Improve refinery profitability by processing low-value streams in a diesel hydrotreater

Pradyut Kumar Dhar is a research officer in the HPCL R&D hydroprocessing group. His experience includes the commissioning of isotherming technology at the HPCL Mumbai refinery, and his areas of interest include process intensification and technology development in the area of hydroprocessing. Mr. Dhar completed his B.Tech degree in chemical engineering from Jadavpur University, Kolkata, India and an M.Tech degree in chemical engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kanpur, India, where he was awarded an Academic Excellence Award in 2011.

Ganagalla Srinivasa Rao is a senior research officer in the HPCL R&D hydroprocessing group. His areas of expertise included hydroprocessing, lube oil processes, etc. Mr. Rao earned his B.Tech degree in chemical engineering from the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Warangal, and his M.Tech degree in chemical engineering from the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore.

Chelliahn Bennet is deputy manager at the HPCL Green R&D Center in Bangalore. He has 11 years of experience in research, process design and development, modeling and simulation in hydroprocessing, catalytic reformers and isomerization. He earned a B.Tech degree from the University of Madras and an M.Tech degree with a gold medal from Anna University in Tamil Nadu, India.

Peddy V. C. Rao is the deputy general manager of the HPCL Green R&D Center. He has more than 25 years of research experience in petrochemicals, petroleum/refining processes, catalysis, crude assay and compatibility, product/process development, biofuels and bio and synthetic lubricants, resid upgrading, alternate fuels and analytical sciences. Dr. Rao is responsible for development and commercialization of different products and processes. He holds more than 26 patents, both in India and abroad, and has published 78 research papers in international journals. He holds a PhD in chemical sciences from the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay.

N. V. Choudary holds a PhD in physical chemistry and has over 30 years of experience in R&D in petroleum refining, petrochemicals and alternate fuels. He is the general manager of the HPCL Green R&D Center, with responsibilities for the development and commercialization of more than 20 patented products and processes. He holds over 90 patents both in India and abroad, as well as 85 research papers in international journals and four book chapters to his credit. He is fellow of the Indian National Academy of Engineers. Dr. Choudary’s research interests include petroleum refinery processes, petrochemicals, catalysis, adsorptive separations, biofuels and alternate energies.

G. Valavarasu leads the hydroprocessing group as senior manager at the HPCL Green R&D Center. He holds a PhD degree in chemical engineering from Anna University, Chennai, and has more than 20 years of R&D experience in different petroleum refining processes, such as hydroprocessing, reforming, isomerization, lube oil, upgrading, etc. He has produced 45 research publications and presentations in several international journals and conferences. Dr. Valavarasu is responsible for building the state-of-the-art hydroprocessing lab at Bangalore, as well as its micro-reactors and pilot plants. His research led to the commercial application of several processes in the refinery.

G. V. Madhav is deputy manager at the HPCL Visakhapatnam refinery. He has more than nine years of experience in operations and technical services in the areas of DHDS, DHT, CCR and SRU. He earned a B.Tech degree in chemical engineering from the Gokaraju Rangaraju Institute of Engineering and Technology at Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University in Hyderabad.

A. T. Naidu serves as chief technical manager at the Visakhapatnam refinery. He has extensive experience in the operations and technical services of multiple refinery units.

Gandham SriGanesh is executive director at the Visakhapatnam refinery and has been associated with HPCL since 1982 in various capacities in the operations and technical divisions of both the Visakhapatnam and Mumbai refineries. He has handled capacity expansion and fuel quality upgrading projects at both refineries. Mr. SriGanesh has experience in conversion processes and has worked at with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) for two years in connection with an FCCU operation. He has published and presented several technical papers in national and international forums, and he headed HPCL corporate R&D until 2014. Mr. SriGanesh earned a B.Tech degree in chemical engineering from the University College of Technology at Osmania University in Hyderabad.