Optimización de la combustión utilizando como criterios de evaluación el índice de Wobbe y el número de metano Combustion optimization using methane number and wobbe index as evaluation criteria

In an Oil refining process, 113 streams have been identified as contributors for the gas fuel net which is used in furnaces and boilers to supply power and steam to the refining process. According to the origin and the previous treatment of the gases, these gas streams have different compositions that vary from natural gas composition which creates technical and structural pro- blems that can affect not only the equipment but also the refining process. Based on the previous statement, the combustion gas fluxes are analyzed not only by its components but also as a fuel gas. The combustion effi- ciency and the stability of the operation is evaluated ta- king into account two parameters in concordance with the process characteristics and then used as criteria for assessing the potential effect derived from the fuel com- position in relation to energy efficiency and equipment integrity. The principal result was a proposal for an inte- gral fuel net.