This document provides an insightful case study on how Akselos helped a North American refinery operator address reactor start-up and shutdown challenges through its engineering simulation software. The outdated approach of using old Minimum Pressurization Curves and temperature ramps was replaced with a structural digital twin of the reactor. This digital twin harnessed sensor and historical data for a thorough stress and fatigue analysis.
This innovative solution reduced reactor downtime by over 25%, enabling additional plant uptime. The digital twin provided in-depth insights into the reactor’s fatigue life, empowering operators to schedule timely repair and maintenance activities. The long-term plan is to integrate the digital twin with the plant’s operating systems for automated, efficient start-ups without risking any damage. Additionally, the application of this technology has the potential to extend the lifespan of the hydrotreater by continually assessing the vessel’s state and providing alerts for potential damage. Thus, Akselos’ innovative solution enables more informed decision-making, enhancing operational efficiency and asset integrity.
