21 & 22 October 2024

The Orchid Mumbai

5
th
edition
BRINGING TOGETHER THE
GLOBAL DISTILLATION EXPERTISE

www.distillationconclave.com
Sponsors & Partners
TITLE SPONSORS

EXHIBITOR

MEDIA PARTNERS

ORGANIZER
Title Sponsor

Sulzer is a global leader in fluid engineering and chemical processing

applications. We specialize in energy-efficient pumping, agitation, mixing,
separation, purification, crystallization and polymerization technologies for fluids
of all types. Our solutions enable carbon emission reductions, development of
polymers from biological sources, recycling of plastic waste and textiles, and
efficient power storage. Our customers benefit from our commitment to
innovation, performance and quality through our responsive network of 180
world-class manufacturing facilities and service centers across the globe. Sulzer
has been headquartered in Winterthur, Switzerland, since 1834.

When superior chemical processing and separation technologies matter most, we

enable our customers to operate world-class plants and produce high value
products.

The Chemtech division is the global market leader in innovative mass transfer,
static mixing and polymer solutions for chemicals, petrochemicals, refining and
upstream. We are steering the way in ecological solutions such as bio-based
chemicals, polymers and fuels, recycling technologies for textiles and plastic as
well as carbon capture and utilization/storage, contributing to a circular and
sustainable economy. Our solutions ranges from process components to
complete process plants and technology licensing.

Key Contact Information:

Contact Person: Mr. Dinesh Gupta, Head Business Development

Email: [email protected]
Phone: +91 9552585910; +91 2137 304 742
Website: https://www.sulzer.com/en/
Title Sponsor

Shell is a global group of energy and petrochemical companies with more than
90,000 employees in more than 70 countries. Shell has expertise in the
exploration, production, refining and marketing of oil and natural gas, and the
manufacturing and marketing of chemicals. We use advanced technologies and
take an innovative approach to help build a sustainable energy future. We invest
in power, including from renewable sources such as wind and solar. We also
invest in electric vehicle charging and low-carbon fuels for transport, such as
advanced biofuels and hydrogen. Projects & Technology is projects execution and
technology engine of Shell. Distillation R&D fits within downstream technology
organization of P&T

Key Contact Information:

Contact Person: Mr. Rajeev Narayan, Team Lead - Distillation R&D and Light Ends,
Downstream Primary Processes, Shell Projects & Technology
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +91 - 7349797588
Website: https://www.shell.in/
Exhibitor
BOARD OF RADIATION & ISOTOPE TECHNOLOGY

Online Diagnostic Solutions for

Process Industries
MAJOR TECHNIQUES
Column Scanning
Gamma scanning provides real time picture on tray damages, missing trays,
down comer condition, liquid level on tray, flooding, entrainment, foaming,
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deposition, liquid distributor condition and any other blockages or damages

Leak Detection
If a leak is suspected in a series of heat exchangers, radiotracer technique can be
applied to identify the leaky one. It helps to reduce the maintenance cost,
downtime of the plant as well as comply with the standards.
Leakages in the underground pipelines can be pinpointed using radiotracer PIG
method. It helps to prevent product loss and avoids environment pollution.

CONTACT US

www.britatom.gov.in 022-27887312/7306 Navi Mumbai-400703

Board of Radiation & Isotope Technology (BRIT) is a unit of Department of

Atomic Energy, Government of India. It is primarily involved in the production and
distribution of radio-isotope based technology, products and services for the
societal benefit. We offer widest range of online industrial diagnostic services to
obtain a clear information on the internals of the process equipment e.g., column,
vessel, pipe, bends, heat exchanger, reactor-regenerator system etc.

Our innovative radiation techniques are helpful to maintain a better productivity,

efficiency & safety as well as it allows refinery officials to take important decisions
regarding shutdown, troubleshooting & optimization which delivers huge
economic benefits. BRIT has the access of vast R&D activities and with the
immense experience in the field, we can provide solutions for any specific
problem.
Media Partners

Chemical Industry Digest is India’s leading chemical and engineering monthly known for its
qualitative content with practical relevance for process industries. It features articles and write-
ups on current developments, state-of-the-art technologies, equipment design, plant
operations, maintenance, energy management, environment, and safety. Chemical Industry
Digest also includes news features, company profiles, and mini directories of equipment
manufacturers and service providers making it very engaging. The journal readership includes a
very targeted top technical audience who influence decisions; from engineers, scientists and
technical personnel in top management to the plant level. Industries covered are oil & gas,
refineries, petrochemicals, fertilizers and agrochemicals to drugs & pharma, fine chemicals,
colorants, EPC & equipment manufacturers, etc. For more information, visit
http://www.chemindigest.com
T: +91 22 26733324 / 67410758
E: [email protected]

