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Contents
Who Should Read this Guide ...................................................................................1
Introducing Aspen Plus ...........................................................................................2
Modeling Petroleum Processes ......................................................................... 2
Simulations in this Book .................................................................................. 3
Using Backup Files ......................................................................................... 3
Related Documentation ................................................................................... 3
Technical Support .......................................................................................... 4
1 Blending Crude and Petroleum Fractions.............................................................5
Petroleum Process Flowsheet ........................................................................... 6
Table 1.1: OIL-1 (API = 31.4) ................................................................ 7
Table 1.2: OIL-2 (API = 34.8) ................................................................ 7
Starting Aspen Plus ........................................................................................ 8
To Start Aspen Plus .............................................................................. 8
To Select the Template Option ............................................................... 8
To Specify the Application Type and Run Type .......................................... 8
Specifying Title and Global Options ................................................................... 9
Specifying Components..................................................................................10
Entering Assay Data ......................................................................................11
Specify the Distillation Curve for OIL-1 ...................................................11
Specify the Light Ends Data for OIL-1.....................................................12
Specify the API Gravity Data for OIL-1 ...................................................12
Specify the Distillation Curve for OIL-2 ...................................................14
Specify the Light Ends Data for OIL-2.....................................................14
Specify the API Gravity Data for OIL-2 ...................................................15
Blending the Oils...........................................................................................16
Generating Pseudocomponents .......................................................................17
Running the Simulation ..................................................................................18
Examining Results .........................................................................................18
Plotting Distillation Curves..............................................................................19
To Locate the Curve Data for OIL-1........................................................19
To Plot the TBP Curve ..........................................................................20
To Label This Curve for OIL-1................................................................20
To Plot the TBP Curve for OIL-2.............................................................20
To Add This Curve to the Plot Containing the Curve for OIL-1 ....................21
To Label This Curve for OIL-2................................................................21
To Plot the BLEND Curve ......................................................................21
To Add This Curve to the Plot ................................................................22
To Label This Curve for MIXOIL .............................................................22
To Combine Y-Axes .............................................................................22
To Rename the Plot .............................................................................22
Contents
iii
iv
Contents
Contents
vi
Contents
This guide is suitable for Aspen Plus users who want to model petroleum
processes. Users should be familiar with the procedures covered in Aspen Plus
Getting Started Building and Running a Process Model before starting these
examples.
Aspen Plus is a powerful tool that allows you to easily model petroleum
processes. Use this book to learn the basics of how to build and run a process
model of a simplified crude fractionation train. After completing the five
simulations in this guide, you will be able to perform basic simulations of
petroleum processes.
This manual assumes you have:
Open steam and cooling water for stripping and heat recovery, giving rise
to the presence of two liquid phases throughout the refining process.
To learn how to
3 Adding an Atmospheric
Crude Distillation Unit
5 Displaying Petroleum
Properties
Related Documentation
Title
Content
Technical Support
AspenTech customers with a valid license and software maintenance
agreement can register to access the online AspenTech Support Center at:
http://support.aspentech.com
This Web support site allows you to:
Search for tech tips, solutions and frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Send suggestions
Technical advisories
Customer support is also available by phone, fax, and email. The most up-todate contact information is available at the AspenTech Support Center at
http://support.aspentech.com.
This tutorial contains five simulations to guide you through the process of
building a model of a crude fractionation train typically found in a petroleum
refinery.
In this first simulation, begin building the model by defining the crude feed to
the process, using the Aspen Plus Assay Data Analysis Run Type. Use this run
type to analyze petroleum crudes before running a flowsheet simulation.
In this simulation you will:
Define components.
Examine results.
The preflash tower (PREFLASH) removes light gases and some naphtha
from the partially vaporized feed.
Kerosene (KEROSENE)
Diesel (DIESEL)
Reduced crude goes to the vacuum distillation unit (VDU) for further
fractionation under vacuum conditions. The VDU consists of a vacuum unit
furnace and vacuum tower. The vacuum tower produces the following
additional cuts:
o
Overhead (OFF-GAS)
Component
Liq.
Vol.
Frac.
Mid. Vol.
