Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd (MRPL) has achieved a remarkable feat by winning the ‘Best Innovation in Refinery’ award for the year 2022-23. This prestigious accolade was bestowed upon MRPL by the Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas during the 26th Energy Technology Meet 2023, marking the second consecutive year that MRPL has been recognized with this honor.
MRPL’s remarkable achievement was underpinned by a groundbreaking patent developed by their Research and Development (R&D) team. This patent introduces an energy-efficient hydrocarbon distillation process, a true milestone in the field of energy technology. This innovative process incorporates several pivotal components.
One of the key breakthroughs within the patent was the creation of a hydrocarbon gas composition capable of efficiently replacing energy-intensive stripping steam in the distillation process. This not only reduces energy consumption but also contributes significantly to environmental sustainability by minimizing resource usage.
Another critical element of the patent involves a method to elevate the dew point of the overhead vapor while using gas stripping. This ingenious technique enhances the efficiency of the distillation process, resulting in substantial energy savings.
The MRPL R&D team also introduced a technique to manipulate refinery gas streams to achieve the necessary stripping gas composition. This approach offers greater flexibility and control over the distillation process, further enhancing its energy efficiency.
The proposal for this groundbreaking innovation underwent rigorous evaluation, with the Centre for Higher Technology playing a pivotal role in the initial assessment. Subsequently, the distinguished Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC), comprising prominent scientists like Anil Kakodkar and representatives from esteemed institutions such as CSIR labs and IITs, conducted the final evaluation.
The ‘Best Innovation in Refinery’ award was presented to a team led by MRPL’s Managing Director, Sanjay Varma. This prestigious recognition ceremony took place at the Energy Technology Meet 2023, a significant event held in New Delhi. The Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri, had the honor of presenting the award to MRPL’s accomplished team.
MRPL’s award-winning innovation is expected to have a profound impact on the petroleum and petrochemical industry. The energy-efficient hydrocarbon distillation process not only promises to enhance the efficiency of refinery operations but also makes a significant contribution to environmental sustainability. It aligns with the broader global goal of reducing carbon emissions and adopting cleaner energy practices.