DIGITALREFINING.COM is the refining, gas and petrochemical processing industries reference

library of choice, providing a constantly growing database of technical articles, company
literature, product brochures, videos, industry news, events and company information.
http://www.digitalrefining.comPTQ is the authoritative magazine covering process technology
developments in the refining, gas and petrochemical industries. Each issue of PTQ carries in-
depth technical feature articles from around the world charting experiences under operating
conditions in improving production or safety or meeting environmental targets. It is the practical
and detailed nature of these articles that makes PTQ required reading for engineering decision
makers. For more information, visit http://www.eptq.com

Worldoils is a company that combines the power of marketing as well as the in-house expertise
for the Oil, Gas, Offshore and the Maritime industries. Worldoils' web portal www.worldoils.com
has become a truly central platform for visitors who need information regarding oil and gas
products and services, research, training, conferences, news and events as well as a popular
advertising base for providers of Oil, Gas, Marine and Offshore services. Worldoils has also
launched the jobs system and a marketplace. In the recent months, Worldoils has strengthened
its position as a fast developing central place for buying and selling of land rigs, offshore rigs,
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For more information visit www.worldoils.com
THREE TEN INITIATIVE
TECHNOLOGIES LLP

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About
Distillation Experts Conclave
The Distillation Experts Conclave (Di.Ex), organized by Three Ten Initiative
Technologies LLP, aims to bring together global distillation experts in the South Asian
region. It offers a platform for professionals in the chemical, petrochemical, refining,
oil & gas, and pharmaceutical industries to collaborate and share knowledge.
Following the success of the first four editions, the fifth Di.Ex will be held in Mumbai in
2024, continuing its legacy of fostering technical discussions and industry insights.

The conclave gathers participants from both public and private sectors, including
licensors, engineering firms, manufacturers, and research organizations. It addresses
region-specific challenges such as process design, optimization, project execution,
incident investigations, and troubleshooting. Di.Ex remains focused on the evolving
needs of the distillation community, offering a unique opportunity for professionals to
exchange expertise and address the industry's most pressing issues.

Advisory Committee

A T Naidu Chaitanya Kulkarni Ranjit Hirode

Executive Director, RCD Associate Manager Technologist - Distillation & Light Ends
Hindustan Petroleum Corp. Ltd. Sulzer Shell Projects & Technology

S Ratheesh Sandeep Yadav

Senior Manager, Process Technology Process & Application Leader
Bharat Petroleum Corp. Ltd. Koch Engineered Solutions
Session Themes
Session

1 Distillation Masterclass

Research, Fundamentals, and New

2 Technologies - I

3 Revamps - I

4 Process Control, Safety, and Digitalization - I

5 Mass Internals - I

6 Mass Internals - II

7 Process Diagnostics

8 Process Control, Safety, and Digitalization - II

9 Revamps - II

Research, Fundamentals, and New

10 Technologies - II
Conference Agenda
Day 1 - Monday 21 October 2024
All times are in IST (GMT +5.5 hours)

9:00 - 9:15 Opening Remarks by Three Ten Initiative Technologies LLP

Keynote: Innovations in Distillation: Shaping the Future

9:20 - 9:40
Ranjit Hirode - Shell India Markets Pvt. Ltd.

Distillation Masterclass #Chemical/Oil&Gas

Session 1
(9:45 - 10:45) - Useful Rules of Thumb in Distillation
9:45 - 10:45
Henry Kister, Fluor

10:45 - 11:15 ☕︎ Morning Coffee & Networking Break

Session Theme: Research, Fundamentals, and New Technologies - I
(11:15 - 11:35) - Isomer Separation #Chemical
Pramil Anand, Aarti Industries Ltd.
Session 2
(11:35 - 11:55) - Decarbonization with VoltaSplit™ Electrified Distillation #Chemical/Oil&Gas
11:15 - 12:15
Vito Sangiorgio, Sulzer
(11:55 - 12:15) - Distillation R&D at Shell #Chemical/Oil&Gas
Ranjit Hirode, Shell

