Expertise

Multivariable Process Gas Management

Process gas networks are typically controlled using multiple independent controllers acting on gas sources, consumers, and the flare to maintain the system in balance. A lack of coordination between these controllers can result in:

  • Pressure instability during normal operation, caused by different setpoints and uncoordinated corrective actions, resulting in control-valve cycling and interactions between process units;
  • Emergency shutdowns of critical equipment caused by network pressure instability, particularly at burners, reactors, or other process equipment;
  • Increased operating costs resulting from the loss of valuable process gas to flare and increased consumption of purchased fuel.

A continuous mass balance allows the network to be managed as a single energy system, anticipating imbalances and making it possible to:

  • Improve plant availability and reduce manual intervention during production changes, equipment trips, and abnormal operating conditions.
  • Stabilize and coordinate high-, medium-, and low-pressure gas networks to reduce controller interactions and the propagation of disturbances;
  • Reduce flaring and purchased fuel consumption by maximizing the use of process gases and their integration with Enero multi-fuel combustion systems;

Discover our industries that impact this expertise