News Release Details
ISFL-2008: The Biggest Downstream Hydrocarbon Event concludes
New Delhi 12-Mar-2008
The three-day technical extravaganza-6th International Symposium on Fuels & Lubricants (ISFL-2008) - hosted by the Research & Development Centre of Indian Oil Corporation concluded in the capital today. Hailed as the biggest biennial event of the downstream hydrocarbon industry in the country, the event was inaugurated on 10th March 2008 by Mr. Dinsha Patel, Hon'ble Minister of State for Petroleum & Natural Gas, in the presence of Mr. Sarthak Behuria, Chairman, IndianOil, and Functional Directors. The theme of ISFL-2008 was 'Fuels and Lubricants: Evolving Trends for Sustainable Development', and was organised at the India Habitat Centre.
The prestigious event also coincided with the 37th Foundation Day of IndianOil’s R&D Centre. On the occasion, Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam, former President of India, delivered the Foundation Day address on 10th March. Shri S. Sundareshan, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, was the chief guest at the valedictory function held today.
Delivering the inaugural address on 10th March 2008, Mr. Dinsha Patel, Hon'ble Minister of State for Petroleum & Natural Gas, said, "In today's dynamic business environment, innovation through a sustained process of R&D is the only cutting edge tool for organisations to thrive and sustain their competitive edge. I hope this three-day Symposium will play an important role in addressing the immediate concerns of the downstream petroleum industry," he added.
At the inaugural function, Mr. Sarthak Behuria, Chairman, IndianOil, addressed the gathering and observed, "Energy security and sustainable development have quickly risen to the top of the global development agenda. If we don't act today, the growing energy demand will change everything about how we live." "The interdependent nature of the challenge of climate change necessitates an interdependent energy supply strategy. We need a stable and predictable domestic & international policy framework that can facilitate investment in energy sources with a strong R&D backup to ensure blossoming of low-carbon technologies", he remarked.
Speaking at the 37th Foundation Day function on 10th March 2008, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, hon’ble former President of India, urged the scientists, “Collaborate and jointly invest to accelerate R&D efforts in Bio-fuels". In an inspiring address, he reiterated his vision of energy independence and status of a developed nation for India. Quoting from his diverse and vast experience in the technology development area, he highlighted various thrust areas for research to achieve energy independence. Dr. Kalam also urged IndianOil to aim for a position within top 50 companies of the world by the year 2015. He advised the Team IndianOil-R&D to realign research in alternative fuel areas by increasing investments in R&D projects.
Speaking at the valedictory function held on 12th March 2008, Mr. S Sundareshan, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, said, “There is no single answer to the question of achieving energy security. A multi-pronged but coordinated approach of focused research is required in multi-disciplinary fields such as genetic engineering to develop robust and high oil yielding plant varieties for bio-fuels, affordable photo-voltaic cells, fuel cells, Hydrogen production, storage and use as an automotive fuel, etc., to give us viable menas to develop alternative sources of energy”.
<b>About ISFL-2008</b>
Sharing details about ISFL-2008, Mr. Anand Kumar, Director (Research & Development), IndianOil, said that the symposium showcased eminent speakers from India and abroad and had a gathering of 500 scientists and technologists representing 12 countries. He added that the experts mainly deliberated on the developments in the downstream hydrocarbon sector with special emphasis on latest technology options for alternative fuels, including biomass and biofuels; value additions to refinery processes; superior lubricants for compact, high-speed engines/machines and new norms for emissions being adopted in India and overseas. Besides technical sessions on various areas of lubricants technology, sessions were also held on the use of gaseous fuels like LPG & natural gas (CNG & LNG), Hydrogen (production, storage, transportation and applications, including fuel cells, etc.).
More than 140 authors from India and abroad had submitted their recent research findings for presentation in the symposium. Nine plenary talks on lubricant and refinery process technologies were held during the three-day event. A salient feature of the symposium was two panel discussions by renowned experts with delegates. A trade exhibition was also been arranged where exhibitors showcased latest advancements in diverse areas such as fuels, lubricants and refining.
Conceived and launched in 1997 by IndianOil's R&D Centre to commemorate its Silver Jubilee, the ISFL series of symposia has evolved to become the biggest biennial international event to showcase advancements in fuels and lubricants, and a major platform for technocrats of the downstream hydrocarbon and allied industries, scientists, engineers, researchers, academicians and policy-makers to exchange ideas and forge partnerships.
<b>About IndianOil’s R&D Centre</b>
IndianOil’s R&D Centre at Faridabad had its inception in the year 1972 with the basic objective of meeting the strategic needs of the Defense Services, especially in lubricants technology, Since then, the Centre has more than met these objectives, indigenising about 98% of the lubricant needs of the Defence Services. Overall, the Centre has developed more than 3,000 product formulations so far, accounting for over 600 SERVO brand lubricants and greases being marketed currently for every conceivable automotive and industrial application. IndianOil-R&D introduced many novel products like multigrade railroad, marine and aviation lubricants. IndianOil is also among the select league of six marine oil technology holders in the world.
Another major activity is research into refining processes and catalysis aimed at upgradation and optimisation of existing process technologies like fluid catalytic cracking (FCC), distillation, hydroprocessing, lube processing, reforming, coking, visbreaking, merox etc. and development of new process technologies for value addition and fuel quality up-gradation. IndianOil R&D had also played a stellar role in developing IndianOil’s branded fuels – Xtra Premium petrol and Xtramile diesel that have emerged as market leaders in respective segments.
Besides spearheading commercialisation of ethanol-blended petrol in the country, IndianOil’s R&D Centre has been at the forefront of technology development for Bio-diesel production from various edible and non-edible oils. It has perfected the entire value chain of Bio-diesel, starting from Jatropha plantation to field trials on passenger cars, light commercial vehicles and railway locos in collaboration with leading vehicle manufacturers, railways and state transport undertakings.
IndianOil’s R&D Centre is the nodal agency within the Indian oil & gas sector for implementation of the Hydrogen energy programme. Subsequent to commissioning India’s first experimental H-CNG dispensing unit, demonstration projects are underway on use of H-CNG blends in heavy and light vehicles. IndianOil is also setting up India’s first commercial H-CNG dispensing station at one of its petrol/diesel stations in Delhi this year.
IndianOil Technologies Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of IndianOil, is commercialising the innovations and technologies of IndianOil R&D, which currently has over 195 national and international patents in its portfolio.
