By leveraging previously hidden information, the chemicals company can more consistently demonstrate that they are operating at the best achievable energy and emissions performance. Specific gains have been made across the process. Examples which have prompted operational adjustments to improve energy and emissions performance include:
- Visibility of the different energy requirements from various operating configurations, e.g., the quantification of emissions associated with different uses of steam
- Equipment efficiency performance and impact on emissions e.g., proposed changes to the decoking schedule of the furnaces
- Optimization of fuel mixture within the steam boiler plant to minimize usage and waste
- Data to support evaluation of optimum equipment, factoring in facility throughput
- Early warning of corrections potentially required due to degrading equipment efficiency
- Quantification and implementation of best crew practices e.g., optimum train startups
- Understanding the impact of seasonality on emissions, and energy use for plant areas where heat-addition or removal is required
