Aspen Refinery Multi-Blend Optimizer
(formerly Aspen MBO)
A multi-blend optimization tool for seamless scheduling and
optimization of product blending
Aspen Refinery Multi-Blend Optimizer provides off-line
blend scheduling and optimization capabilities for gasoline,
distillates, fuel oils, and other refined products. It
generates optimal recipes for individual blends or aggregates
blends into time partitions. Aspen Refinery Multi-Blend
Optimizer can be implemented standalone or with Aspen Petroleum Scheduler for
refinery blend optimization and scheduling. Aspen Refinery
Multi-Blend Optimizer is a core element of aspenONE®
Planning and Scheduling for Refining and Marketing.
Features
- Optimal Blending Schedules: Using an
event-based, multi-period, and multi-blending modeling system,
optimal blend schedules for short- and/or long-term campaigns are
developed.
- Linear and Nonlinear Modeling: Delivers the
automatic generation and simultaneous solution of a mixed-integer,
nonlinear model of the entire blending process. Includes complex
nonlinear blending correlations, tank constraints, discrete volume
and recipe constraints, and all relevant events such as blends,
product shipments, intermediate receipts, and tank-to-tank
transfers.
- Common Database: Shares a common
database with Aspen Petroleum Scheduler and uses the same
graphical user interface, giving the scheduling staff the same
“look and feel” for all activities and enabling them to
optimize blending based on an Aspen Petroleum Scheduler
schedule.
- Blend Control Interface: Allows for a
standard automated export of optimized blend recipes to the blend
control system.
- Aspen Blend Model Library (ABML):
Provides a common set of blending correlations that can be shared
between Aspen Refinery Multi-Blend Optimizer and other
components of the apsenONE Planning & Scheduling solution
(e.g., Aspen PIMS™ and
Aspen Petroleum Scheduler). ABML supports
calculations for index properties, derived properties, complex
properties, interaction coefficients, and client-specific blending
correlations. Numerous specifications are supported including EPA
RFG, CARBOB, and RBOB.
- What-If Analysis: Provides look-ahead
feasibility analysis and allows user to easily compare trend data
for multiple cases on a single chart for what-if cost
comparisons.
Benefits
- Increase Collaboration: The integration
between Aspen Refinery Multi-Blend Optimizer and Aspen
Petroleum Scheduler helps process unit schedulers and blend
schedulers stay synchronized, while reducing model maintenance and
total cost of ownership. Additional integration to Aspen PIMS
provides collaboration with planners.
- Improve Margins: By using the optimal
combination of components, blend recipe giveaway and blend quality
giveaway reductions are realized and overall margins are
optimized.
- Meet Regulatory Requirements: Eliminate
off-spec blends and penalties by consistently meeting regulatory
requirements.
- Reduce Supply Chain Costs: Decrease demurrage,
inventory holding costs, and component stockouts by making the
right blends on first attempt. Provides greater upgrade of
low-volume components.
- Increase Visibility: Improved interaction with
the trading group by providing more valuable information on
inventory positions and component requirements.