%
6.8
130.0
Methane
0.001
5.0
10.0
180.0
Ethane
0.0015 10.0
68.0
30.0
418.0
Propane
0.009
59.7
50.0
650.0
Isobutane
0.004
20.0
52.0
62.0
800.0
N-Butane
0.016
30.0
42.0
70.0
903.0
2-MethylButane
0.012
40.0
35.0
76.0
1000.0
N-Pentane
0.017
45.0
32.0
90.0
1255.0
15.0
Gravity
90.0
50.0
28.5
60.0
23.0
70.0
18.0
80.0
13.5
Gravity
6.5
120.0
Water
0.001
150.0
10.0
200.0
Methane
0.002
5.0
95.0
20.0
300.0
Ethane
0.005
10.0
65.0
30.0
400.0
Propane
0.005
20.0
45.0
40.0
470.0
Isobutane
0.01
30.0
40.0
50.0
550.0
N-Butane
0.01
40.0
38.0
60.0
650.0
2-MethylButane
0.005
50.0
33.0
70.0
750.0
N-Pentane
0.025
60.0
30.0
80.0
850.0
70.0
25.0
90.0
1100.0
80.0
20.0
95.0
1300.0
90.0
15.0
98.0
1475.0
95.0
10.0
100.0
1670.0
98.0
5.0
2.0
Click
Review the global settings that were set when you selected the Petroleum
with English Units application type.
Note: The run type Assay Data Analysis is already selected. You do not need
to change this field.
It is always good practice to describe your simulation by entering a title for
the simulation.
1
Free-water calculations
The sheet is complete, and all the defaults set by the Petroleum with
English Units application type are appropriate for this simulation:
Click
to continue.
Specifying Components
Use the Components Specifications Selection sheet to specify components
for the simulation.
1
Component Name
H2O
WATER
C1
METHANE
C2
ETHANE
C3
PROPANE
IC4
ISOBUTANE
NC4
N-BUTANE
IC5
2-METHYL-BUTANE
NC5
N-PENTANE
You will also define two crude assays, OIL-1 and OIL-2.
2
Click
to continue.
10
Note: Select True boiling point to indicate that you are entering data for a
TBP curve on a standard liquid volume basis.
2
In the Bulk gravity value area, select the API gravity option.
Temperature F
6.8
130
10.0
180
30.0
418
50.0
650
62.0
800
70.0
903
76.0
1000
90.0
1255
11
In the Component and Fraction (StdVol) fields, enter the following light
ends analysis data:
Component
Fraction StdVol
C1
0.001
C2
0.0015
C3
0.009
IC4
0.004
NC4
0.016
IC5
0.012
NC5
0.017
12
In the Mid percent distilled and API gravity fields, enter the following
API gravity curve data:
Mid Percent Distilled
API Gravity
5.0
90.0
10.0
68.0
15.0
59.7
20.0
52.0
30.0
42.0
40.0
35.0
45.0
32.0
50.0
28.5
60.0
23.0
70.0
18.0
80.0
13.5
10 Click
to continue.
13
In the Bulk gravity value field, select the API gravity option.
In the Percent distilled and Temperature fields, enter the following TBP
distillation values:
Percent Distilled
Temperature F
6.5
120.0
10.0
200.0
20.0
300.0
30.0
400.0
40.0
470.0
50.0
550.0
60.0
650.0
70.0
750.0
80.0
850.0
90.0
1100.0
95.0
1300.0
98.0
1475.0
100.0
1670.0
In the Component and Fraction (StdVol) fields, enter the following light
ends analysis data:
Component
Fraction StdVol
H2O
0.001
C1
0.002
C2
0.005
C3
0.005
IC4
0.01
NC4
0.01
IC5
0.005
NC5
0.025
14
In the Mid percent distilled and API gravity fields, enter the following
API gravity curve data:
Mid Percent Distilled
API gravity
2.0
150.0
5.0
95.0
10.0
65.0
20.0
45.0
30.0
40.0
40.0
38.0
50.0
33.0
60.0
30.0
70.0
25.0
80.0
20.0
90.0
15.0
95.0
10.0
98.0
5.0
to continue.
