Implementation of Advanced Process Control in Refineries

The paper presents a study of the Advanced Process Control (APC) system implemented in refineries. Initially, the paper introduces the Advanced Control System concept and its components. In the second part of the article, a short overview of the Advanced Process Control system is presented. The author's research was directed to the APC system related to the catalytic cracking plant. Two APC systems implemented in the catalytic cracking plant, one presented in literature and the other found in a Romanian refinery were compared. The common elements and the particularities of each system were identified. Starting from the existing data in the Romanian plant, the authors developed a component of the APC system for the butane-butylene distillation column. The process mathematical models used in the design of the controller in the APC system are presented. The control system with the designed MPC controller is tested for step changes of set-points and disturbances.