Petroleum Refining Simulation and Optimization Theory
This section covers the fundamental theoretical aspects of petroleum refining engineering and process simulation. It brings together key concepts related to refinery processes, mathematical modeling, simulation, optimization, and the development of refinery digital twins. More detailed information is available in our Solutions section.
First published: August 18, 2026
Hydrocarbon Processing Modeling Fundamentals: Material Flows, Balances, and Digital SimulationThis article introduces the fundamentals of hydrocarbon processing modeling, focusing on material flow representation, process levels, and dynamic simulation approaches. It explains how Petroleum Refining Library (PRL) uses material flow modeling in AnyLogic to represent oil & gas processing systems, integrate operational logic, and provide a foundation for digital twins, optimization, and future component-based modeling.
First published: August 19, 2026
Gas Condensate Processing: Stabilization, Fractionation, and Product Flows (part 1)This article provides an overview of gas condensate processing, covering deethanization, stabilization, fractionation, and the resulting hydrocarbon product streams. It also examines the integration of processing, storage, transportation, and downstream operations, highlighting the role of process simulation in identifying bottlenecks and evaluating operational scenarios.
First published: August 19, 2026
Crude Oil Processing: Separation, Dehydration, and Stabilization (part 2)This article presents the main principles of crude oil processing, from gas–liquid separation and dehydration to desalting and stabilization. It explains how these operations prepare crude oil for storage, transportation, and further refining, and highlights the key factors to consider when modeling an integrated crude oil processing system.
