Material and energy integration in a petroleum refinery complex

Abstract This paper used an industrial case study to illustrate the importance of material and energy integration in a refinery. A MILP model of a petroleum refinery complex including a refinery plant, chemical plant and utility plant was developed and integrated to reflect the interactions among these plants. The balances of steam, fuel gas and electricity were included into a single site-model, making the model capable of optimizing operations among the plants at different time periods and scenarios. Investment strategies and retrofitting suggestions were obtained using the model. In this paper, an analytical method called Marginal Value Analysis (MVA) was proposed that provides additional economic information for process and utility streams, electricity or fuel gas inside the refinery. Interesting results and important insights were generated using the analysis to assist in decision-making and price intermediate materials.