15
Click New.
The Create new ID dialog box appears.
Click OK.
10 Click
to continue.
16
Generating Pseudocomponents
By default, Aspen Plus generates a set of pseudocomponents for your
simulation based on all the assays and blends in your simulation. However, in
this simulation, the pseudocomponents should be based on the blend only.
1
From the Required ADA/PCS Input Complete dialog box, select Specify
options for generating pseudocomponents and click OK.
The Petro Characterization | Generation object manager appears.
Click New.
The Create new ID dialog box appears.
Note: The Weighting factor field automatically updates with the proper
value based on the Assay/Blend ID you selected.
The Specifications sheet is complete.
Click
to continue.
From the Required ADA/PCS Input Complete dialog box, select the
default, Go to Next required input step and click OK.
The Required Properties Input Complete dialog box appears.
Click OK.
The Required Assay Data Analysis/Pseudocomponent Generation
Input Complete dialog box appears.
17
Examining Results
An ADA run calculates a wide variety of properties for the assays, blends, and
generated pseudocomponents.
For this simulation, review pseudocomponent properties and TBP curves for
the oils and the blend.
1
Use the Data Browser menu tree to navigate to the Components | Petro
Characterization | Results form.
The Summary sheet appears.
18
Use the horizontal and vertical scrollbars at the bottom and right of the
sheet to scroll through the component properties.
19
From the Aspen Plus menu bar, select Plot | X-Axis Variable.
From the Aspen Plus menu bar, select Plot | Y-Axis Variable.
From the Aspen Plus menu bar, select Plot | Display Plot.
The Components Assay/Blend Oil-1 Results Curves - Plot window
appears.
Select True boiling pt (vol). True boiling pt (vol) appears in the Legend
Text field.
10 In the Legend Text field, delete True boiling pt (vol) and enter TBP for
OIL-1.
11 Click Replace, then click OK.
Now that you have plotted and labeled one curve, you can add the other
curves to the plot.
From the Data Browser, open the OIL-2 | Results form, and select the
Curves sheet.
The Curves sheet for OIL-2 appears.
20
From the Aspen Plus menu bar, select Plot | X-Axis Variable.
From the Aspen Plus menu bar, select Plot | Y-Axis Variable.
From the Aspen Plus menu bar, select Plot | Add New Curve.
The Plot Window List dialog box appears.
Select True boiling pt (vol). True boiling pt (vol) appears in the Legend
Text field.
10 In the Legend Text field, delete True boiling pt (vol) and enter TBP for
OIL-2.
11 Click Replace, then click OK.
In the Data Browser, open the MIXOIL | Results form, and select the
Curves sheet.
The MIXOIL | Results | Curves sheet appears.
From the Aspen Plus menu bar, select Plot | X-Axis Variable.
From the Aspen Plus menu bar, select Plot | Y-Axis Variable.
21
From the Aspen Plus menu bar, select Plot | Add New Curve.
The Plot Window List dialog box appears.
10 In the Legend Text field, delete True boiling pt (vol) and enter TBP for
Blend.
11 Click Replace, then click OK.
Now you have all three curves in one plot window, but there are some
things you can do to make the plot look nicer.
To Combine Y-Axes
1
In the Title text field, delete the text and enter TBP Curves for Crude Oils
and Blend.
Click OK.
As the completed plot shows, the TBP curve for the blend is between the
curves for each oil. Curve locations depend on the proportions of the two
oils you define for the blend:
22
From the Aspen Plus menu bar, select File | Save As.
The Save As dialog box appears.
and select Aspen Plus Backup Files
Click No.
Click No.
Note: The Chapter 2 simulation uses this run as the starting point.
23
In this simulation, add a preflash tower to the simulation and specify options
for pseudocomponent generation.
You will:
Figure 2.1
24
In the Aspen Plus Startup dialog box, select the Open an Existing
Simulation option.
In the list on the Aspen Plus Startup dialog box, double-click More
Files.
The Open dialog box appears.
In the list on the Aspen Plus Startup dialog box, double-click More
Files.
The Open dialog box appears.
25
Click
By default, the Favorites list contains five folders that are provided with
Aspen Plus.