12:15 - 12:30 Session 2 Panel Discussion

12:30 - 13:30 🍽 Lunch & Networking Break

Session Theme: Revamps - I
(13:30 - 13:50) - Mitigating Fouling in Crude Distillation Columns: A Case Study on the Application of
SUPERFLUX® tray® Trays in the Kerosene Section #Oil&Gas
Sandeep Yadav, Koch Engineered Solutions India Pvt. Ltd.
Session 3 (13:50 - 14:10) - Successful Revamp of a Heat Pumped PP-splitter Enabling a Change from Chemical
13:30 - 14:30 to Polymer Grade Propylene at Higher Feedrate #Chemical/Oil&Gas
Dr. Peter Wilkinson, Sulzer
(14:10 - 14:30) - Optimal Asset Utilization by Integrating the Units on Various Operational Strategies
and Increased Productivity. #Oil&Gas
Rajat Gandhi, Hindustan Petroleum Corp. Ltd.

14:30 - 14:45 Session 3 Panel Discussion

Session Theme: Process Control, Safety, and Digitalization - I

(14:50 - 15:10) - Propylene Tower Case study using Column Targeting Analysis #Chemical
Session 4 Harshita Darlapudi, Reliance Industries Ltd.
14:50 - 15:30 (14:10 - 15:30) - Beyond Traditional Methods: Optimizing Amine Regenerator Column Relief
Calculations #Oil&Gas
Ayan Dasgupta, Fluor India Pvt. Ltd.

15:30 - 15:40 Session 4 Panel Discussion

15:40 - 16:10 ☕︎ Afternoon Coffee & Networking Break

Session Theme: Mass Transfer Internals - I
(16:10 - 16:30) - Enhancing Vacuum Tower Performance with PROFLUX® Grid Technology: A Case
Session 5 Study #Chemical/Oil&Gas
16:10 - 16:50 Zack Bondley, Koch Engineered Solutions
(16:30 - 16:50) - The Path to High Capacity in Separations Technology #Chemical/Oil&Gas
Ashraf Lakha, RVT Process Equipment

16:50 - 17:00 Session 5 Panel Discussion

Conference Agenda
Day 2 - Tuesday 22 October 2024
All times are in IST (GMT +5.5 hours)

9:00 - 9:15 Opening Remarks by Three Ten Initiative Technologies LLP

Session Theme: Mass Transfer Internals - II

(9:20 - 9:40) - Sulzer MellapakEvo™ - Packed for Evolution! #Chemical/Oil&Gas
Session 6
Rahul Wankhede, Sulzer Chemtech
9:20 - 10:00
(9:40 - 10:00) - Improving Column Efficiency and Flexibility in Increasingly Challenging Markets
Dr. Anand Vennavelli, Koch Engineered Solutions #Chemical/Oil&Gas

10:00 - 10:10 Session 6 Panel Discussion

Session Theme: Process Diagnostics

(10:15 - 10:35) - Investigation of Flooding in a Crude Distillation Tower using Gamma Ray Diagnostic
Method #Oil&Gas
Session 7
Vinay Bhave, Board of Radiation and Isotope Technology
10:15 - 10:55
(10:35 - 10:55) - Mitigating High MCR in Vacuum Gas Oil : A Diagnostic Approach Using Gamma
Scanning at BPCL Kochi Refinery #Oil&Gas
Sandra Jagadeesh, Bharat Petroleum Corp. Ltd.

10:55 - 11:05 Session 7 Panel Discussion

11:05 - 11:35 ☕︎ Morning Coffee & Networking Break

Session Theme: Process Control, Safety, and Digitalization - 2
(11:35 - 11:55) - Efficient Startup & Shutdown of a Crude Distillation Unit aided with Effective Alarm
Management for Quick Troubleshooting – A Case Study #Oil&Gas
Session 8
Pranay Singh, Fluor
11:35 - 12:15
(11:55 - 12:15) - Crude Unit Performance Analytics Dashboard: A Comprehensive View for Monitoring
and Optimization #Oil&Gas
Abhishek Atrey, Bharat Petroleum Corp. Ltd.

