off-sites

Shell’s refinery in Heide, Northern Germany has a long history, but operates efficiently to modern standards.

Since February 2006 the Shell Heide gasoline blender runs under BOSS control. Invensys was the main automation contractor (MAC) for this turn-key project and it's scope included not only the BOSS package, but also a NIR analyzer, a density analyzer and a sample handling system.

The NIR analyzer, an ABB FTPA2000, employs Shell’s own ‘Europe Model’ for the determination of the gasoline properties (octane, distillation points, aromatics, benzene, olefins). It gave very good results from day one.

BOSS offers a platform independent solution, with the blend ratio control in a Siemens PCS7 system. OPC links are employed for the connections between Siemens, BOSS and ABB. BOSS is fully integrated with the existing automation systems in the Heide refinery: LIMS (laboratory data); PHD (tank data) and iRIS (refinery information system).