3
From the Aspen Plus menu bar, select File | Save As.
The Aspen Plus dialog box appears, asking if you want to save the
simulation as an Aspen Plus Document file.
6
Click No.
The current Run ID, PREFLASH, appears in the title bar.
The graphics workspace is now active and ready for you to build the
flowsheet. No more changes to this sheet are necessary.
26
Clear the checkboxes for the Automatically assign block name with
prefix and the Automatically assign stream name with prefix
options.
Since you have deselected these options, Aspen Plus will prompt you for
block and stream names.
27
Close the Data Browser. You are now in the Process Flowsheet window.
Select different models within the Model Library and read the descriptions
in the Status bar.
From the prompts, it appears that PetroFrac is appropriate for this
petroleum problem. Obtain more extensive information on PetroFrac by
reading the online help:
Review this information to confirm that PetroFrac is the best choice, then
close the help window.
From the Columns tab, select PetroFrac (the unit operation model to
place in your process flowsheet).
Click
icons.
next to the PetroFrac block icon to display all the PetroFrac model
Move the mouse over the icons to see a name (or label) for each.
Locate the PetroFrac icon PREFL1F in the first row of icons, and select it.
From the Columns tab, select the PetroFrac icon and drag it to the
Process Flowsheet window.
28
In the Enter the Block ID field, enter PREFLASH and click OK.
Stream
Port
MIXCRUDE
PF-STEAM
LIGHTS
PF-WATER
NAPHTHA
CDU-FEED
Click
When you move the mouse to the flowsheet, the stream ports appear.
10 Select the Main Column Feed port and select it to create a new stream.
11 Point to a blank part of the window where you want the feed to originate
and click.
The Input dialog box appears.
12 In the Enter the Stream ID field, enter PF-STEAM and click OK.
13 For the MIXCRUDE stream, click the feed port and then drag the mouse to
the desired location in front of the feed furnace before releasing the
button.
14 Create the remaining streams in similar fashion.
15 When all streams are complete, click
to continue.
Specifying Properties
Use the Properties | Specifications | Global sheet to select the
thermodynamic methods used to calculate properties such as K-values,
enthalpy, and density. Property methods in Aspen Plus are arranged
according to process types. The BK10 property method (Braun K-10 method)
is appropriate for most refining applications involving heavy petroleum
fractions and low pressures.
29
Since you selected the Petroleum with English Units application type in
Chapter 1, Aspen Plus selected the appropriate defaults for petroleum
applications. Steam Tables (STEAM-TA) is the default method for
calculating free-water phase properties, as shown in the Free-water
method field. Aspen Plus also selected Method 2 for the water solubility
default, as shown in the Water solubility field. The Water solubility
option controls the method for calculating the solubility and K-value of
water in the hydrocarbon phase.
You do not need to change anything else on this sheet.
Click
to continue.
Click OK.
The Streams | MIXCRUDE | Input | Specifications sheet appears.
30
Click
to continue.
to continue.
31
In the Distillate rate field, enter 15000 to specify an estimate for the
distillate rate of 15,000 bbl/day.
The distillate rate will be manipulated to achieve a specification on the
ASTM 95% temperature for the naphtha product.
The PREFLASH | Setup | Configuration sheet is complete:
Click
to continue.
32
Click
to continue.
39.7 psi
Stage 2 Pressure
41.7 psi
44.7 psi
to continue.
to continue.
33
20 Click
to continue.
From the Data Browser, select the PREFLASH | Design Specs folder.
The Design Specs object manager appears.
Click New.
The Create new ID dialog box appears.
34
Target
375 F
Liquid %
95
Click
to continue.
From the Available streams column, select the NAPHTHA stream and
click
Click
Click
to continue.
Modifying Pseudocomponents
In Chapter 1, Aspen Plus generated all pseudocomponents using default
options. In this simulation, modify the number of pseudocomponents
generated for different temperature ranges.
1
Lower temperature
Upper temperature
Increment
100
800
25
800
1200
50
1200
1400
100
1400
1640
120
35
Click
to continue.
Click OK.
The Required Input Complete dialog box appears.
at
Condenser duty.
