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Grimley Smith Associates Renewables Expert will be delivering a presentation to IChemE's Hull branch on the 18th March. Steve Whitehead (FIChemE, CEng) will be discussing the ways of maximizing the value of bio-glycerol from biodiesel production. GSA are the nominated supplier of process engineering services to Greenergy on Immingham Dock. The site produces over 200,000 te of product a year, making it one of the largest biodiesel production facilities in the UK.

Steve Whitehead has over 25 years of experience in the chemical and renewable industries; Steve has actively developed new products, technologies and processes for numerous operators around the world. At GSA (Grimley Smith Associates) Steve manages the design, operations and debottlenecking projects at the largest biodiesel production facility in the UK (Greenergy on Immingham Dock at 200 te). Steve has assisted the client to develop new processes and technologies to increase the flexibility and economics of the site.

The event will hosted at the Hotel Elizabeth, North Ferriby at 18:00, starting 18:30. Register your interest in attending by calling Clare Sanders on 01788 534457 or by visiting IChemE's website. IChemE's Hull branch host a rolling programme of events throughout the year. If you want to support the group's activities or want to learn more about the membership; Click here

Grimley Smith Associates (GSA) Consultant Process Engineers continually aim to promote the projects we are involved in. To support the activities of one of our clients (px Limited), GSA recently included an advert and article in Energy Digital. A copy of this article can be found by clicking here (page 104).

Operating & maintenance provider, px Limited operate and maintain Greenergy's Biodiesel production facility on Immingham Dock. The site produces over 200,000 tones of product a year making it the largest biodiesel production facility in the UK. GSA provide onsite support and process engineering services to px Limited acting as an extension to their own engineering department. GSA Engineers have assisted px Limited in increasing the capacity, improving the overall efficiency and the flexibility of individual process units. Following the work GSA Engineers have done on site, the plant can now process a wider range of feedstocks, dramatically improving the economic performance of the site. GSA continues to enjoy a close working relationship with px Limited.

To support the development of GSA's new Business Development Team, an article was recently included in the Grimsby & Scunthorpe Telegraph Business Supplement. A copy of this article can be accessed by clicking here (page 14).

For further communication please contact Paul Lawrence on 01652 601581. For sales enquires please contact Andrew Read on 07769167733.

Grimley Smith Associates (GSA) Consultant Process Engineers in North Lincolnshire have recently been awarded a contract to design a unique biorefining technology centre for Yorkshire Forward.

Mike Smith Managing Director for GSA said "GSA are delighted to have won this unique contract from Yorkshire Forward. The technology centre will be the first of its kind in the UK, being able process a wide range of bio-feedstocks through biorefining and extraction. Delivering such a project for Yorkshire Forward places GSA at the forefront and cutting edge of biorefining technology in the UK."

The biorefining technology centre will give companies and academic institutions an opportunity to trial their product and process technology converting feedstocks and waste streams into useful biodegradable products and renewable transport fuels and energy. It will offer companies a platform and facility to scale-up their operations from the laboratory to a full scale pilot plant operation. The centre will enable companies to build their knowledge and understanding of the economies of scale and feedstock requirements for particular process units and technologies - a vital element when designing and commissioning process operations and delivering products for customer trials.

The Government's Industrial Biotechonology team are striving towards a greener future with greener jobs. Industrial biotechonolgy and biorefining is at the heart of the governments drive for new industrial opportunities potentially delivering new long term employment also helping the UK work towards a sustainable future. Yorkshire Forward sees an opportunity to support these emerging industries, positioning the region at the forefront of these new technologies and knowledge of the processes. The Yorkshire and Humber region is already home to a large number of process operators, building upon the success of these industries is a key business opportunity for the area going forward.

Mike said "The use of biorefining technology has been known in the process industry for a number of years. This innovative technology could deliver numerous benefits – converting waste streams into useful bio–degradable products and renewable transport fuels. This could also help cut the amount of waste we send to landfill and CO2 released into the atmosphere. The proposed technology centre will help build the regions knowledge and experience in processing this material making sure the feedstock requirements are fully understood before a full scale biorefining operation is commissioned – with an estimated capital cost of £1 billion upwards."

Mike said "GSA have over 17 years of experience in designing and performing feasibility studies for a wide range of clients worldwide. We are really pleased to be awarded such a prestigious contract locally – the 'buy local' principal has certainly been applied here."

Grimley Smith Associates (GSA) Consultant Process Engineers will be supporting, attending and exhibiting at a number of events over the coming months. These will include:

8th & 9th October 2009 Bottom of the Barrel Conference
Athens, Greece, Hilton Hotel
GSA will be hosting an exhibition stand at the event.

