19/03/2024
Director (R&D) leads interaction between R&D and North-East Refineries
Mr Alok Sharma, Director (R&D), recently led the discussion between R&D Centre and north-east refineries, following up the 53rd R&D Foundation celebrations at Digboi Refinery. Senior officials from R&D, Refineries Headquarters (RHQ), Digboi Refinery, Bongaigaon Refinery and Guwahati Refinery participated in the meeting. Mr Sharma narrated the Indian energy scenario and spoke at length about the various areas being focused on by IndianOil. “Several Government mandates like - ethanol blending of 20% by 2025, CBG blending in existing natural gas networks starting from 2025-26, 1% SAF blending in aviation fuel from 2027, green hydrogen target of 5% from 2030, etc. are in place, and IndianOil should lead the technological solutions for meeting those mandates, where R&D can provide its best support.” As per the findings of the PPAC-led committee, India’s refining capacity is expected to move to 450 MMTPA by 2047, he said. While we continue to strengthen the existing core, our major focus should be on green technologies, particularly in north-east refineries, said Mr Sharma. Complimenting the support of north-east refineries on new technologies, Mr Sharma led the discussion on niche technologies like bio-refining, SAF production, advanced carbon materials, producing raw materials for batteries, electrolysers & fuel cells, speciality chemicals, Pyrolysis, membrane separation, etc., apart from new refining process technologies and catalyst. Further, the deliberations included several ongoing technological advancements such as the demonstration of mixed metal catalyst for naphtha isomerisation at Bongaigaon Refinery, co-processing of waste tyre & plastic pyrolysis oils in DCU of Guwahati Refinery, setting up bio-refining in identified refineries, digital twin for catalyst performance and remaining life assessment at Guwahati and Digboi Refineries. R&D technologies are also proposed for the expansion project of Bongaigaon Refinery. Director (R&D) said that the role of north-east refineries of IndianOil is monumental in implementing the technology solutions of R&D. He also called for close interactions between R&D and Refineries while commending the role of RHQ on this to materialise. The presentations and discussion by different teams were led by Mr D Bhattacharyya, ED (TIC), Dr M Sau, R&D; Mr S Sarkar, ED (O), RHQ, Mr Ajay Kaila, ED (T), Digboi Refinery and other senior officials from R&D, RHQ and north-east refineries. Director (R&D) was present throughout the programme and involved actively by providing the way forward and suggestions for further improvements and to speed up the execution of key projects. A detailed action plan was also prepared as part of the concluding session of the meeting. Earlier, Mr Kaila welcomed Mr Sharma and all the participants. He also thanked the R&D and RHQ for choosing Digboi Refinery as the venue for this high-level meeting. In the end, Dr Madhusudan Sau, ED (RT), R&D, proposed a vote of thanks with a special mention to Digboi Refinery for being a host.
