An Original Approach for the Dynamic Simulation of a Crude Oil Distillation Plant : 2. Setting-up and Testing the Simulator

The dynamic simulation of a crude oil unit is useful in understanding the unusual behavior of such a complex plant, which is induced by the dynamics of individual sub-processes in combination with the complex plant topology. Also, it serves to investigate suitable strategies for process control, including closed-loop operation at the nominal operating point, load and specification changes, as well as startup procedures [1]. The model presented in the first part of the study [2] becomes now the simulator kernel - of course, with additional elements in order to respect the physical reality of the crude oil distillation unit, by using the powerful and versatile DIVA software environment [3,4]. Both plant "open-loop" and "closed loop" simulation results are presented, proving good performances as fast simulation and accurate results