Thermal Optimization Analysis of Crude Preheat Network: A Case Study of Shiraz Refinery

In this paper the preheat system of a Crude Distillation Unit is investigated in order to achieve more efficient energy saving and higher temperaturefor the outgoing crude. A combination of nine Shell& Tube heat exchangers raise the crude temperature from 86 °F to 370 °F, where it is later directed toheaters and to distillation column afterwards. Through an analysis using computer software, the possibility of higher preheat temperature isinvestigated. Results indicate that certain modifications accounting for a significant reduction in the consumption of utilities as well as a betterperformance of the whole process lead into a 31 °Frise in the temperature of the crude exiting the preheat network