Module 1: Overview of Refinery Operations
• Introduction to refining processes and value chain
• Refinery configuration and product slate
• Key process units: distillation, cracking, reforming, blending
Module 2: Fundamentals of Production Planning
• Objectives and scope of refinery planning
• Crude selection, product demand forecasting, and inventory management
• Material balance and yield estimation
• Planning horizons – long-term, medium-term, and short-term
Module 3: Linear Programming (LP) and Optimization Techniques
• Introduction to LP and MIP models
• Development of refinery LP models
• Crude and product blending optimization
• Constraints, objective functions, and solution interpretation
Module 4: Scheduling in Petroleum Refineries
• Difference between planning and scheduling
• Short-term scheduling objectives and challenges
• Unit capacity and downtime management
• Batch sequencing and blending schedules
Module 5: Integration of Planning and Scheduling
• Data flow between planning and scheduling systems
• Refinery information systems and data management
• Advanced software tools for integrated optimization (e.g., Aspen PIMS, RPMS)
• Real-time optimization and dynamic scheduling
Module 6: Economic and Operational Considerations
• Impact of crude and product prices on planning
• Inventory control and logistics optimization
• Energy management and cost reduction strategies
• Balancing economic and environmental performance
Module 7: Case Studies and Best Practices
• Review of refinery planning and scheduling success stories
• Troubleshooting common issues in refinery operations
• Best practices for cross-departmental coordination
• Lessons learned from global refining operations
Module 8: Practical Workshop
• Simulation of refinery planning and scheduling scenario
• Optimization of crude blending and production sequencing
• Group exercise: developing an integrated refinery plan