Success Story

The turbomachinery operating within a refinery hydroprocessing unit requires some of the most capable actuation in the world. These compressors and pumps must be controlled accurately and reliably for a refinery to meet its operational goals. Typically, this machinery is driven by a steam turbine which converts thermal energy to rotational energy. A poor controlling or unreliable actuator can lead to inefficiency which erodes the bottom line and/or unplanned shutdowns which interrupt throughput.

Steam turbines are found in almost any processing plant or power generation facility. Used as the driver for other rotating equipment, steam turbines convert thermal energy to rotational energy — ultimately controlling the input speed or power of a driven device. Any turbine downtime negatively impacts the overall plant process. Therefore, reliable and repeatable control is imperative for efficient plant process and maximum profitability.

REXA recently conducted a successful installation on a crude unit heater at a refinery in California. Furnaces help refineries and petrochemical plants break down and convert hydrocarbon fluids into fuels or chemicals such as gasoline, diesel, ethylene, and propylene. When making process improvements, these facilities tend to overlook improving furnace draft control. There are many instruments to choose from when optimizing the draft in a process heater. The challenge is safely elevating process fluid temperature to a target level, maximizing thermal efficiency and throughput and reducing O2, CO and NOx emissions.