12:15 - 12:25 Session 8 Panel Discussion

12:25 - 13:25 🍽 Lunch & Networking Break

Session Theme: Revamps - II
(13:25 - 13:45) - RFCCU Revamp to Improve MF and Gascon Columns Performance and Minimize
Propylene Losses to ROG #Chemical/Oil&Gas
Unmesh Bhagwat, Sulzer
Session 9 (13:45 - 14:05) - Stabilizer Revamp: Unleashing Efficiency with High-Capacity Trays for Low Naphtha
13:25 - 14:25 RVP (< 7.3 psi) and Maximum Throughput in High-API Crudes #Oil&Gas
Rajasekhara Babu Manika, Bharat Petroleum Corp. Ltd.
(14:05 - 14:25) - Low-cost Revamp of Crude Distillation Unit for Throughput Increment at HPCL
Mumbai Refinery #Oil&Gas
Deepak Kumar Jha, Hindustan Petroleum Corp. Ltd.

14:25 - 14:40 Session 9 Panel Discussion

Session Theme: Research, Fundamentals, and New Technologies - II

(14:45 - 15:05) - Extractive Two-phase Reactive Distillation for the Separation of Aromatic Ketones
from an Azeotropic Mixture: Lab and Pilot Trials #Chemical/BiOCHEMICAL
Session 10
Dr. Pravin Borase, Tojo Vikas International Pvt. Ltd.
14:45 - 15:25
(15:05 - 15:25) - World's First Dual Wall Divided Column Operating Under Vacuum-Production of De-
aromatized Solvents; A refinery technology advancement #Chemical/Oil&Gas
Abhijeet Subudhi, Bharat Petroleum Corp. Ltd.

15:25 - 15:35 Session 10 Panel Discussion

15:35 - 16:05 ☕︎ Afternoon Coffee & Networking Break

16:05 - 16:25 Closing Remarks
Advisory Committee
A T Naidu
Hindustan Petroleum Corp. Ltd.
A. T. Naidu is the Executive Director of the Refineries Coordination Department at Hindustan
Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (HPCL). With over 30 years of experience in HPCL’s Visakh and
Mumbai refineries, he has worked extensively in technical departments, focusing on process
unit performance monitoring, troubleshooting, process design, and analysis. Naidu has led
numerous improvement initiatives, including digital transformations to enhance operational
efficiency. A Post Graduate in Chemical Engineering, he is known for his expertise in optimizing
refinery operations and implementing innovative solutions to drive performance improvements
across HPCL's refining units.

Chaitanya Kulkarni
Sulzer Chemtech
Chaitanya Kulkarni is a chemical engineer with 12 years of expertise in the oil and gas industry in
technical sales, cost estimation, and business development. He has extensive experience in the
EPC business and has been with Sulzer since 2022, overseeing upstream offshore projects for
technologies such as gas dehydration, natural gas processing, and oil and gas separation
packages

Ranjit Hirode
Shell
Ranjit Hirode is a Chemical Engineer with 18 years of professional experience and a Senior
Professional Member of AIChE. He graduated from the University of Pune in 2005 and started
his career in the chemicals manufacturing sector. Ranjit has held roles at organizations like
Deloitte & Touche Consulting and Endress & Hauser. In 2015, he joined Sulzer, specializing in
refinery-petrochemical simulations, hydraulic design, and troubleshooting. He continued his
distillation journey with Koch-Glitsch before joining Shell Technology Centre Bangalore in 2023
as a Technologist-Distillation and Light Ends, focusing on distillation R&D, column design, and
troubleshooting.

Ratheesh S
Bharat Petroleum Corp. Ltd.
Ratheesh is a Senior Manager in Process Technology at Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited,
Mumbai Refinery, India. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from Thangal
Kunju Musaliar College of Engineering, Kollam (University of Kerala). With over 13 years of
experience, he specializes in front-end engineering design, commissioning, start-ups, and
technical services for refineries. He has worked on Hydrotreating, Sulphur Recovery, Aromatics
Recovery, and Delayed Coking Units. Ratheesh has presented papers at national and
international forums, published three articles, and received several prestigious awards,
including the Greentech Quality & Innovation Award 2022.