Distillate rate.
Temperature profile.
36
From the Data Browser, click the + beside the Design Specs folder and
then select 1.
The Design Specs | 1 | Specifications sheet appears.
37
Plotting Results
To Plot the Temperature Profile
1
From the Aspen Plus menu bar, select Plot | Plot Wizard.
The Plot Wizard Step 1 dialog box appears.
Click
Click
38
Click Finish.
The temperature profile plot appears.
From the Data Browser, select the PREFLASH | Stream Results form.
The PREFLASH | Stream Results | Material sheet appears.
39
At the same time, press Ctrl and select the MIXCRUDE column to select
the column.
At this time, both the MIXCRUDE and CDU-FEED columns should be
highlighted.
From the Aspen Plus menu bar, select Plot | Y-Axis Variable.
From the Aspen Plus menu bar, select Plot | X-Axis Variable.
From the Aspen Plus menu bar, select Plot | Display Plot.
Click No.
The Chapter 3 simulation uses this run as the starting point.
40
3 Adding an Atmospheric
Crude Distillation Unit
A total condenser.
41
Figure 3.1
Location
Specifications
From stage 8 to 6
From stage 14 to 13
The crude distillation unit has three sidestrippers. Their locations and
operating specifications are:
Stripper
Location
Specifications
KEROSENE
DIESEL
AGO
42
All sidestrippers and the main fractionator use steam for stripping. The
following table summarizes the steam flows and conditions:
Stream
Location
CU-STEAM
Main tower
CU-STM1
Kerosene stripper
CU-STM2
Diesel stripper
CU-STM3
AGO stripper
In the Aspen Plus Startup dialog box, select the radio button next to
Open an Existing Simulation.
Note: If you did not create the assay data analysis simulation in Chapter 2,
you can open the backup file preflash.bkp in the Examples folder.
43
From the Aspen Plus Startup dialog box, select Open an Existing
Simulation.
Click OK.
The Open dialog box appears.
Click
Note: By default, the Favorites list contains five folders that are provided
with Aspen Plus.
4
The Aspen Plus window appears. Aspen Plus displays the graphical flowsheet
for the PREFLASH run.
From the Aspen Plus menu bar, select File | Save As.
The Save As dialog box appears.
The Aspen Plus dialog box appears, asking if you want to save the
simulation as an Aspen Plus Document file.
6
Click No.
The current Run ID, CRUDE now appears in the title bar.
44
The graphical workspace is now active and ready for you to add to the
existing flowsheet.
Click and hold the left mouse button within the region and drag the
flowsheet to the left.
This makes room for the crude distillation unit, as shown in Figure 3.1.
Click the left mouse button outside the region to deactivate it.
Click
This displays all the icons available for the PetroFrac model.
4
Move the mouse over the list of icons to see a name (or label) for each.
In this exercise, select the CDU10F PetroFrac icon.
Press the mouse button on the CDU10F PetroFrac icon, and drag the icon
to the Process Flowsheet window.
In the Enter the Block ID field, enter CRUDE and click OK.
Point to the Main Column Feed port at the bottom of the column.
Click to connect the CDU-FEED stream to the bottom feed port and drag it
to the desired location in front of the feed furnace before releasing the
mouse button.
45
If necessary, select View | Zoom | Zoom Full from the Aspen Plus menu
bar to display the entire flowsheet.
Connect, move, and name the streams as shown in Figure 3.1, using the
names and ports in the table below.
Stream ID
Port Name
CDU-FEED
CU-STEAM
CU-STM1
CU-STM2
CU-STM3
CU-WATER
HNAPHTHA
KEROSENE
DIESEL
AGO
RED-CRD
Note: In order to make the streams appear as in Figure 3.1, rotate some
feed icons and move some ports.
o
To rotate an icon, select it, then right-click and select Rotate Icon from
the menu. Then select the appropriate rotation from the submenu.
To move a port, first connect the stream to the port in the port's
current location. Then select the block. All the connected streams will
show a blue or red highlighted line where they connect to the block.
Click on this line for the stream you wish to move, and drag it to its
new location. Zoom in (as above for selecting Zoom Full) if it is difficult
to differentiate streams. In the figure below, the user is moving the
port for stream AGO.
