Steam Network modeling and simulation in gas refinery by considering pinch technology

Steam as the key component of every site utility systems not only provides heat for most processes, but also has the ability to generate great amount of power; so that, managing and optimization of steam network can result in Energy, Power and Money saving. The present study is to exploit Phase 2&3 of South Pars Gas Refinery Steam Network (Unit-121) modeling and optimization with the respect to steam pinch analysis, getting help from Turbine, Boiler and other part of steam network models. By using engineering and thermodynamic knowledge, a boiler model is developed and the turbine model is applied for the shaft-work targeting of steam turbines. Network components models are capable of predicting the real efficiency trends of the units. Moreover, steam network model is analyzed by integrated simulation in Simulink MATLAB environment. In this research, Pinch analysis is done by a powerful tool, the STAR software, which is developed by center of Process Integration, University of Manchester and used for model parameter tuning. Moreover, Pinch technology application for model parameter tuning is new approach to have more thermodynamically compatible model.