Refinery operations and control: A future vision

In this paper the author takes an educated guess on how refineries will be operated ten to fifteen years out. He has tried to strike a balance between the Gee Whiz what marvels could be worked, and some practical realities of a conservative industry with many legacy systems and evolutionary approach to change. He first takes a look at four basic trends and practical realities that will influence how one operates and controls the business in the future: financial and capital situation; basic refining process knowledge; instrumentation and measurement; and computing technology. These factors will significantly influence how far the industry can go in total automation, and where it will still need people involvement on a routine basis.