Introduction

This program is specifically designed to identify and resolve issues of production planning and scheduling in petroleum refineries that are most commonly encountered by refinery personnel working in this area. Issues of operations scheduling for petroleum refining are discussed in depth. It will also be enhanced with planning and scheduling examples and will provide relevant background information on the subject.

Additionally, the program will present a detailed overview of refining process yields, from the crude oil feed to the finished products. Major refining processes are presented and discussed, including feedstock, feedstock preparation, operating conditions, catalysts, yields, product properties, and economics.

The program is oriented toward the practical aspects of refinery operations as well as the terminology and economics of refining.

The seminar is split into two modules:

MODULE I - Production Planning & Scheduling Petroleum Refineries

MODULE II - Refinery Process Yields Optimisation

Each module is structured and can be taken as a stand-alone course; however, delegates will maximize their benefits by taking Module 1 and 2 back-to-back as a two-week seminar.

Course Objectives of Scheduling and Yield Optimization

The key objectives of this comprehensive course are as follows:

• Gain an appreciation of modern planning and scheduling tools that will be useful for planning of crude and product deliveries in their facilities
• Assist in improved operations, optimization, upgrading and modification of existing facilities
• Will result in improved profitability and help in continuous modernization of facilities
• Act as a primer into the industry of Petroleum Refining to maximize process fluid yields
• Familiarize industry professionals with all processes associated with the processing of petroleum into finished products
• Equip new engineers into the industry, with the basic tools for understanding the complex nature of Refining and its operations

Course Methodology of Scheduling and Yield Optimization

Petroleum Refining-Production Planning, Scheduling, and Yield Optimization is a hands-on, stimulating learning experience. The program will be highly interactive, with opportunities to advance your opinions and ideas. Participation is encouraged in a supportive environment.

To ensure the concepts introduced during the program are understood, they will be reinforced through a mix of learning methods, including lecture-style presentations, open discussion, case studies, and group work.

Attendees will have the opportunity to develop personal competencies and build up expert knowledge of crude oil production planning, scheduling and yield optimization in a range of equipment.

Course Outlines of Scheduling and Yield Optimization

Module I

Production Planning & Scheduling Petroleum Refineries

DAY 1

Application of Planning and Scheduling

• Overview of planning and scheduling in oil refineries
• Refinery Configuration:
• Hydro skimming Refinery
• Refineries with Secondary Conversion Process
• Integrated Refineries
• Existing & New Refineries
• Choice of Crude
• Crude oil scheduling
• Choice of Processes
• Capacity utilization of Crudes
• The severity of Process Operations
• Cut-points Optimization
• Facing Upset Situations
• Tankage Requirement

DAY 2

Improving Product Movements and Releasing Tankages

• Basic Information Required
• Crude Assay
• Intermediate Feed Characteristics
• Yields and Properties
• Different Process Units
• Utilities

DAY 3

Product Blending Rules

• Product Specifications
• New Trends in fuel production
• Environmental Issues
• Crude Cost
• Product Netback

DAY 4

Formulation of Problem

• Refinery Flow-sheets
• Simplified Material Balance
• General Formulation
• Demand Equations
• Product Inventory Control
• Product Quality Control
• Fixed Composition Blend
• Capacity Control/ Constraints
• Availability of Feedstock/ Control

DAY 5

Application to a Refinery Worksheet

• Petroleum Product Movement and Product Exchange
• Marginal Depot Supply and movements
• Commonly Used Methods & Recent Developments
• Mathematical Approach to Solution
• Linear Programming
• Graphic Method
• Vendors Software
• Discussion and Summary

Module II

Refinery Process Yields Optimisation

DAY 6

Crude Oil Yields Refinery Technology

• Introduction
• Crude Oil Origins & Characteristics
• Crude oil Assay and properties
• Crude oil products
• Product specifications
• Gasoline
• Kerosene/ Jet Fuel
• Fuel Oil/ Diesel Fuels
• Petrochemical Feedstocks
• Refineries Complexity
• Overall refinery flow: Interrelationship of processes

DAY 7

Petroleum Refinery Processes

• Crude Processing
• Desalting
• Atmospheric distillation
• Vacuum distillation
• Heavy Oils Processing – Cocking and Thermal Processes
• Delayed Coking
• Fluid Coking
• Flexicoking
• Visbreaking
• Case study – for example

DAY 8

Process for Motor Fuel Production

• Fluid catalytic cracking
• Hydrocracking
• Cat Cracking
• Isomerization
• Alkylation
• Hydrotreating
• Catalytic Reforming
• Case study – for example

DAY 9

Supporting Operations

• Blending for Product Specifications
• Hydrogen production
• Refinery Gas Plants
• Acid Gas Treating
• Sulfur Recovery Plants
• Case study – for example

DAY 10

Refinery Economics

• Residue Reduction
• Asphalt and Residual Fuel
• Cost Estimation
• Economic Evaluation
• Case Studies
• Group Discussions
• Program Evaluation & Summary