Application of Mathematical Model for Optimal Blending of Crude Oils

Abstract

Crude oil blending as a unit operation in the transportation and refining processes is critical for process optimization. This is because crude oils vary in properties based on their source of production. Meanwhile, distillation equipment (crude distillation unit) is designed based on the specific properties of crude oil. Product yield, therefore, is dependent on the proximity of the crude properties to be distilled to the design parameters of the crude distillation unit (CDU). Processing of crude oil with a wide disparity in properties gives a poor yield. Crude oil blending addresses this problem by mixing crude oils with different properties to give approximate values to the desired design properties. The present work developed mixing criteria for crude oils to achieve the properties that give optimum distillation output based on select crude parameters. The models were tested with simulation data from three Sudanese Crude oils and gave good predictive quality.