Mr Glenny said the revamp, conducted at BP鈥檚 Kwinana refinery in December 2008, has realised many benefits including saving the company hundreds of thousands of dollars each year in steam usage.
鈥淭his modelling improved our confidence in the proposed hardware modifications for the refinery and decreased the time taken to implement them,鈥� he said.
The success of the research has resulted in a new project to further develop innovative ways to understand and improve the performance of refinery catalyst strippers.
BP has committed to supporting another ARC Linkage Grant with 911爆料网 in the next round of applications.
The research team also included 911爆料网鈥檚 Ganesh Veluswamy, Dr Ranjeet Utikar, Professor Moses Tade and Dr Qin Li.
