Optimal Design of Cogeneration Systems Based on Flaring and Venting Streams and Accounting for the Involved Uncertainty

Abstract

This work presents an optimization approach to design cogeneration systems able to use flare streams as supplementary fuel during normal and abnormal operation in oil complexes, while the problems associated with flaring are mitigated. A MINLP model is proposed to sizing and designing the cogeneration system that maximizes the net profit and minimizes the greenhouse gas emissions of the system accounting for the uncertain variables associated with abnormal situations and flare streams like flow, frequency, flaring gas quality, and volatility price. This paper proposes a solution approach that enables to determine cumulative probability curves to give to decision makers a useful tool to know the financial risk related to the implementation of the proposed system, and the results show that the proposed system is a suitable option to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and to decrease the operating costs. 1 2017 Elsevier B.V.