Process Area Isolation Valve Mapping for Hydrocarbon Emergencies

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Solution Overview

Problem

In hydrocarbon processing facilities, emergency isolation during upsets, incidents, or fires is often delayed or aggravated due to reliance on operator training and human error, as existing systems lack automated and efficient methods to quickly identify and isolate the emergency.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method that converts drawing vectors of process systems into code to identify the location of an emergency and determine the appropriate isolation valve, using a graphical interface and logic-based algorithms to assess impacts and recommend the most effective isolation strategy, considering factors like wind direction and process parameters.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If emergency shutdown systems (ESD) are used to shut down the processing facility, then the emergency can be isolated, but the shutdown may prolong or aggravate the emergency situation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveemergency isolation effectivenessVSAvoidemergency severity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the facility into multiple process areas with specific boundary definitions, allowing localized isolation rather than facility-wide shutdown. Each process area is coded and mapped to specific isolation valves, enabling precise segmentation of the emergency zone from the rest of the facility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-coding all process areas, equipment, and isolation valves before emergencies occur. The mapping between process areas and isolation valves is established in advance, allowing the system to immediately determine required isolations without delay when an emergency occurs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If operator training and knowledge are relied upon to isolate the system, then human judgment can be applied, but time delays and human error occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveisolation decision accuracyVSAvoidisolation response time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-service by automatically determining required isolations based on pre-coded process area definitions and emergency location input. The system eliminates the need for operator knowledge retrieval and decision-making by directly computing the isolation requirements from the emergency location and pre-established mappings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces the mechanical human decision-making process with an automated computer-based system. Instead of relying on operator training and judgment, the system uses pre-coded definitions and algorithmic processing to determine isolations, substituting human cognitive functions with automated computational functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If facility-wide shutdown is implemented, then all emergencies are contained, but normal operations are disrupted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveemergency containmentVSAvoidfacility operational capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables segmentation of the facility into independent process areas with defined boundaries. By identifying the specific process area containing the emergency and its associated isolation valves, the system allows containment of emergencies to localized segments while maintaining operational capacity in other segments of the facility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Ease of operation

If detailed operator training is provided, then isolation decisions can be made, but training time and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveisolation decision capabilityVSAvoidtraining system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces complex operator training requirements with automated computational processing. Instead of training operators to analyze complex process relationships, the system uses pre-coded definitions and algorithmic logic to automatically determine isolations, substituting human training with automated system intelligence.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS20240152134A1Isolation of Emergency within Process Systems of a Hydrocarbon Processing Facility

Publication Date: 2024.05.09 SAUDI ARABIAN OIL CO

AI summary

Example computer-implemented methods, media, and systems for isolating an emergency within process systems of a hydrocarbon processing facility are disclosed. One example method includes receiving a drawing of multiple process systems of a hydrocarbon processing facility. A respective identifier is assigned to each of multiple drawing vectors, where each of the multiple drawing vectors corresponds to a respective component of the multiple process systems. The multiple drawing vectors are coded based on the assigned identifiers. One or more drawing vectors connected to a location of the emergency are determined from the multiple coded drawing vectors. One or more connections between the one or more drawing vectors and the location of the emergency are identified. A first isolation valve for isolation of the emergency is determined from one or more isolation valves corresponding to the one or more connections. The first isolation valve is provided for the isolation of the emergency.