Sandeep Yadav
Koch Engineered Solutions
Sandeep Yadav is Asst. General Manager - Application Engineering at Koch Engineered Solutions
India Pvt. Ltd. He Leads Application Engineering team for Mass Transfer, Separation Technology
and Heat Transfer in India. He has over 17 years’ experience in troubleshooting, revamping,
design of fractionation process, design of dividing wall columns and equipment’s. He has
authored 3 international publications on design, revamp and troubleshooting of the distillation
columns. He holds bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Shivaji University, India.
Session Chairs
Session 2 - Research, Fundamentals, and New Technologies - I
Debopam Chaudhuri
Fluor Corp.
DEBOPAM CHAUDHURI is a Process Engineer with Fluor Daniel India in New Delhi, and he is the
Subject Matter Expert and a Fluor Fellow of sulfur recovery processes. He has 23 years of
experience in petroleum refining, petrochemical complexes and upstream projects. He has
experiences across all phases of a project for a Sulfur Recovery Unit. His other expertise
includes hydrogen generation via the conventional SMR route and hydro treaters for middle
distillates. Mr. Chaudhuri earned his BSc and BTech degrees in chemistry and chemical
engineering from the University of Calcutta. His hobbies include creating new food recipes and
travelling to new places

Session 3 - Revamps - I

Ranjit Hirode
Shell
Ranjit Hirode is a Chemical Engineer with 18 years of professional experience and a Senior
Professional Member of AIChE. He graduated from the University of Pune in 2005 and started
his career in the chemicals manufacturing sector. Ranjit has held roles at organizations like
Deloitte & Touche Consulting and Endress & Hauser. In 2015, he joined Sulzer, specializing in
refinery-petrochemical simulations, hydraulic design, and troubleshooting. He continued his
distillation journey with Koch-Glitsch before joining Shell Technology Centre Bangalore in 2023
as a Technologist-Distillation and Light Ends, focusing on distillation R&D, column design, and
troubleshooting.

Session 4 - Process Control, Safety, and Digitalization - I

Sandeep Yadav
Koch Engineered Solutions
Sandeep Yadav is Asst. General Manager - Application Engineering at Koch Engineered Solutions
India Pvt. Ltd. He Leads Application Engineering team for Mass Transfer, Separation Technology
and Heat Transfer in India. He has over 17 years’ experience in troubleshooting, revamping,
design of fractionation process, design of dividing wall columns and equipment’s. He has
authored 3 international publications on design, revamp and troubleshooting of the distillation
columns. He holds bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Shivaji University, India.

Session 5 - Mass Transfer Internals - I

Deepak Kumar Jha

Hindustan Petroleum Corp. Ltd.
Deepak Kumar Jha, Sr. Manager in the Technical Services Department at HPCL's Mumbai
Refinery, is a Certified Energy Auditor with a B.Tech in Chemical Engineering from HBTI-Kanpur
and an Executive MBA from UPES. With 15+ years of experience, he's adept in Process
Engineering, Licensor Selection, and Refinery Mega Projects. His current role involves optimizing,
monitoring, and troubleshooting units like crude/vacuum distillation, LPG treatment, and
Hexane Production. Deepak is passionate about decarbonizing refineries through carbon
capture tech and is committed to the energy transition.
Session Chairs
Session 6 - Mass Transfer Internals - II
Shrijeet Ray
SH Engitech Pvt. Ltd.
Shrijeeth Ray is an expert in designing mass transfer column internals and process design for
distillation columns, scrubbers, and liquid-liquid extraction systems. With over 12 years of
experience in process engineering, he has successfully revamped multiple distillation columns,
improving capacity and efficiency. He has worked in the agrochemical and pharmaceutical
sectors, with companies such as Atul Ltd, Jubilant Lifesciences, and Raschig PMC India Pvt Ltd.
Currently, Shrijeeth is the Director of Process Systems at SH Engitech Pvt Ltd, leveraging his IIM
Calcutta certification in sales and marketing to drive innovation and technical excellence in
projects.

Session 7 - Process Diagnostics

Chaitanya Kulkarni
Sulzer India Pvt. Ltd.
Chaitanya Kulkarni is a chemical engineer with 12 years of expertise in the oil and gas industry in
technical sales, cost estimation, and business development. He has extensive experience in the
EPC business and has been with Sulzer since 2022, overseeing upstream offshore projects for
technologies such as gas dehydration, natural gas processing, and oil and gas separation
packages

Session 8 - Process Control, Safety, and Digitalization - II

Harshita Darlapudi
Reliance Industries Ltd.
Harshita Darlapudi graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering from NIT
Warangal in 2022 and joined Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) the same year. She currently
serves as a Research Scientist in RIL’s Research and Technology group, where she applies
process engineering principles to drive high performance in process design and simulation,
technology development, and the creation of basic engineering design packages. Her work also
includes troubleshooting and debottlenecking plant operations, as well as conducting heat pinch
and column targeting analysis, contributing to the optimization and efficiency of various
processes at RIL.

