关键词: pinch analysis, pressure, diesel hydrotreating unit, heat exchanger network, energy saving

Abstract: Diesel hydrotreating unit (DHT) is an integral part of the refinery, and its energy-saving optimization is of great significance to the enterprise. In this paper, process simulation software and energy management software are used to simulate the flowsheet and analyze the energy consumption, respectively. Stream data obtained from an existing DHT are applied in the pinch analysis for retrofitting the heat exchanger network (HEN) to achieve maximum energy utilization by using pinch analysis. Since DHT is constrained by pressure, the pressure factor is considered in the process of retrofitting. The results show that the amount of cross-pinch heat transfer is reduced, the inlet temperature of the furnace is increased by 55 ℃, and the amount of hot and cold utilities can be reduced by 70.25% and 50.16%, respectively. The economic evaluation indicates that the operating cost is saved by 4.39×106 $/a, and the payback period is about 2 months.

Key words: pinch analysis, pressure, diesel hydrotreating unit, heat exchanger network, energy saving