Auxiliary Boilers Energy Performance Benchmarking

Abstract ADNOC Gas Processing, in its journey towards energy excellence, has adopted a novel in-house methodology for energy performance benchmarking. This methodology is primarily focused to unit & equipment level performance comparison, to identify gaps and highlight opportunities for improvement following the best international practices. Benchmarking is an evaluation of any aspect by comparing it with a standard or any other reference at different levels and scales. Generally, in an Oil & Gas Industry, auxiliary boilers mainly consume natural gas to produce steam for process heating. Energy performance of boilers is susceptible to decline due to several reasons and results in reduced efficiency. Owing to the significance of auxiliary boilers energy performance in the overall energy efficiency of gas processing, ADNOC Gas Processing conducted an in-house energy performance benchmarking of auxiliary boilers installed at its multiple sites. Energy performance of total twenty five (25) auxiliary boilers was analyzed and evaluated in terms of different indices, to examine their current performance and benchmark it with other boilers for potential improvements. Benchmarking also assessed overall steam and condensate systems. Opportunities for improvement were observed in areas of process optimization, best practices and CAPEX based energy efficiency initiatives. Benchmarking exercise revealed energy savings opportunities in flue gases excess oxygen optimization, make-up water management, energy recovery from pressure letdown stations, waste heat recovery and steam traps audits. Study also highlighted areas of improvement in performance monitoring encompassing metering, sustained optimization and continual improvement.