Session 9 - Revamps - II

Ashraf Lakha
RVT Process Equipment
Ashraf Lakha is an engineer with over 30 years of experience in the hydrocarbon industry,
specializing in mass transfer and separation processes. His extensive expertise spans both
management and engineering roles, with a strong focus on conceptual design, design
development, and team supervision. Ashraf is adept at process analysis, training engineers, and
troubleshooting operating plants. His application knowledge covers a wide range of refinery
columns, including CDU/VDU, FCC and Hydrocracker Main Fractionators, Olefin Plants, and
Dividing Wall Columns (DWC). Ashraf's passion for engineering continues to drive his
contributions to the field of hydrocarbon processing.
Session Chairs
Session 10 - Research, Fundamentals, and New Technologies - II
Pramil Anand
Aarti Industries Ltd.
Pramil Anand boasts extensive experience in leading process development, technology
evaluation, and technical discussions with global partners. He excels in designing and
commissioning greenfield and brownfield specialty and petrochemical facilities. As a proven
technological leader, he has successfully implemented billion-dollar petrochemical complexes
and specialty chemical facilities, managing capital expenditures of approximately 600 Cr.
Currently, Pramil spearheads the development of pivotal technologies and processes. His
expertise spans BTX value chains, encompassing diverse chemistries like Ammoxidation,
Fluorination, Nitration, and more. With commercial proficiency in petrochemical olefinic
technology and polymerization processes, he directs a technology development group focused
on process intensification and achieving significant outcomes in product development.
Speaker Profiles
Session 1 - Distillation Masterclass
Henry Kister
Fluor Corp.
Henry Z. Kister is a Fluor Corp. Senior Fellow and Director of Fractionation Technology. He has
over 35 years experience in design, troubleshooting, revamping, field consulting, control and
startup of fractionation processes and equipment. He is the author of three books, the
distillation equipment chapter in Perry’s Handbook, the distillation chapter in the Kirk-Othmer
Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, and over 130 articles. Kister has taught the IChemE-
sponsored “Practical Distillation Technology” course over 530 times in 26 countries, and a recent
“Troubleshooting Distillation Controls” course, also sponsored by IChemE. A recipient of several
awards, Kister obtained his BE and ME degrees from the University of NSW in Australia. He is a
Fellow of IChemE and AIChE, Member of the US National Academy of Engineering, and has been
serving on the FRI Technical Advisory and Design Practices Committees for more than 25 years.

Session 2 - Research, Fundamentals, and New Technologies - I

Pramil Anand
Aarti Industries Ltd.
Pramil Anand boasts extensive experience in leading process development, technology
evaluation, and technical discussions with global partners. He excels in designing and
commissioning greenfield and brownfield specialty and petrochemical facilities. As a proven
technological leader, he has successfully implemented billion-dollar petrochemical complexes
and specialty chemical facilities, managing capital expenditures of approximately 600 Cr.
Currently, Pramil spearheads the development of pivotal technologies and processes. His
expertise spans BTX value chains, encompassing diverse chemistries like Ammoxidation,
Fluorination, Nitration, and more. With commercial proficiency in petrochemical olefinic
technology and polymerization processes, he directs a technology development group focused
on process intensification and achieving significant outcomes in product development.

Vito Sangiorgio
Sulzer Chemtech
Vito Sangiorgio is a Process Specialist in the Renewables Process Technology department of
Sulzer Chemtech. He joined the company in 2022 as a Process Engineer and his main focus is on
VoltaSplit™ electrified distillation with heat pump and MVR. Before joining Sulzer, Vito worked as
Process Engineer in EPC and as Field Process Engineer in a 2G-bioethanol plant in Italy. He holds
a master’s degree in Chemical and Process Engineering from Politecnico di Milano, a Double
Degree in Chemical and Sustainable Process Engineering from Politecnico di Torino, and a
diploma of Alta Scuola Politecnica.

