June 2018
Special Focus: Process Optimization
Use advanced predictive analytics for early detection and warning of column flooding events
In this study, a methodology was implemented to predict crude distillation tower flooding events based on key process variables, including product yields, column pumparound (PA) flowrates, column temperatures and overhead reflux flowrate.
The Authors
Jose Bird is director of advanced analytics at Valero Energy Corp. He is responsible for implementing statistical solutions in the areas of process optimization, energy efficiency, process monitoring and ethanol manufacturing operations.
Jill Brown Burns is a Director of technology at Valero, responsible for troubleshooting, operations and design of the many fractionation columns and crude and vacuum distillation units at Valero’s 14 refineries. Her previous experience includes positions at Marathon Petroleum and Sulzer Chemtech. Ms. Burns holds a BS degree in chemical engineering from the University of Oklahoma.
Yves Racette is Principal Process Optimization Support Engineer at Valero Energy Corp. His areas of expertise are data historian systems and process unit monitoring.
Jason Beaulieu is a Business Systems Design Analyst at Valero Energy Corp., specializing in data historian systems.
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