Aníbal Galán (anibalsantiago.galan@uva.es)
ESR-M: Predictive simulation for operator decision support under uncertain conditions: a refinery hydrogen network case-study
Institution: University of Valladolid, Spain
Industrial partner: Petronor Refinery, Spain
Secondment: Carnegie Mellon University, USA
Supervisor: César De Prada
Education
I graduated as Chemical Engineer at Universidad de la República in Montevideo, Uruguay, in 2009. Later on, I studied an MSc in Renewable Energies Engineering at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, Scotland in 2015.
Work Experience
In 2006 I started working at “La Teja” Refinery in Uruguay as an intern/apprentice and by 2009 I gained an engineer position. I developed my career as refinery engineer there until July 2016. During that time I gained hands-on experience in the operation of:
• Sulphur Recovery Units
• Utilities systems (steam, compressed air, cooling water, MV/HV electricity, etc.)
• Hydrodesulphurisation Units
• Offsites (Tank farms, pump houses & water treating)
• Blending systems
Additionally, I familiarised with process simulation (SulSim, Hysys, HTRI) and optimisation techniques as decision support tools for projects and daily operation.
Current activities
Presently, I hold an ESR position at the University of Valladolid, in the framework of PRONTO project. My research thesis is on study and development of process predictive simulation and real time optimisation models and methods in a refinery hydrogen network.
My main goal in the long term is to keep bringing innovative solutions to the process industry in the fields of: optimisation, decision support systems, plant operation and process control. Additionally, I am interested in training courses and mentoring of younger professionals.