PTQ Q2 2026 Issue

column operation. The achieved annual energy cost savings of approximately INR 15 crores also translate directly into proportional CO₂ emissions reduction, supporting near- term decarbonisation objectives. Beyond the immediate economic and environmental ben - efits, this work highlights a broader paradigm for refinery energy optimisation, wherein feed composition-driven oper- ational adjustments during crude transitions offer substan - tial zero Capex savings opportunities. The demonstrated approach is broadly applicable to other energy-intensive separation systems, including debutanisers, depropaniser units (Gascon section), and related refinery and petrochem- ical columns, where pressure and reflux optimisation can be similarly leveraged. References 1 Valavarasu, G., Sairam, B. Light naphtha isomerization process: a review. Petroleum Science and Technology, 31(6), 2013.

technologies, including FCC, isomerisation, dimerisation, and etherifica- tion. Saravanan holds an MTech from NIT Tiruchirappalli and 55 patents. Dr Indranil Roy Choudhury is a General Manager at IOCL R&D Centre, heading the process modelling and technical services division. With more than 25 years of experience in the downstream hydrocarbon sec- tor, he is a recognised expert in FCC and hydroprocessing technologies. Choudhury holds a PhD from the University of Ghent and has numerous publications and patents to his credit. Srajan Gupta is a Process Manager at IOCL’s Mathura Refinery, spe- cialising in process optimisation and energy efficiency. A chemical engi- neering graduate from NIT Jalandhar, Gupta focuses on hydrogen and steam management, isomerisation performance, and refinery energy conservation. Bandish Soni is a refining and petrochemical professional with more than 20 years of experience in operations, commissioning, and perfor- mance monitoring. He has managed four polypropylene trains and led refinery planning and MS block operations to enhance GRM. Currently, Soni oversees polymer complex monitoring and expansion projects.

2 Cusher, N. UOP Penex Process. Meyers, R. A. (Ed.). Handbook Of Petroleum Refining Processes. McGraw- Hill, 2004. Mohammad Sirajuddin is a Research Manager in the Process Modelling divi- sion at the IOCL R&D Centre. He has more than eight years of experience in kinetic model development and pro- cess optimisation for delayed coker and isomerisation technologies. Sirajuddin holds a BTech from ICT Mumbai and an MTech from IISc Bangalore. S.K. Shabina is the Chief Research Manager of the Process Modelling division at the IOCL R&D Centre. She has more than 20 years of experience, developing proprietary models and opti - mising hydroprocessing technologies. Shabina holds an MTech in chemical engineering from IIT Madras. G. Rajasekhar Varchasvi is Sr Research Manager at IOCL R&D Centre, respon- sible for services to refineries primarily related to catalyst evaluation. Varchasvi has 16 years of experience and holds an MTech in chemical engineering from IIT Kharagpur. Manoj Kumar Bhuyan is a Process Engineer at the IOCL R&D Centre. He has 19 years of experience, evaluating FCC/RFCC catalysts/additives, provid- ing technical services to FCC units, and commercialising indigenous technology. Bhuyan holds a Master’s in chemical engineering from IIT Kharagpur. S. Saravanan is a Deputy General Manager at the IOCL R&D Centre. He has more than 20 years of experience and specialises in the development and commercialisation of indigenous refining

PTQ Q2 2026