LyondellBasell optimizes refinery middle distillates production across multiple units with dynamic optimization application

Robert Confair was formerly an Advanced Process Control Engineer at LyondellBasell’s Houston refinery. He has worked in refining and chemical plant roles as a Process Engineer, a Process Design Engineer, an Equipment Team Lead and mostly as a Process Control Engineer. Confair has implemented several APC projects across multiple units, including implementing a few global optimizers. He earned a BS degree in chemical engineering from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in 1993, and is licensed as a Professional Engineer in the state of Texas.  

Melvin Berrios-Soto is a Product Marketing Manager at Emerson’s Aspen Technology business, specializing in process and control solutions. With more than 8 yr of experience in engineering and project leadership within the downstream industry, he helps customers improve production performance and reduce operational costs through the successful adoption of AspenTech control and optimization solutions. Berrios-Soto also leads the development of an active user community by organizing conferences and webinars to share best practices and gather feedback that shapes future innovations.