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Shell Stanlow Oil Refinery

Leaving the comforts of our hostel in Cynwyd, we made our way to the Shell Stanlow Oil Refinery. As we approached the facility, we were greeted with a number of flashing signs with the message “Welcome Penn State,” a very welcomed sign for the foreigners that we were. After being escorted to a rather luxurious banquet room and having tea and crumpets, Trevor Stephenson, a Senior Scientist for Shell welcomed us and gave a rather extensive overview of the operations at this particular plant and how it related to the overall Shell company. The following are notes from his presentation:

• The corporate structure of Shell is run by three national branches: US, UK, and the Netherlands.
• Shell’s Global Mission: Add value to customers’ business.
• Vision: To be the world’s leading company in fuel technology advice.
• There are four items on Shell’s skill pool agenda: additives (quality, safety, and cost effectiveness), emissions (GHG, legislation, and air quality), refinery support, and future fuels development (Biofuels, emulsions, and hydrogen).
• At this locale, the following activities take place: additive testing, marketing of new fuels, advising legislators, grade transformation, failure diagnosis, and training.
• Shell must change its products to meet the needs of different geographic areas in the world. For example, in Pakistan, they simply strain the fuel for deposits while in areas where high performance vehicles are more common, fuels such as V-Power, Optimax, and Velocity are sold.
• Shell Motto: “We listen; we deliver…for discerning customers.”
• Shell puts a number of additives into its fuel including anti-corrosion, dehazer, detergent, carrier, and solvent (to control the boiling point).
• According to Stephenson, “Additives are what make the difference.”

After a tour of the laboratory facilities in which coloration and additives were the basis of their accomplishments, we went back to the lounge to listen to Adrian Groves, a graduate of chemistry from the University of Southampton. His presentation was centered on the problems, futures, and potential solutions of the current petroleum situation. The following are notes from his speech:

• The alternatives to excessive sulfur output are biofuels, LPG/CNG, gas-to-liquid processes (Natural gas to high quality diesel), and hydrogen.
• Sustainable Mobility—Reduce global and environmental impacts by:
• Cleaner hydrocarbon fuels
• Renewables—ethanol, vegetable esters
• Radical new technology—fuel cells, hydrogen
• In order to get cleaner hydrocarbons, one can use direct injection engines, three way catalysis, or EGR.
• Shell is shifting with the rest of the world towards concerns of Global Warming—by 2030, there is an expected 3 C increase in surface temperatures which may cause a rise in sea levels and a major climatic change.
• Timeline of vehicle futures—reformulation (Present), new fuels such as biofuels, improved vehicle efficiency, hybrid vehicles, fuel cells (2030).
• One major concern is the reduction of sulfur in emissions. However, the mandatory introduction of sulfur-free vehicles is premature.
• There is potential for static buildup from reduced conductivity.
• There is also the likelihood of poor fuel stability from reduced anti-oxidancy.
• During testing, cars without any sulfur in their fuel break down.
• Why introduce biofuels?
• Reduce CO2
• Low concentration of blends can be used in existing technology.
• Income in rural areas.
• May have beneficial properties such as low sulfur and lubricity.
• Shell is the largest producer of biofuels out of all companies.

After Mr. Groves’ presentation, we were invited to have lunch with several senior scientists and a handful of newly employed members of the Shell Stanlow team. Overall, our visit to Shell was English hospitality at its best.

For the rest of the day, we split up into two groups; one going to Chester and another visiting Baywind’s Harlock Hill Wind Farm.

Harlock Hill Wind Farm

Although quite foggy, as soon as we arrived at the meadow we could hear the presence of the large turbines churning in the air above us. Although not horribly loud, the constant vibrations created by the turbines could possibly be a factor in discerning whether such wind farms would be able to be placed in densely populated areas.

Baywind is the first UK co-operative to own wind turbines. The concept was based upon successful Swedish co-operatives. The costs, however, are exceptionally high; 1.9 millions pounds had to be raised in two share offers between 1996 and 1998 to fund the materials and installation of the turbines. Luckily, shareholders do receive a 20% tax refund on their initial investment under the government’s Enterprise Investment Scheme. Baywind currently owns six wind turbines in Cumbria; five of them being stationed at Harlock Hill.

Every year Harlock Hill Wind Farm will produce enough clean electricity to meet the average need of around 1,300 homes. This farm is a 2.5 MW wind farm and consists of five Wind World Turbines, each rated at 500 kW.