Described herein are systems and methods for control of an overhead crude section of a hydrocarbon refining process. In one aspect, the method comprises monitoring a plurality of operating conditions of an overhead crude section of a refinery; determining hydrogen chloride and amine conditions of the overhead crude section of the refinery at current operating conditions of the overhead crude section; determining a plurality of fields of action by simulating a variation of one or more of the plurality of conditions; determining a risk indicator of salting for each of the plurality of fields of action; and providing a recommended change in operation of the overhead crude section to one of the plurality of fields of action while adhering to one or more constraints.
