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How do you improve fuel gas composition if Refinery Fuel Gas System is found to be 'Too Rich', and thereby improve refinery margin? What should be typical FG composition (minima/maxima) to be maintained for an integrated refinery (full conversion) with downstream petrochemicals (say, 400,000 barrels/day crude processing)? What kind of process adjustments, do you recommend to bring the FG composition acceptable in the above minima/maxima range, so that there is a 'value addition' to utilise Fuel Gas System to utilise 'optimal quantity/quality' in the Fired Heaters in the Complex?
 
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26/02/2013 A: Ralph Ragsdale, Ragsdale Refining Courses, ralph.ragsdale@att.net
In my experience, you are asking the tail to wag the dog. Optimize the recovery of C3 and heavier at each gas plant and vapor recovery section. Optimize the hydrogen distribution and purging system based on not wasting hydrogen and recycle hydrogen purities. Then accept the fuel gas heating value that results.