Potential demand side management of a palm oil refinery plant through pinch analysis

Abstract

The aim of this research is to analyze the profile energy consumption of main refinery processes in palm oil refining plant of an oleochemical industry in Pasir Gudang, Johor and determine the most suitable demand side management (DSM) measures to accommodate needed temperature for main crude palm oil (CPO) storage tank through pinch analysis. Before analyzing using pinch analysis, it is necessary to understand energy flows from both the supply and the demand sides for better understanding of mass energy balance. For easy visualization, the author used Sankey diagrams that would map energy flow for both the demand and supply sides of the streams. The Sankey diagrams proposed for this study would show total energy consumption, useful energy, and energy intensities of crude palm oil (CPO) refinery equipments. After analyze by using pinch analysis, the DSM of any available resources that could lead to reducing energy consumption is identified through retrofitting of heat exchanger network design (HEND). Any reduction in energy consumption can positively reflect on both per capita electricity consumption. Results shows a percentage savings of 65.73% and 57.03% for heating and cooling requirement respectively.