Click
Click OK.
The Streams | CU-STEAM | Input | Specifications sheet appears.
46
400 F
Pressure
60 psi
Composition
Mass-Flow lb/hr
12000 lb/hr
Click
400 F
Pressure
60 psi
Composition
Mass-Flow lb/hr
3300 lb/hr
Click
47
400 F
Pressure
60 psi
Composition
Mass-Flow lb/hr
1000 lb/hr
Click
400 F
Pressure
60 psi
Composition
Mass-Flow lb/hr
800 lb/hr
Click
25
Condenser
Total
Reboiler
None-Bottom Feed
Distillate rate
13000 bbl/day
48
Click
Convention
CDU-FEED
22
Furnace
CU-STEAM
25
On-Stage
The Furnace feed convention attaches a furnace to stage 22. This furnace
is solved simultaneously with the main fractionation column and strippers.
Click
49
15.7 psi
Stage 2 Pressure
20.7 psi
24.7 psi
Click
Note: Because you attached feed and product streams for three side
strippers in the graphical flowsheet, Aspen Plus automatically configured this
block with three side strippers: S-1, S-2, and S-3.
50
Stripper product
KEROSENE
Liquid draw
Overhead return
Stripping steam
CU-STM1
11700 bbl/day
Click
Stripper product
DIESEL
Liquid draw
13
Overhead return
12
Stripping steam
CU-STM2
16500 bbl/day
Click
Stripper product
AGO
Liquid draw
18
Overhead return
17
Stripping steam
CU-STM3
8500 bbl/day
Click
Click Cancel.
51
Click New.
In the Create new ID dialog box, click OK to accept the default ID, P-1.
The Pumparounds | P-1 | Specifications sheet appears.
Return stage
Drawoff type
Partial
StdVol Flow
49000 bbl/day
Heat duty
-40.0 MMBtu/hr
To specify the heat duty, you will need to change Temperature to Heat
duty for the second operating specification.
The Pumparounds | P-1 | Specifications sheet is complete:
Click New.
In the Create new ID dialog box, click OK to accept the default ID, P-2.
The Pumparounds | P-2 | Specifications sheet appears.
52
14
Return stage
13
Drawoff type
Partial
StdVol Flow
11000 bbl/day
Heat duty
-15.0 MMBtu/hr
Click
From the Data Browser, select the Blocks | CRUDE | Design Specs
folder.
The Design Specs object manager appears.
Click New.
In the Create new ID dialog box, click OK to accept the default ID, 1.
The Blocks | CRUDE | Design Specs | 1 | Specifications sheet
appears.
Enter specifications to have PetroFrac manipulate the distillate rate to
achieve an ASTM 95% temperature of 375 F for HNAPHTHA:
and select ASTM D86 temperature (dry, liquid
375 F
Liquid %
95
53
Click
From the Available streams column, select the HNAPHTHA stream and
to move the stream to the Selected stream column.
click
Click
10 From the Data Browser, select the Blocks | CRUDE | Design Specs
folder to reopen the object manager.
For the second design specification, enter specifications to have PetroFrac
manipulate the DIESEL flow rate to reach an ASTM 95% temperature of
640 F.
The Design Specs Object Manager appears.
11 Click New.
12 In the Create new ID dialog box, click OK to accept the default ID, 2.
The Blocks | CRUDE | Design Specs | 2 | Specifications sheet
appears.
13 Enter the following specifications:
54
Type
Target
640 F
Liquid %
95
14 Click
16 Click
55
You have entered all the specifications for the atmospheric crude tower,
without any initial profile estimates for tower temperatures, flow rates, or
compositions. Aspen Plus can converge the column without estimates for
these variables.
19 In the Aspen Plus window, click
56
at
Click
Furnace duty.
57
From the Data Browser, select the Blocks | CRUDE | Stream Results
form.
The Blocks | CRUDE | Stream Results | Material sheet appears.
Use the vertical scrollbar to locate *** DRY TOTAL*** and have it
display in the top line.
