- Shell's Pernis refinery commissioned a new SDA unit, the first major investment since 2011.
- The SDA unit processes heavy fuels into cleaner middle distillates, including marine gasoil compliant with IMO 2020.
- Construction used a modular approach with process modules built in China and integrated on site.
- Pernis converted its hydroprocessing unit into a Hydrocracker to process deasphalted oil from the SDA unit.
New SDA Unit at Pernis Refinery
Shell has commissioned a new solvent deasphalter (SDA) unit at its Pernis refinery, marking the first major investment at the site since 2011. This unit allows Pernis to convert a larger portion of its oil intake into cleaner transport fuels, including marine gasoil compliant with IMO 2020 regulations.
Enhanced Performance and Environmental Impact
The SDA unit improves the performance and competitiveness of the Pernis refinery while reducing the environmental impact of its product portfolio. It processes heavy fuels into clean middle distillates and increases crude flexibility, enabling the refinery to adjust operations to meet market demands and capture higher margins without affecting processing capacity.
Construction and Integration
Shell employed a modular construction approach for the new SDA unit, with process modules built in China and shipped to Rotterdam for integration on site. This method accelerated the project timeline and reduced costs. The unit was installed during scheduled maintenance to minimize operational disruptions.
Operational Efficiency
Shell's strategy focuses on capturing competitive margins by increasing intake and processing flexibility, as well as improving operational efficiency, reliability, and environmental performance. The Pernis team used simulators for training, ensuring a seamless transition from project delivery to commissioning.
Hydroprocessing Unit Conversion
As part of the project, Shell converted Pernis's existing hydroprocessing unit into a Hydrocracker to process deasphalted oil (DAO) from the new SDA unit. This conversion strengthens Pernis's position in Shell's downstream value chain, providing optionality for trading businesses connected to global markets.
Community and Environmental Contributions
Pernis contributes significantly to the Dutch and European economies and partners with the local community. Recently, the refinery and the City of Rotterdam began using residual heat from operations to heat 16,000 local homes, potentially reducing CO2 emissions by up to 35,000 tonnes per year.
