Fast Paybacks from Unique Multivariable

Predictive Control Services and Softwares

OIL PETROCHEMICALS
REFINING

Advanced Process Control (APC) is recognized 

GASES ALTERNATIVES &
RENEWABLES
WATER as a highly effective solution, to improve
unit performance, and to mainly create a
B E N E F I T S
quick return on investment. However, many
• Single point of contact for APC
implementations fail due to their complexity project (no limitation on additional
or lack of adherence to real process behavior. software vendors, integrators or
third-party service providers)
As a process licensor and catalyst supplier,
Axens has first-hand knowledge, of the best • Typical economic benefits are in the
range of 0.1 to 0.3 US$ per barrel,
strategies for implementation of APC projects. depending on the above factors
| Advanced Process Control

APC provided by Axens ensures robust and difficulty of optimization under

operator control
control, increases process operation
stability and allows operators to reach the
• Improved process performance

economical optimum yield through unique • Greater yields

services and applications. • Higher product quality
• Reduced energy and catalyst costs
• Higher throughput
A Licensor Approach • Longer run life
As a leading process licensor, and based • Fewer downstream disturbances
on its unique core knowledge, Axens has • Increased Process Operation
Stability thanks to the New State
developed models and apply them to APC Space Technology (See page 2)
in refining and petrochemicals processes:
• Possibility of integrated solution/
selective hydrogenation, etherification, offering from process design phase
isomerization, reforming, hydrotreatment for grassroots units
and hydrocracking…

Individual processes are examined from

Time
in operation
Average Average Average =
Economical
the perspective of Axens, sophisticated
operational know-how to develop APC
in hour Optimum
100

strategies that will maximize process

performance. Axens strengths include
80
the availability of kinetic models and
thermodynamic data, which allow to
derive reliable proprietary inferential
60
models enabling to reach the economical
optimum (Figure 1).

40

APC Services
Axens provides services covering all phases
20
of APC projects:
• Functional design: Some processes are
sufficiently defined to proceed directly
0
84 85 85 87 88 89 90
with the project. For others, a front-end
wt%
feasibility study or functional design
● APC Off ● Common APC ● Axens APC
specification is carried out to specify more
details, estimate benefits, and scope out
Ï Figure 1: Result of Aromatics yield from
CCR Reforming without APC and with
the project.
Standard APC compared to Axens APC. • Detailed design: Design of the specific
set of APC functions, gathering of the
 MV’s CV’s MV’s
necessary dynamic and process data, on its proprietary inferential models.
code and test controls. Developed in early 2000 with state of
• Implementation: Configuration, operator the art algorithms, MVAC benefits from
interfaces, input-output definition, continuous development. Where Standard
installation of software systems. APC traditionally uses a “Black Box
• Commissioning: On-site testing, tuning, Model», i.e. only manipulated variables
and site acceptance tests. (MV’s) and controlled variables (CV’s),
• Post-Audit and Maintenance: Ensuring Axens has developed its own State Space ● iCV’s
close follow-up of controller performance, technology. It offers superior control, thanks Traditional “Black Box” Model State Space “

software updates, refresher training in to intermediate controlled variables

MV’s (iCV’s) CV’s MV’s CV’s
order to sustain the benefits of APC. that extend the relationship between
• Training: Maintaining operator and manipulated and controlled variables (“Grey
engineer knowledge to drive, troubleshoot Box” Model), by describing how unmeasured
and improve APC applications. disturbances affect the process (Figure 2).
Measurements of process variables that are
not specifically controlled, provide valuable
APC Softwares information about the internal state of the
● iCV’s
With its new Multivariable State Space process, resulting in more robust, lessBox” Model
Traditional “Black State Space “Grey Box” Model
Predictive Controller (MVAC), Axens offers aggressive and more time-coordinated
a complete and flexible solution based control. Ï Figure 2: Standard APC vs. Axens State Space
Technology: MVAC

MVAC is a core technology, consisting of STANDARD APC STANDARD APC AXENS INFERENTIAL MODELS MVAC SUITE
valuable On-Line or Off-Line components + +
AXENS INFERENTIAL MODELS AXENS APC WITH MVAC ISIAC
that are designed to efficiently implement + Dynamic Modeling
and maintain plant-wide APC applications. MVAC SUITE
MVAC
This MVAC Suite is built around Axens OPTIMIZER
Simulation
Multivariable State Space Predictive LP/QP
OPTIMIZER MVAC
Controller (MVAC), which provides robust Configure
control and the safe capture of plant LP/QP
Inferentials Controller Data
benefits. Axens recommends using MVAC OPTIMIZER Tuning Base

technology exclusively, but it can be LP/QP Inferentials

MVAC
integrated with other control software at Full Test
the customer’s request.
MVAC MVAC
Standard Standard Web
APC APC State Space
APC
MVAC
Report
DCS DCS DCS

ISIAC Dynamic modeling package

MVAC Configure Controller and data base configuration
MVAC Simulation Closed loop tuning validation
MVAC FullTest Off-line testing of the fully connected APC
(MVAC+Inferential+Autostep+Web Access)
MVAC Web Remote access for monitoring and tuning
MVAC Report Maintenance and reporting tool

Ï Figure 3: Standard to Unique APC technology: MVAC

For more information on unique multivariable predictive control services and applications applied to dedicated process technologies, see the following

commercial bulletins: APC for Prime-G+®, APC for Eluxyl® and for CCR Reforming.

Axens is a group providing a complete range of solutions for the conversion

of oil and biomass to cleaner fuels, the production and purification of major
petrochemical intermediates as well as all of natural gas treatment and conversion
options. The integrated offer includes technologies, equipment, furnaces, modular
[Link]/blog units, catalysts, adsorbents and related services, commercialized under “Axens
Solutions”, “Heurtey Petrochem Solutions” and “Axens Horizon” brands.

2020_06_APC