Modification and simulation of asphalt blowing unit (ABU) - hot oil system

Abstract

This work focuses on the modification and simulation of asphalt blowing unit- hot oil system of Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company (KRPC). The modification involves an introduction of a 10-inch bye-pass line to the hot oil drum which helps in preventing oil loss and decrease heater duty for better efficiency and cost effective system. While the original and modified units were simulated using ASPEN HYSYS with
the aim of observing the effect of temperature on the heater duty of the units and to determine the volume of hot oil lost from the hot oil drum due to flashing. After successful completion of the simulation, the amount of vapour lost per hour for the operational system was found to be 0.3853 m³, with a heater duty of 32240 kcal/hr while for the modified system is 0.3841 m³ and 11480 kcal/hr for amount of vapour loss and heater duty respectively. Prior to the modification, the oil is replenished at an interval of 48hrs which is totally avoidable. The introduction of bye-pass line helps to prevent oil loss and reduce heater duty by 64.40%.