This paper describes the implementation of a real time optimization (RTO) in a fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) converter of Henrique Lage Petrobras’ refinery. It is used an RTO strategy in which the manipulated/controlled targets calculated by the optimizer are implemented by the multivariable predictive controller, via quadratic programming (QP). The optimization cycle consists on the following steps, executed in sequence: (1) steady state detection of process, (2) model parameter updating, (3) solution of optimization problem, that corresponds to the maximum profitability inside the operating region limited by the process constraints and (4) integration with the multivariable controller. The optimizer is composed of FCCSIM software, licensed by KBC Company, integrated with SICON (Petrobras’ software for advanced control implementation) for on line execution. The economic benefit estimation is US$ 1.6 million per year, due to increasing yields of more valuable products and energy saving.
Real Time Optimization; FCC Optimization; Advanced Control; RTO
