RIL, Indian Institute of Petroleum develop benzene curbing technology

MUMBAI: Reliance Industries, along with Indian Institute of Petroleum (IIP) at Dehradun, has developed a technology which restricts benzene content in the gasoline pool to address the health and environmental concerns, the Mukesh Ambani-led company said on Monday.

Refiners across the world are under pressure to reduce the amount of benzene and other hazardous air pollutants. The indigenous Benzene Recovery Unit developed by RIL and IIP will restrict benzene content to 0.2 volume per cent (vol.-%) in raffinate (return stream to gasoline), the statement said.

"RIL carried out the construction and the 'flawless' commissioning of the BRU. On May 23 this year, the on-specification raffinate product (less than 0.2 vol.-% Benzene) was sent to storage for blending and sales," the statement said.

RIL's Jamnagar Refinery has two of the world's largest Fluid Catalytic Cracker (FCC) units. The light naphtha produced from these units is the major contributor of Benzene in the gasoline pool.

The release stated that RIL and IIP have received several enquires seeking licensing the technology.