Analysis & Study On Heat Exchanger Network Energy Utilization Of An Oil Refinery Atmospheric-vacuum Distillation Unit

The pinch technology was applied to analysis and study on Heat Exchanger Network (HEN) energy utilization of an oil refinery atmospheric-vacuum distillation unit. In order to find the pinch point of the HEN, pinch calculation was done. And with pinch point information, those unsuitable energy utilization of the HEN was clear after pinch analysis. To raise the efficiency of the HEN, two solution projects were designed. Those problems of the original HEN were corrected in the two new HENS after reformation. And the exchanged temperature of crude oil was also raised by 12℃and 17℃respectively. Consequently, more profit was made for company and the operation flexibility of the unit was increased too.To enhance research efficiency and calculation accuracy, three tool software was developed. They are Process System Pinch Analysis tool software (PSPA), Process System Structure Analysis tool software (PSSA) and Heat Exchanger Simulation software (HES). During the development of the PSSA, a new method of system circuit searching was put forward. In contrast with others, this method is easy-operating, all-round result.Thesis was divided into three chapters. The first points out the importance of energy-saving. Pinch technology was also introduced briefly. The second gives all the details of the HEN reformation. The third records the steps of three software development and some examples of application.