Trade.Information

Product Name: Advanced Process Control Services

Product Description

Axens applies its process and operation knowledge and its control expertise to develop APC application in refinery and petrochemical industry.

Axens' APC provides solutions to:

• Maintain constant product quality (neither over- nor under-quality)Stabilize the process
• Minimize product variability
• Minimize process disturbances
• Anticipate and react to feedstock changes
• Monitor catalyst deactivation
• Increase run lengths
• Optimize economics
• Reduce CO2 emissions

Axens' APC key features

• Each process is examined from the perspective of Axens' feedback and operational know-how
• Proprietary inferential modeling technology
• Proprietary multivariable model-based controller named MVAC capable of managing wide range of functions

To supply cost effective advanced control, quantification of all the significant interactions between MV's and CV's by dynamic models is required, typical gain, dead time and time-constant.

These models are calculated from Axens process models and from data collected during step tests on the unit.

Axens as a single source supplier

Axens offers the complete line of APC services following a rigorous step by step procedure including:
1. Site survey
2. Functional design
3. Kinetic models customization
4. Step tests and dynamic modeling
5. Development of inferentials (once required)
6. Off-line tests with dynamic simulator
7. Operator instructor training
8. Commissioning
9. Post audit
10. Remote monitoring
11. Maintenance

Axens experience in control

Axens APC offer is covering most of processes running in refining and petrochemical industries including the full list of Axens process portfolio.

Advanced Control "Mechanism"

The on-line multivariable predictive controller MVAC is using these models and the stored past of the MVs, to predict the future evolution of the CVs; then it calculates the MV moves necessary to get

• All the CVs inside their limits
• The MVs as near as possible to their targets : e.g. feed maximization

These calculations are performed on a process control computer, which reads the data from the process, and writes back the controller setpoints.

Benefits

The quantifiable profits generated by these applications are mainly due to the respect of the specifications and the production increase (1.5 to 5 %). They generate benefits which typically vary between 0.5 and 2 M€ per year, or even more depending on the units (type, size...).

Company Details

Axens was formed on July 1, 2001 through the merger of IFP's technology licensing division with Procatalyse Catalysts & Adsorbents. Axens is a refining, petrochemical and natural gas market focused company offering market-leading... more