Retrofit design of hydrogen distribution systems: a practical case study(Book Chapter)

The recent environmental restrictions to cut down pollutant gas emissions, along with the increasing drive to process heavy and sour crude oils, and the refining market trends toward gasoline and middle distillate fuels, have led to increased hydrogen demands associated with hydrotreating and hydrocracking processes. This manuscript addresses the synthesis of optimal hydrogen distribution systems bearing in mind both economic and operational issues. The optimal flowsheet configuration is established following a deterministic optimisation approach. One practical case study is provided to highlight the importance of an effective hydrogen management strategy amongst other production planning and scheduling decisions. This work was carried out within an industrial research project in close collaboration with Galp Energia and it is focused on a Petrogal's refinery located near Sines, Portugal. © 2017 Elsevier B.V.