ABSTRACT
Hydrocracking is a refining process that converts gasoil into higher grade fuels. This complex process requires human supervision twenty-four hours, seven days a week and is high-risk; therefore, safety is a primary concern. Operators supervise this process in a control room using information presented through visual displays, visual alarms, and auditory alarms. They require access to information quickly, accurately, and in formats that support rapid decision-making. Using interviews, observations, and surveys we evaluated the visual displays used during hydro cracking to begin improving the displays. Petrochemical plants primarily use mimic graphic displays, which are diagrams of the physical plant with data values related to the process integrated into the schematic. There is no evidence to support that this format is best for providing situation awareness or decision-making support. Hundreds of displays and hundreds of alanllS are available to the operator during the process supervision. This paper summarizes our findings related to display issues that are relevant not only to hydrocracking but also to other refinery and chemical process systems.
