In today’s refining industry, managing crude oil blend compatibility is a crucial task. As refineries process a growing variety of feedstocks, each with unique properties, the risk of asphaltene precipitation and the operational challenges it brings - such as fouling, blockages, and equipment damage - continues to rise.
At the recent 9th Opportunity Crudes Conference in Houston, industry experts convened to tackle pressing issues like balancing energy security, affordability, and sustainability. Among the speakers was Asok Kumar Tharanivasan, R&D Senior Consultant at KBC, who presented a practical solution to crude compatibility challenges with his talk, Thermodynamic Approach to Evaluate Compatibility of Crude Oil Blends.
Asok discussed how the thermodynamic tool built within Petro-SIM® software is designed to predict crude blend stability and help refiners avoid costly issues related to asphaltene precipitation. This tool uses advanced modeling to simulate asphaltene behavior in crude blends, considering factors like composition, density, and precipitation onset. With Petro-SIM software delivering insights, refiners can adjust blending strategies and optimize crude selection immediately, bypassing time-consuming lab tests. In short, it’s an essential tool for any refinery aiming to stay agile, efficient, and resilient.
Key takeaways include:
Proactive Compatibility Checks Save Time and Money Petro-SIM software helps refiners anticipate potential blending issues, reducing the risk of costly unplanned shutdowns and maintenance due to asphaltene blockages.
Enhanced Flexibility in Crude Processing With accurate compatibility predictions, refiners can confidently explore a broader range of crude options, optimizing operations without fear of unexpected asphaltene issues.
Supporting Sustainability Goals By minimizing lab testing and downtime, Petro-SIM promotes a more sustainable refining process, aligning with the industry’s shift towards greater environmental responsibility.
This presentation underscored KBC’s commitment to help refiners tackle complex challenges. As energy demands become more nuanced, software solutions like Petro-SIM are paving the way for Bringing Decarbonization to LifeTM within the refining industry.