From these results, you can see that the tower produces a large quantity
of the diesel cut. By specifying a high ASTM 95% temperature (375 F),
you also maximize the amount of heavy naphtha produced.
58
Stream results for the crude tower products appear on the Blocks CRUDE
Stream Results Material sheet:
From the Aspen Plus menu bar, select Plot | X-Axis Variable.
59
ASTM-D86
95%
Temperature F
Product FlowRate
(m bbl/day)
HNAPHTHA
166
325
4.7
KEROSENE
374
520
20.0
DIESEL
502
640
10.9
AGO
578
772
8.5
RED-CRD
674
1358
35.6
The results show that the kerosene production goes up at the expense of
heavy naphtha and diesel.
Click No.
The Chapter 4 simulation uses this run as the starting point.
60
In this simulation, build on the simulation from the previous simulation and
install a vacuum unit to complete the process model.
You will:
Add a vacuum tower, steam feed, and product streams to the flowsheet.
Off-gas.
61
Figure 4.1
The vacuum tower has no condenser or reboiler. Stripping steam is fed to the
bottom of the tower in stream VDU-STM at 400 F, 60 psia, 20,000 lb/hr.
The furnace operates at a pressure of 2.03 psia, and provides an overflash of
0.6%. The overflash is bypassed to the tower furnace.
The tower has two pumparound circuits. The following table shows their
locations and specifications:
Pumparound
Location
Specifications
From stage 2 to 1
From stage 4 to 3
The duty for the first pumparound is adjusted so that the top of the tower is
at 150 F.
You will model the tower with six equilibrium stages. The light vacuum gas oil
is taken out from stage 2 as a total draw. The flow is estimated at 8,000
bbl/day.
The second pumparound provides all the necessary reflux for the lower
section of the tower. The heavy vacuum gas oil is withdrawn from stage 4 at
17,000 bbl/day.
62
Note: If you did not create the assay data analysis simulation in Chapter 3,
you can open the backup file crude.bkp in the Examples folder.
Click OK.
The Open dialog box appears.
Click
From the Aspen Plus menu bar, select File | Save As.
63
The Aspen Plus dialog box appears, asking if you want to save the
simulation as an Aspen Plus Document file.
6
Click No.
The current Run ID, VACUUM now appears in the title bar.
From the Aspen Plus menu bar, select View | Zoom | Zoom Full.
Press and hold the left mouse button within the region and drag the
flowsheet to the left.
Next, place and connect the vacuum unit on the flowsheet to create the
process flowsheet in Figure 4.1. If you need to review how to create a
graphical simulation flowsheet, see Getting Started Building and Running a
Process Model, Chapter 2.
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Click
Move the mouse over the list of icons to see a name (or label) for each.
Select the VACUUM1F PetroFrac icon, and drag the icon to the Process
Flowsheet window as shown in Figure 4.1.
In the Enter the Block ID field, enter VDU and click OK.
Point to the Main Column Feed port at the bottom of the new column.
10 Click to connect the RED-CRD stream to the bottom feed port and drag it
to the desired location in front of the feed furnace before releasing the
mouse button.
Figure 4.2
11 Connect, move, and name the other streams as shown in Figure 4.2.
Use the table below to help you connect to the appropriate port.
Stream ID
Port Name
RED-CRD
VDU-STM
OFF-GAS
LVGO
HVGO
RESIDUE
65
12 Click
400 F
Pressure
60 psi
Composition
Mass-Flow lb/hr
20000 lb/hr
Click
66
Condenser
None-Top pumparound
Reboiler
None-Bottom feed
Click
Convention
RED-CRD
Furnace
VDU-STM
On-Stage
Phase
Flow
LVGO
Total liquid
8000 bbl/day
(estimate)
HVGO
Liquid
17000 bbl/day
Click
67
Pressure
(mmHg)
60
70
Click
14 Click
68
Click New.
In the Create new ID dialog box, click OK to accept the default ID P-1.
The VDU | Pumparounds | P-1 | Specifications sheet appears.
Return stage
Drawoff type
Partial
StdVol Flow
20000 bbl/day
Heat duty
-28.6 MMBtu/hr
Click New.
