Application of the self-heat recuperation technology to crude oil distillation

Crude oil distillation is an atmospheric distillation column using a furnace. It consumes about 50% of the energy required in an oil refinery plant. To reduce energy requirements, it is necessary to investigate crude oil distillation and to retrofit it with energy saving processes. Recently, the authors developed an innovative process design technology, termed self-heat recuperation technology for saving energy. To apply this technology, whole-process heat is recirculated within the process without heat addition, leading to large energy savings. In this paper, crude oil distillation is analyzed and a crude oil distillation model for an energy saving design is developed. Furthermore, the feasibility of application of self-heat recuperation technology is investigated and self-heat recuperative crude oil distillation is proposed.