Design of heat exchanger network in olefin unit of oil refinery

Abstract

The main purpose of this study is to propose a new design of oil refinery that shall be more optimum and efficient. In designing the optimum system, there are four steps to be done which are analysis of the existence exchangers, fixing the bad exchangers, replacing new exchangers and doing final changes on the refinery. This research is to analyse on an Iranian refinery (Isfahan refinery) and investigate all the exchanger conditions and locations which need to be fixed or changed. As a results, none of the flows has been separated and the change that has been done is very minimum. The temperature on the main tower has been reduced almost to 52˚C, the cooling system numbers 108, 123 and 161 have been removed from the network and the temperature on cooler number 101 and water cooler number 172 has been reduced. Seven new exchangers with the surface temperature of 1807M2, have been installed and 2 new shells have been added to exchanger 155. The position of this exchanger has been changed and has been moved in between exchangers’ numbers 157 and 158. All new exchangers also have been installed in the old place of exchanger number 155.