Tags:
Project Stories
Oil & Gas facilities are for HVAC systems among the most critical applications.
Here are the types of facilities according to their use in the production stream:
- Exploration facilities carrying out drilling activities.
- Upstream facilities dealing with the production and the stabilization of oil and gas.
- Midstream facilities for gas treatment, LNG production, and oil and gas pipeline systems.
- Refining facilities, where oil and condensates are processed into marketable products. Hence, gasoline, diesel or feedstock for the petrochemical industry.
- Petrochemical facilities producing plastics, fertilizers and industrial chemicals.
Those might be facilities with different aims, but all of them have the same needs:
- keeping critical processes running in the most efficient way
- ensuring workers well-being
To meet these needs, there are a few aspects consultants should consider when working on Oil & Gas facilities.
1 – VENTILATION
Oil & Gas facilities often face poor indoor air quality issues, due to the nature of their production processes. In fact, these fact these facilities can be very harsh environments for workers. So, it is necessary to take actions to provide a safe environment for plant personnel. That means there is a need for high quality air filtration to avoid safety risks for workers.
Addressing the indoor air quality is as easy as choosing the right Air Handling Units.
Click here to know more about how Daikin can help face this issue with its Air Handling Unit offering the highest level of filtration in the market.
2 - TEMPERATURE CONTROL
Since electrical equipment is usually more efficient than steam, oil refineries are mostly operated with electrical energy sources. So, to allow continuity of operations using less energy-consuming technologies, refineries may use electric substations as a power distribution hub for their operations.
Electrical Substations are another application where perfect temperature control is needed. A properly designed HVAC system can meet the need of this application helping control the temperature of critical equipment, then allowing the substation to work properly.
Daikin is not new to providing technology for this kind application. Find here an example of how Daikin technology successfully met the needs of electrical substation projects.
3 - ANTI-CORROSION COATINGS
Another important aspect related to designing HVAC systems for Oil & Gas facilities is the exposure of the equipment to corrosive environments.
Corrosion is a very common cause of failure in all those HVAC systems in potentially corrosive environments. We are talking about refineries, heavy industrial production areas and power generation facilities, which all release contaminants that can cause corrosion.
Corrosion usually affects heat exchangers and condenser coils, that can rapidly fail. So, to ensure the durability and reliability of the HVAC equipment, it is important to select the right protective coating.
Daikin offers a set of different options against corrosion: Blue-coat, Alucoat, E-coating and Blygold treatment. Click here to know more about each option.
4 - SYSTEM MONITORING AND CONTROL
Last but not least, there is the ability to effectively monitor and control, because Oil & Gas facilities might require the use of a complex HVAC systems. Therefore, being able to properly monitor and control those systems is key to guarantee continuity of operations and energy efficiency.
Daikin remote monitoring platform Daikin on Site can provide 24/7 real time data, all year round, tracking units behaviour and correct functionality. The platform allows to create periodical reports of the system performance. As a result of that, it helps trouble-shooting technical issues, both for chillers and air handling units’ plants.
As far as system controls for chillers, then, Daikin offers its factory-engineered system control technology iCM (Intelligent Chiller Manager). It is specifically designed to optimize the performance of groups of chillers. The iCM harmonizes the way groups of chillers operate, allowing them to reach their goal with minimum effort, both in terms of energy consumption and mechanically. All this translates into higher durability and efficiency, and generates operating and maintenance cost savings, other than an immediate ROI. Daikin iCM can also connects to Daikin on Site and is already integrated in the control logic of Daikin units. That means it doesn’t need further installations and does not imply any additional costs related to wiring.
Do you want to know more about Daikin solutions for oil and gas facilities? Get in touch!