May 2019
Process Optimization
Case study for a high-performing refinery loss control program
Most refineries have some sort of mass balance and loss control program in place for accounting, planning and scheduling, as well as for financial and operational evaluation purposes.
The Authors
Julie Valentine works with downstream manufacturers globally to enhance the selection of measurement and analytical devices to optimize sustainable plant operations. Valentine joined Emerson in 1993 and has more than 30 yr of experience in the refining and petrochemical process and automation industries. She has authored numerous technical papers on various applications of measurement technology in the refining industry and is a co-inventor in two U.S. patents. Valentine earned a BS degree in chemical and petroleum refining engineering from the Colorado School of Mines.
Raul Videla is the Supervisor of KPIs, mass and energy, and yield accounting at YPF’s Luján de Cuyo refinery in Argentina. During his tenure as supervisor, the Luján de Cuyo refinery has witnessed significant improvements in reducing losses and improving KPIs under the process improvement programs that his team has implemented. Mr. Videla has more than 30 yr of refining experience, and has held various roles at YPF involving managing projects tied mainly to mass balance, gasoline blending and yield accounting. He has a Bch degree in chemical engineering from the University of San Juan in Argentina, along with a specialist engineering degree in refining from the University of Buenos Aires.
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