In the Create new ID dialog box, click OK to accept the default ID P-2.
Return stage
Drawoff type
StdVol Flow
49000 bbl/day
Heat duty
-80.0 MMBtu/hr
69
Click
Click Cancel.
From the Data Browser, select the Blocks | VDU | Design Specs folder.
The Blocks | VDU | Design Specs object manager appears.
Click New.
Stage temperature
Target
150 F
Stage
Click
70
at
Column profiles.
Pumparound results.
TBP curves.
Stream results.
From the Data Browser, select the Blocks | VDU | Profiles form.
71
From the Data Browser, select the Blocks | VDU | Pumparounds folder.
From the Data Browser, select the VDU | Stream Results form.
The VDU | Stream Results | Material sheet appears.
72
Plot the ASTM curves for streams LVGO, HVGO, and RESIDUE following
the same steps as in Chapter 3, Plotting Distillation Curves.
The simulation shows a good separation between the gas oils and residue.
However, the separation between the light and heavy gas oils is rather
sloppy.
4
From the Data Browser, select the VDU | Stream Results | Material
sheet.
Use the horizontal scrollbar to locate the RESIDUE stream and review the
information accordingly.
Use the horizontal scrollbar to locate the LVGO stream and review the API
Gravity information.
The calculated value for LVGO product rate is different from the specified
value of 8000 bbl/day. Since you specified a total draw, Aspen Plus
treated the specified value as an initial guess. The final value is the one
corresponding to the total draw from the stage.
Click No.
73
5 Displaying Petroleum
Stream Properties
74
Note: If you did not create the assay data analysis simulation in Chapter 4,
you can open the backup file crude.bkp in the Examples folder.
From the Aspen Plus Startup dialog box, select Open an Existing
Simulation.
Click OK.
The Open dialog box appears.
.
Click
The Aspen Plus window appears. Aspen Plus displays the graphical flowsheet
for the VACUUM run.
75
From the Aspen Plus menu bar, select File | Save As.
The Save As dialog box appears.
The Aspen Plus dialog box appears, asking if you want to save the
simulation as an Aspen Plus Document file.
6
Click No.
The current Run ID, PPROP now appears in the title bar.
76
In the Mid percent distilled and Property value fields, enter the
following sulfur content percentage values:
Mid percent
distilled
2.0
0.0
5.0
0.01
10.0
0.013
20.0
0.05
30.0
1.15
40.0
1.62
45.0
1.90
50.0
2.15
60.0
2.54
70.0
3.0
80.0
3.7
77
2.0
0.0
5.0
0.01
10.0
0.015
20.0
0.056
30.0
1.3
40.0
1.7
45.0
2.0
50.0
2.3
60.0
2.7
70.0
3.2
80.0
3.8
78
Click New.
In the Create new ID dialog box, click OK to accept the default ID PS-1.
Click Search.
In the Search Physical Properties dialog box, enter Sulfur in the first
field and click Search.
A list now appears in step 2 of the dialog box.
Click Add.
79
Click OK.
SULFUR now appears as a selected physical property on the Prop-Set
Properties sheet:
80
From the Setup folder, select the Report Options form and then select
the Stream sheet.
From the Available Property Sets column, select PS-1 and click
move it to the Selected Property Sets column.
Click Close.
to
81
Click
at
Examining Results
Review the stream results for the crude tower products.
1
Click
82
Click No.
83
If either of the following conditions exist, you will be prompted to specify the
host computer for the Aspen Plus simulation engine after you start the Aspen
Plus User Interface:
The simulation engine is installed on your PC, but the Activator security
device is not connected to your PC.
If you choose Local PC as the server for the simulation engine, you do not
need to enter any more information into the dialog box. Click OK to
continue.
If you choose Windows 2000 or XP server as the server for the simulation
engine, specify additional options.
In the Node name field, enter the name of the computer on which the
Aspen Plus simulation engine will execute.
User name
Password
Working
directory
Click OK.
When the network connection is established, the message Connection
Established appears in the message box.
Note: If the Connection Established message does not appear, see your
Aspen Plus system administrator for more information on network protocols
and host computers for the Aspen Plus simulation engine.
84