25/08/2016

The CLH Group has invested nearly 23 million euros in RDI projects over the last three years

  • The CLH Group has invested nearly 23 million euros in RDI projects over the last three years

 The company has completed two projects that have received qualification and approval from the Centre for the Development of Industrial Technology 

The CLH Group spent nearly 23 million euros between 2013 and 2015 on Research, Development and Innovation projects with the purpose of reinforcing its service quality and efficiency.

Among other initiatives, the company has completed two RDI projects that have obtained qualification and approval from the Centre for the Development of Industrial Technology (CDTI).

One of these consists of the design and implementation of new energy optimisation techniques to reduce energy consumption when moving oil products through the pipeline and, therefore, reduce CO2 emissions deriving from these activities.

To accomplish this initiative, CLH carried out a global investigation of consumption figures, including an analysis of the different fuel flows and routes through the pipeline network. These data were incorporated in a new mathematical model, which was already used by the company in operations management, making it possible to schedule pumping in a more efficient and optimised manner.

This project was completed with further development of the simulation tools that are applied by CLH to the programming of operations, in order to improve monitoring and control energy costs.

The second project to be qualified and approved by the CDTI is the analysis of new biological techniques for the environmental recovery of land affected by hydrocarbons. The company has analysed the development of new ways of cleaning land associated with the bioremediation technique, based on promoting the development of fuel-degrading microorganisms, which offer numerous advantages compared to other traditional methods, such as reduced consumption and acoustic impact and lower emissions.

CLH is also carrying out other Research and Development projects relating to the environment, such as the study of wastewater treatment through microbiological techniques, in cooperation with the University of Granada, and the project to calculate risk levels and bioremediation of bioethanol in the form of ETBE in groundwater, with the University of Malaga.

Moreover, the company has progressed in the design of a new SCADA system for its pipeline network. This information tool, which makes it possible to control and manage the company’s infrastructure via satellite, will refine data control and gathering processes.

In addition, CLH is finalising the development of a new leak detection and shipment tracking system, adapted to the needs of its activities, in order to integrate it in this new SCADA, which will enable the company to improve fuel transportation through its network.

The company is also implementing improvements in loading areas at its facilities by installing equipment that is more modern and efficient, which will therefore reinforce sustainability and safety in road tanker fuel loading processes.

CLH continues to work on the full implementation of the new Facility Control Centre and is currently strengthening the communications and monitoring at different plants through the installation of optic fibre, new security devices and cameras, so that they can be supervised remotely, thus reinforcing their safety and facilitating the management of the company’s activities.

Although the CLH Group does not produce or market fuels, it collaborates actively in their development. Therefore, the company participates in the Spanish initiative for promoting aviation biofuel and collaborates in ITAKA and NARA, the two main international projects aimed at assessing the possibilities of the use of biofuel in commercial aviation.

In addition, CLH has become a member of different entities aimed at assessing the implementation of new fuels from biomass (CATFINERY Project), waste (3R2020) and alternative sources, such as hydrogen (INHIBERA Project).

The company also cooperates with national and international entities and actively participates in Spanish and European working groups on fuel quality specifications, contributing with its teams and expertise on the matter.