9th October 2009, Humber Energy Institute Dinner
Cleethorpes, UK

8th to 10th October 2009, EBEC Conference
Warwickshire.
GSA will be hosting an exhibition stand and presentation at the event.

22nd October 2009, Process Safety Leadership Conference
CATCH, North East Lincolnshire

18th Nov 2009 Humber Estuary Conference
Country Park Inn, Hessle Foreshore - Click here for further information.

We also hope to be attending IChemEs Hazards Conference (9th to 12th November) and HazardsEx Conference (24th & 25th Feb 2010). As exhibitors we can sometimes access discounted attendance rates for these conferences. If you are a client and want to attend please contact our Marketing Co-ordinator Paul Lawrence 01652 601581.

Grimley Smith Associates Ltd (GSA) Consultant Process Engineers in North Lincolnshire have been continuing to invest in growth despite the recession. GSA have always gained business & projects locally, but over recent years GSA have seen significant growth in areas such as Venezuela, Iran, Iraq and Middle East. These projects have resulted in over £5 billion worth of assets in 2009 alone.

Michael Grimley, Business Development Director said "GSA have built up a good working relationship with some of the major process manufacturers locally such as PX Limited, BP Exploration, Synthomer and Corus. But as a company GSA have seen significant growth in business further afield. At GSA's inception in 1992, we never imagined we would be managing major process engineering projects in the Middle East and Central America."

Unlike other process engineering companies across the UK, GSA are continuing to recruit senior members of staff with the hope of increasing the capability of their core team. Michael went on to say "In order for GSA to service new projects, we are hoping to increase the size of our core team and strengthen core competencies for the future. As an employer, GSA are one of the largest employers of Chemical Engineers in the region."

GSA have also been developing a competency in deep refinery residue, complementing the unique technology for metals recovery owned by its sister company GSA Environmental (GSAE). Following a successful design and execution project, GSAE originally had a production plant in Harwich. GSAE are now in detailed negotiations with a number of partners with the hope of bringing this pilot plant to the Humber region, investing in further technology and intellectual property. The plant will be a scaled-up demonstration plant for prospective clients worldwide.

Michael elaborated further "GSA are proud to be a member of Humber Chemical Focus and service provider to industry along the Humber Bank. The next few years will see GSA not only continue to grow but also become a process operator, developing its own unique technology and intellectual property".

Click here to view the Chemical Supplement online

Grimley Smith Associates Ltd (GSA) Consultant Process Engineers in North Lincolnshire, successfully assisted Petroplus to re-configure an existing distillation column at their Coryton refinery to reduce the Reid Vapour Pressure (RVP) of their gasoline. Petroplus can now allow the addition of bioethanol to help meet the requirements of the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO).

The presence of bioethanol in the gasoline pool increases the RVP. Petroplus determined that it had to lower the RVP back to its sales specification. The amount of C4 hydrocarbons in the gasoline pool had to be reduced for the summer months.

GSA were commissioned to perform a design review to assess the feasibility of using an existing propylene splitter column as a debutaniser in the summer months, reverting back to its original duty during the winter. Calculations and simulations were carried out to rate the column and its ancillary equipment for the new process.

The drag stream from the C4 Isomerisation Unit was historically sent directly into the gasoline blending pool but now it can be fed into the column in 'de-butaniser' service. This stream mainly contained C4s with a small percentage of C5s. In the column most of the C4s are now separated overhead and routed back to a C4 storage spheres, with the C5s now being allowed to proceed to the gasoline blending pool. The reduction in C4s in the gasoline blending pool helped decrease the RVP of the fuel, assisting Petroplus meeting its gasoline sales specification after ethanol blending.

As process designers, GSA were responsible for the simulations, design review, piping routes, P&IDs, control philosophy, Hazop study and operating procedures. GSA worked alongside Petroplus engineers to ensure the process operated with the new duty in a safe and energy efficient manner. The design work included assessments and modifications to the column, its ancillary equipment, piping routes and associated control system.

The column was commissioned in July 2009 and is operating well within design expectations. Petroplus Coryton Refinery Technology Manager, Graeme Mean, said "GSA's input to this project has been very valuable. They have provided technical assurance and operated as an effective extension to our own Process Engineering department. Their performance has assisted the refinery to meet a strategic goal of being able to meet the RTFO requirements on time and to budget. I look forward to working with them again."

For further Media Enquires please contact Paul Lawrence, Marketing Co-ordinator (+44) 01652 601555