To enhance and update knowledge of teaching faculty and strengthen Industry Academia Interface, a three day workshop on “Simulation and Modelling in Process Industry” (Refineries & Petrochemicals Focus) was organized by Petroleum Federation of India jointly with Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) and Lovraj Kumar Memorial Trust (LKMT) from June 28-30, 2010 at HP Management Development Institute, Nigidi, Pune.  A study tour was undertaken to the HPCL, Mumbai Refinery on July 1, 2010.

Faculty members from twelve AICTE approved Engineering Colleges from the states of Maharashtra and Chattisgarh participated.  There was no participation fee and boarding and lodging was provided by HPCL.

Of the 15 lectures in three days, 12 were delivered by experts from Honeywell and three by HPCL.  Shri D. K. Deshpande, ED (HRD), HPCL in his inaugural address appreciated the initiative taken by PetroFed and LKMT in organizing the workshop and added that the refinery control room today has to handle a massive flow of information and simulators are necessary for monitoring performance.

Earlier, Shri R. S. Wagh, Principal, HPMDI Nigidi, HPCL in his welcome address, gave a brief on the institute and its activities while Shri Hemant Joshi, Head HPS-Marketing, Honeywell in his address said that 40% accidents occur due to human error and emphasized the need for precision simulators to improve safe operating limits. 

Shri S. L. Das, Director (BD & C), PetroFed elaborated on the background of the programme while Shri K. Srinivasan, GM (Technical), HPCL, in his valedictory address at HPCL’s Mumbai Refinery gave a history of the refinery and added that with stricter emission norms and upgradation of technologies and standards the operations were becoming increasingly complex. 

A vote of thanks was proposed by Shri S. L. Das.

The overall programme effectiveness was rated by participants at 89%.

Click here to view programme & presentations.