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Increasing Capacity in Sulfur Production Using Sulsim Modeling
Technology Category
- Analytics & Modeling - Digital Twin / Simulation
Applicable Industries
- Oil & Gas
Applicable Functions
- Process Manufacturing
Use Cases
- Process Control & Optimization
Services
- Data Science Services
The Challenge
Siirtec Nigi, an engineering and contracting company, was tasked by one of their customers to nearly double sulfur production capacity. The challenge was to find the optimal level of oxygen enrichment and set up controls to increase sulfur recovery unit capacity. The customer was anticipating expensive changes with a huge impact on equipment and processes. The key challenge was determining an operating envelope for optimal operations.
About The Customer
Siirtec Nigi is an engineering and contracting company providing a range of services around oil and gas treatment, sulfur recovery, and acid gas removal. Their customers include many oil and gas companies and other international EPC contractors, both onshore and offshore. One of Siirtec Nigi’s customers wanted to nearly double sulfur production capacity.
The Solution
Siirtec Nigi used Aspen HYSYS to simulate the case study, conduct sensitivity analysis, and define a window of operating conditions. The simulation validated the original heat and material balance created using a different tool. Based on the HYSYS model, Siirtec Nigi proposed an increase from 50 ton/day to 90 ton/day in sulfur production capacity that required only minor equipment upgrades. The upgrades can be completed during a normal turnaround, rather than scheduling an additional, costly shutdown because the simulation showed the minimal changes required to achieve the desired outcome.
Operational Impact
Quantitative Benefit
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