AXION Energy Revolutionizes Worker Training with VR at Campana Refinery, Best in Latin America in 2023 by the World Refining Association.
AXION Energy is transforming employee training by integrating virtual reality technology. This innovative resource enhances learning, resulting in safer and more efficient practices for operations and maintenance, and aligns with the commitment to environmental safety of the Campana Refinery, a benchmark in Latin America.
Furthermore, the adoption of virtual reality is a significant part of AXION Energy’s digital roadmap, which encompasses a range of cutting-edge technological solutions. This new training method is an essential complement to the use of VR and other technologies, such as augmented reality, which together promote an immersive and high-quality learning experience, raising standards of efficiency and safety in operations.
Presentation of Virtual Reality Integration
Buenos Aires, Argentina – July 17, 2024 – AXION Energy announced the introduction of virtual reality for employee training at the Campana Refinery, recognized in 2023 as the most advanced in Latin America. This innovative step aims to create immersive environments to address incidents in real-time, covering everything from tool selection to usage, significantly enhancing the learning experience of these workers. The development of this innovative system arises as a strategic initiative to leverage the potential of new immersive technologies and improve the quality of training for employees who are currently guided by the highest international standards to perform essential functions in the daily operation of the refinery.
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Advantages of Virtual Reality in Training
‘The incorporation of virtual reality into our training represents a significant advancement in innovating the education of our workers, as this technology allows us to simulate real and critical situations, providing an immersive experience and a unique practical edge’, stated Diego Mouriño, VP Downstream Operations at AXION Energy. Through a dedicated team, a 360 video recording was conducted throughout the AXION Energy refinery, offering a broad and authentic view of the interior of the facilities, replicating a scenario identical to the real one. The virtual space was enriched with useful information, frequently asked questions, and historical records of the refinery, allowing users to access real situations and learn the best practices to face them.
The refinery employs 230 workers in addition to supervisory personnel in rotating shifts. The training of new employees lasts from 3 to 6 months, depending on the complexity of the position. In this perspective, the technical helmets will allow training in unusual situations, such as starting complex compressors, maneuvering circuit alignments during shutdowns, and initiating units, challenging staff knowledge through simulation of control variables outside the operational window.
Safety and Qualification
‘Safety always comes first, so we are committed to providing the best training tools for our team. With the implementation of virtual reality systems, we further enhance the quality of our training and prepare our workers to face any contingency’, emphasized Diego Mouriño. Virtual reality systems are being introduced as part of a medium-term plan that includes the creation of between 7 and 10 annual exercises to enrich the model and deepen the training of workers. Among the next steps is the enabling of the multi-user function to allow collaborative work during simulations.
In 2023, AXION Energy’s Campana Refinery was recognized as the best of the year in Latin America by the World Refining Association, among 30 other competitors, during the Latin American Refining Technology Conference (LARTC) held in Rio de Janeiro. The award was based on the refinery’s good practices, commitment to the environment, and optimization of operations.
Implementation of Innovative Technologies
AXION Energy is constantly seeking technological innovations in its operations. One example of progress is the inclusion of augmented reality helmets in 2020 for maintenance work at the refinery, allowing specialists to connect and show live what they are seeing, in addition to exchanging information in real-time with technology centers worldwide. Current uses include Hygiene and Safety professionals performing task controls remotely, communicating in real-time with various workgroups about activities within the plant.
Another example of technology is the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the monitoring of compressors, pumps, furnaces, and reactors. This AI processes thousands of variables simultaneously, issuing early alerts to engineers and specialists, who can then take preventive actions to ensure the best performance of the plant, avoid shutdowns, and optimize production. The technology of digital twins is also applied in delayed coking chambers, monitoring performance and material stresses during each cycle, identifying improvement opportunities that extend the lifespan of the chambers and reduce the likelihood of incidents.
Energy and Productive Innovations
In terms of energy efficiency, the Campana Refinery developed software throughout 2023 that allows real-time analysis of the Energy Balance of the Refinery, providing recommendations to operational staff to reduce energy consumption, in addition to informing about the carbon emission savings resulting from each adjustment. This software is an innovative digital tool that continuously maintains the optimal energy balance of the refinery.
AXION Energy’s Campana Refinery holds 15% of the installed capacity in Argentina, with a 16% market share in fuels, being the only one in the country that produces ultra-low sulfur diesel. Its daily production capacity is 2,700 m³ of naphtha, 1,200 m³ of aviation fuel, and 6,500 m³ of middle distillates, among others. Additionally, it participates in the lubricants segment through the Castrol brand. AXION Energy’s advances in innovation and operational quality consolidate its leadership in the fuel sector. For more information, visit https://www.axionenergy.com/Paginas/visita-refineria.aspx.
Source: © ffrenquelli@ballero.com.ar

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