(67f) Reconciling Mass and Energy Balances in An Ethylene Complex

All instrumentation inherently has measurement errors and requires periodic calibration and servicing. When these meters are used for production and utility accounting or custody accounting, it is important that these errors are eliminated or at least minimized. But given the large number of measurements involved in an olefin complex material balance, how can one tell which meter(s) are incorrect and where the mass balance errors are coming from?

Many companies have applied statistically-based mass and energy balance reconciliation techniques to solve this problem. The success of these projects involve not just software but also proper evaluation of existing measurement systems, devices, installation, and calibration, plus the overall production accounting business process.

This paper highlights the important aspects of implementing a mass and utility balance system for an ethylene complex and highlights the benefits that companies have achieved from this technology.