Ranjit Hirode
Shell
Ranjit Hirode is a Chemical Engineer with 18 years of professional experience and a Senior
Professional Member of AIChE. He graduated from the University of Pune in 2005 and started
his career in the chemicals manufacturing sector. Ranjit has held roles at organizations like
Deloitte & Touche Consulting and Endress & Hauser. In 2015, he joined Sulzer, specializing in
refinery-petrochemical simulations, hydraulic design, and troubleshooting. He continued his
distillation journey with Koch-Glitsch before joining Shell Technology Centre Bangalore in 2023
as a Technologist-Distillation and Light Ends, focusing on distillation R&D, column design, and
troubleshooting.
Speaker Profiles
Session 3 - Revamps - I
Sandeep Yadav
Koch Engineered Solutions
Sandeep Yadav is Asst. General Manager - Application Engineering at Koch Engineered Solutions
India Pvt. Ltd. He Leads Application Engineering team for Mass Transfer, Separation Technology
and Heat Transfer in India. He has over 17 years’ experience in troubleshooting, revamping,
design of fractionation process, design of dividing wall columns and equipment’s. He has
authored 3 international publications on design, revamp and troubleshooting of the distillation
columns. He holds bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Shivaji University, India.

Dr. Peter Wilkinson

Sulzer Chemtech
Dr. Peter Wilkinson holds a PhD in Chemical Engineering and is a global expert in distillation at
Sulzer. With over 30 years of experience at Shell, he held assignments in the Netherlands, Japan,
and Bangalore. During his tenure, Dr. Wilkinson led distillation R&D, developing new mass
transfer devices like the Shell ConSep trays, previously showcased at the Distillation Conclave.
He also played a key role in the Shell/Sulzer alliance and has extensive experience in
troubleshooting and revamping distillation systems across refining, chemicals, and LNG
industries. His presentation focuses on a C3 splitter design and revamp project.

Rajat Gandhi
Hindustan Petroleum Corp. Ltd.
Rajat Gandhi is a Chemical Engineer with 10 years of experience, currently serving as Assistant
Manager Technical in Process Analysis and Design for CDU VDU & ATF Treating. He contributed
to the field execution of CDU VDU-I Revamp (April-September 2021) and the CDU-II turnaround
(April-May 2024). Rajat developed a simulation model for CDU VDU-I using Aspen Hysys. He
previously worked as an operations engineer in the Continuous Catalytic Reforming (CCR) unit
for over four years. Rajat holds a Master's degree in Chemical Engineering from IIT Bombay
(2018-2020) and a Bachelor's degree from IIT Roorkee. He also developed a simulation model
for the Solvent Extraction and Propane Dewaxing Unit using Aspen Plus.

Session 4 - Process Control, Safety, and Digitalization - I

Harshita Darlapudi
Reliance Industries Ltd.
Harshita Darlapudi graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering from NIT
Warangal in 2022 and joined Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) the same year. She currently
serves as a Research Scientist in RIL’s Research and Technology group, where she applies
process engineering principles to drive high performance in process design and simulation,
technology development, and the creation of basic engineering design packages. Her work also
includes troubleshooting and debottlenecking plant operations, as well as conducting heat pinch
and column targeting analysis, contributing to the optimization and efficiency of various
processes at RIL.
Speaker Profiles
Ayan Dasgupta
Fluor India Pvt. Ltd.
Ayan Dasgupta has over 22 years of experience in process engineering, specializing in acid gas
treatment. He has contributed to multiple stages of projects, from process studies to Front-End
Engineering Design (FEED), lump sum, and detailed design. Ayan is a global subject matter
expert on acid gas treatment at Fluor, where his current work focuses on treating acid gases
from various refinery units, gas plants, and green refineries. His extensive expertise and hands-
on experience make him a key figure in the successful execution of complex engineering
projects within the refining and gas processing industries.

Session 5 - Mass Transfer Internals - I

Zack Bondley
Koch-Glitsch
Zack Bondley is the Global Technology Leader for Packing Products and Internals at Koch-
Glitsch, with over 10 years of experience in mass transfer. He specializes in the design,
operation, and troubleshooting of packed tower systems. Zack began his career at Koch-Glitsch
as a Process Engineer, focusing on distillation, absorption, plastic packing and internals, and
liquid-liquid extraction. Based in Wichita, KS, he serves as the subject matter expert for packing
mass transfer at Koch-Glitsch. Additionally, Zack is an instructor at the Koch Engineered
Solutions Institute Mass Transfer School, sharing his expertise with industry professionals.

