In November of last year Siemens Chromatography delivered a turnkey plant for Borealis in Schwechat, Austria. The project covered the primary and secondary sample preparation facilities, the process gas chromatographs including application and installation, training of the operator control personnel and preliminary and hot commissioning of the plant.  

The analysis block consists of a three-part container providing space for an air-conditioned analysis room and two sample preparation rooms covering a total area of 57 m2. The air-conditioning system, which for reasons of space is installed on the roof, is designed for use in zone 1 (in accordance with the Directive on installation in hazardous areas) and has fan motors to provide the necessary air exchange in the analysis room.

The project also covered an internationally certified safety system, including several gas alarm detectors. The system handles all safety-related measurements required by the analysis block, and is linked directly to the process control system.  

Less than six months passed between issue of the contract and installation of the finished analysis block on-site. Within that time a 14-day acceptance test of the complete plant was carried out in Karlsruhe in conjunction with staff from Borealis, from the engineering company Fortum Neste and from the Austrian TÜV (technical inspectorate).

The contract has since been extended to include three explosion-proof analysis cabinets with Oxymat and Ultamat.

Rudi Spinner, Karlsruhe

Process News March 00