MRPL Receives ‘Best Innovation in Refinery’ Award for Second Consecutive Year

Coastal Karnataka-based MRPL, a subsidiary of Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), has once again clinched the prestigious ‘Best Innovation in Refinery’ award for the fiscal year 2022-23. The award was conferred by the Petroleum & Natural Gas Ministry of the Government of India, marking the second consecutive year of MRPL’s victory.

In a remarkable achievement, MRPL outshone industry giants like IOCL, BPCL, and HPCL, reaffirming its dedication to innovation and excellence in the refining sector. The award was presented at a distinguished ceremony graced by dignitaries including Rameswar Teli, Minister of State for Petroleum & Natural Gas and Labour & Employment; Pankaj Jain, Secretary of the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas (MoPNG); and Dr. Anil Kakodkar, Chairman of the Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC).

Key Factors Behind MRPL’s Success:

MRPL’s groundbreaking innovation that earned them this award revolves around an energy-efficient hydrocarbon distillation process. This process includes several patent-protected components, which are as follows:

1. Hydrocarbon Gas Composition: MRPL has developed a hydrocarbon gas composition capable of replacing energy-intensive stripping steam in the distillation process, reducing energy consumption and improving efficiency.
2. Overhead Vapor Dew Point Enhancement: They have devised a method to raise the overhead vapor’s dew point while utilizing gas stripping, a technique that contributes to improved refining processes.
3. Stripping Gas Composition Manipulation: MRPL’s innovation also involves a method to attain the necessary stripping gas composition by manipulating refinery gas streams, optimizing resource utilization and minimizing waste.

The proposal from MRPL’s Research and Development team underwent rigorous scrutiny, first by the Centre for Higher Technology (CHT) and subsequently by the eminent Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC), chaired by the distinguished Dr. Anil Kakodkar, a recipient of the Padma Vibhushan award. The SAC comprised other prominent scientists representing leading Indian institutions, including CSIR Labs and IITs.

This recognition underscores MRPL’s commitment to cutting-edge research and development, positioning the company as a trailblazer in the Indian refinery sector. By continuously pushing the boundaries of innovation, MRPL is not only enhancing its own operational efficiency but also contributing to the broader goal of sustainability and resource conservation in the petroleum and natural gas industry.