Q: Technical details

Thermal capacity delivered: • 1 MW in 2024 • 2 MW in 2025 Equipment deployed: • 2 x WCC800 cooling units • 3 x WV pumps • 1 x PM2000 power module • A set of manifolds to ensure service continuity • 180 metres of cabling per cooling unit • Exchangers installed at a height of 12 metres • Contract duration: 3 months

Question 1

Technical details

Accepted Answer

Thermal capacity delivered:
• 1 MW in 2024
• 2 MW in 2025

Equipment deployed:
• 2 x WCC800 cooling units
• 3 x WV pumps
• 1 x PM2000 power module
• A set of manifolds to ensure service continuity
• 180 metres of cabling per cooling unit
• Exchangers installed at a height of 12 metres
• Contract duration: 3 months

Question 2

The challenge

Accepted Answer

A leading French refiner sought to enhance the fractionation performance and energy efficiency of its atmospheric distillation unit during the summer months. The objective was to reduce the temperature of the cooling water (from the cooling tower network) entering the overhead gas condenser exchangers. This adjustment had a significant impact on the overall performance of the distillation unit:

• Lower operating pressure in the atmospheric distillation column
• Improved cut points between the various hydrocarbon fractions in the multi-draw column
• Removal of bottlenecks in the overhead gas circuit, preventing flaring of valuable products (LPG and gasoline)
• Reduced natural gas consumption due to lower temperature differentials between the furnace and the column (at constant fractionation)
• Decreased steam consumption for stripping at the bottom of the column

Question 3

The difference

Accepted Answer

• A detailed design study on vapour-liquid equilibrium at the column head, conducted by APS
• Delivered during a heatwave, thanks to seamless coordination across Aggreko teams
• Despite extreme conditions, commissioning was completed on time with zero disruption to operations

Question 4

The impact

Accepted Answer

The refinery was able to increase operational margins on its atmospheric distillation unit and capitalise on the currently high refining margins in Europe. The improved separation and enhanced unit performance also provided greater operational flexibility and contributed to lower CO₂ emissions, thanks to reduced natural gas combustion in the furnace.
In the long term, the reduced thermal stress on the furnace extends the intervals between decoking maintenance operations, helping to lower fixed maintenance costs.

Question 5

The solution

Accepted Answer

Aggreko designed and deployed a bespoke temporary cooling solution to boost the performance of the overhead gas exchangers. The system delivered an additional 10°C cooling of the tower water feeding the exchanger loop, significantly improving separation efficiency and increasing yields of refined products.

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Optimising cooling performance for an atmospheric distillation unit during summer

Boosting atmospheric distillation efficiency with temporary cooling solutions

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