Smart technologies for a smart refinery

May 7th, 2021

From voice recognition to machine learning, ExxonMobil’s chemical and refining plants are installing a number of “smart technology upgrades” targeted at reducing emissions and increasing energy efficiency.

Driving energy efficiency with smart technologies

In particular, these technologies take aim at increasing energy efficiencies in manufacturing and have the potential to help ExxonMobil meet its 2025 emission reduction plans, a key step in aligning with the goals of the Paris Agreement.

Engineers and technology experts at ExxonMobil are applying the latest in assistance software, including artificial intelligence, to improve manufacturing efficiencies at the company’s chemical and refining plants. Similar to a driver turning on their GPS to navigate traffic or a homeowner using a smart thermostat to keep their home at the perfect temperature, plant operators at ExxonMobil’s Baton Rouge and Baytown refineries are piloting new, intelligent tools able to recommend more ideal operating conditions or isolate an improvement needed in their complex decision making. These advancements could decrease energy use and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Here are three advancements being developed or piloted around the world to revolutionize energy and chemicals production.

What’s that in the sky? Cognitive “Computer Vision” can tell us.

Imagine a computer program able to detect and reduce visible emissions, like particulate matter. Engineers have turned this bold idea into a reality with Cognitive “Computer Vision,” a program that provides chemical plant operators with the big data-powered ability to “see” and reduce visible emissions from flares by improving operating conditions. The technology will play a part in helping ExxonMobil reduce visible emissions from flares, as well as potential greenhouse gas emissions.

Meet Sofia, ExxonMobil’s Intelligent Operations Assistant.

Each day, smart assistant Sofia, Greek for “wisdom,” scours and analyzes vast quantities of data, things like crude oil production rate and plant unit pressure, to help refineries operate efficiently by producing more with less energy and hence reducing emissions in the process.

Powered by artificial intelligence (AI) and voice recognition software, Sofia supports operators in the control room by helping them optimize daily production of high value fuels and chemicals. As such, by asking Sofia some pointed questions, operators can locate a piece of equipment not functioning at its best, such as a distillation unit not operating at its optimal temperature. It can also detect opportunities to speed up production. And most importantly, Sofia is self-learning, meaning that the more it assists operators, the better and more sophisticated it becomes at answering their questions.

Follow the “SmartLane” Artificial Intelligence guide.

Manufacturing essential feedstock for products like face masks, surgical gowns and hand sanitizer require quick adjustments to maintain the optimal temperature and the speed of chemical reactions in real time. That’s why ExxonMobil engineers developed “SmartLane.” Much like a GPS guides drivers to the most direct route, while avoiding traffic slowdowns, so too does SmartLane – except instead of calculating routes, it shows operators the optimal levels of a chemical ingredient needed to manufacture a specific product. The result is an energy-efficient plant where consistently optimal operations can save energy and time, which ultimately have the potential to reduce ExxonMobil’s GHG emissions footprint as compared to current operations.

Cutting down global emissions will take a portfolio of innovations, including scaled up carbon capture and storage, lower emission biofuels and energy-efficient technologies. Smart devices like Computer Vision, Sofia and Smart Lane are part of this complex effort and are providing operators with the critical tools they need to do much more with much less energy. In doing so, these tools are becoming one more part of the solution energy-efficient manufacturing.

Learn more about how ExxonMobil is working towards an energy-efficient, reduced-carbon future.