PREVENTING OPERATOR ERRORS WHEN PERFORMING WORK AT A CATALYTIC CRACKING UNIT BY DEVELOPING AN INTERACTIVE TRAINING FORM

Currently, catalytic cracking continues to be a widely used process in the petroleum industry, as it is the primary method for processing various petroleum fractions, including heavy distillates, into more valuable gasolines and other products suitable for use as motor, diesel, boiler fuel, feedstock for petrochemical production, and for rubber product production. In order to comply with the requirements of ISO 9001 and due to technological process development, increasing its complexity and dynamics, the requirements for fuel quality are also increasing. Due to the hazardous and harmful properties of the raw materials and products obtained at the catalytic cracking unit, the problem of ensuring safety during work at such a unit requires increased attention. Compliance with industrial safety requirements during operation of catalytic cracking units is especially important, since neglect of safety rules and various deviations from the regulated operating mode of the unit may result in an accident with human victims and significant destruction. The occurrence of accidents caused by such a Human Factor as ineffective production control, violation of process modes, lack of testing, violation of safety regulations and fire safety rules, emphasizes the need to find new solutions to improve safe operation of the unit. In this regard, special attention is paid to the use of new technologies that can improve the competence of operators when performing production operations at the workplace and minimize the risks of accidents. The paper considers a detailed concept of a simulator for safe operation of the unit to train catalytic cracking operators to safe work. The study is based on the analysis of statistical data on the number of accidents at such units and the main causes of their occurrence. The authors of the article propose a method for increasing the safe operation of a unit at a plant by developing their own model of a simulator for practicing the skills of trouble-free operation of a catalytic cracking unit.