Price differentials between conventional and opportu-
nity crudes compel refiners to process increasing per-
centages of lower valued opportunity crude. However,
as many refiners have learned the hard way, opportu-
nity crudes are tied to unique processing challenges.
Furthermore, existing crude unit configurations may
limit high-profit opportunity crude to a disappointingly
small proportion of the total unit blend.
Processing a changing slate of opportunity crudes of
varying compositions requires a CDU/VDU design that
is flexible, reliable, and commercially proven. A good
design must control chronic problems associated with
many of these crudes including corrosion, exchanger
fouling, tray plugging, vacuum heater and wash bed
coking, and unreliable product quality prediction. CDU/
VDU designs for challenging crudes should be based
on proven best-practices rather than simply on a low-
CAPEX strategy. For example, a poorly designed heat
exchanger may operate well initially, but high foul-
ing will quickly lower efficiency and eventually limit
throughput. Up front investment in engineering expe-
rience and know-how pays dividends when units meet
capacity and run-length targets.
Over the course of 20 years, Process Consulting Ser-
vices has completed more than 130 revamp and grass-
roots designs supported by over 75 detailed test runs.
An extensive collection of test run equipment perfor-
mance data and feed/product analyses enables confi-
dent prediction of real-world opportunity crude perfor-
mance. PCS has enabled refiners worldwide to extend
crude unit run lengths from months to years while im-
proving yields and operability.
3400 Bissonnet St.
Suite 130
Houston, TX 77005, USA
Pr c N
Opportunity or Annoyance?
This exchanger is a victim of its design.
+1 (713) 665-7046
Test run feed and product samples