Ashraf Lakha
RVT Process Equipment
Ashraf Lakha is an engineer with over 30 years of experience in the hydrocarbon industry,
specializing in mass transfer and separation processes. His extensive expertise spans both
management and engineering roles, with a strong focus on conceptual design, design
development, and team supervision. Ashraf is adept at process analysis, training engineers, and
troubleshooting operating plants. His application knowledge covers a wide range of refinery
columns, including CDU/VDU, FCC and Hydrocracker Main Fractionators, Olefin Plants, and
Dividing Wall Columns (DWC). Ashraf's passion for engineering continues to drive his
contributions to the field of hydrocarbon processing.

Session 6 - Mass Transfer Internals - II

Rahul Wankhede
Sulzer Chemtech
Rahul Wankhede is a Chemical Engineer with over 17 years of experience specializing in Process
Design, Simulation, Basic Engineering, and Process Intensification in the chemical and specialty
chemical manufacturing industries. He provides technical support focused on simulation and
basic engineering for these sectors. Rahul’s expertise includes process development and
intensification, process and project design, simulation, basic engineering, as well as technical
services and troubleshooting. His extensive knowledge and experience make him a valuable
asset in optimizing processes and enhancing performance within the chemical industry.
Speaker Profiles
Dr. Anand Vennavelli
Koch-Glitsch
Dr. Anand Vennavelli holds a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from Osmania
University, India, and M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Chemical Engineering from Oklahoma State
University. He is a registered Professional Engineer (P.E.) in Texas with over 10 years of
experience in process and control engineering. Dr. Vennavelli has worked as an Advanced
Process Control engineer at Phillips 66 and as a Research Engineer at Fractionation Research,
Inc. (FRI). Currently, he is the Pilot Plant Manager at Koch-Glitsch R&D, overseeing distillation and
separation experiments. He also serves as an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Oklahoma State
University and is actively involved with AIChE and ISA106 committees.

Session 7 - Process Diagnostics

Vinay Bhave
Board of Radiation & Isotope Technology
Vinay Bhave completed his B.E. in Mechanical Engineering from Pune University. He is currently
working as DGM (IAS) at Board of Radiation and Isotope Technology, Navi Mumbai. He has been
working in the field of industrial application of radio-isotopes for diagnostics & troubleshooting
of the malfunctions present in the process plant, design of the source storage casks and
irradiation facilities. These radiation techniques have been applied to public sector as well as
private sector petrochemical industries, for scanning of process columns, identification of
leakages in pipelines and heat exchangers, scanning of pipes for blockage detection, and pig
tracking etc. which are very helpful to take critical decisions regarding operation and shutdown.

Sandra Jagadeesh
Bharat Petroleum Corp. Ltd.
Sandra Jagadeesh, hailing from Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, is a Chemical Engineer with a degree
from NIT Rourkela and 6 years of experience in crude distillation unit (CDU) processes. He is
currently an Assistant Manager at BPCL Kochi Refinery, where he leads energy and digital
initiatives for the CDU. Over the past six years, Sandra has successfully planned and executed
three turnarounds, ensuring timely and safe completion. His comprehensive understanding of
the hydrocarbon value chain, including exploration, refining, petrochemicals, and chemicals
production, enables him to optimize processes with a holistic and innovative approach.

Session 8 - Process Control, Safety, and Digitalization - II

Pranay Singh
Fluor
Pranay has nearly 15 years of experience in the EPC industry and more than 11 years with Fluor
in Process Technology function. He has worked on a wide variety of Key Projects with Fluor for
their clients worldwide such as Shell, KNPC, KIPIC, Pertamina, Galp, Arcelor Mittal, FCL Canada,
Saudi Phos, SABIC to name a few. He had a significant site exposure as he was the Joint Venture
Program Lead and delivered the Operator Training Simulator to a key Client. He has presented a
wide range of Technical papers in International and National publications and has also
participated in many industry interactions as an Eminent Speaker. He is also a Life Member of
the prestigious Indian Institute of Chemical Engineers Forum. He is a diversity candidate and a
Global Emerging Leaders Group President at Fluor.
Speaker Profiles
Abhishek Atrey
Bharat Petroleum Corp. Ltd.
Abhishek Atrey is a valedictorian Chemical Engineering graduate with over seven years of
experience at BPCL's Mumbai refinery, specializing in crude distillation units. As the energy and
digital champion for process units, he drives technology integration to optimize operations.
Abhishek is passionate about combining data analytics and machine learning to develop
inferential models that enhance decision-making. He excels at transforming complex datasets
into user-friendly presentations, enabling data-driven strategies. With a commitment to
excellence and innovation, Abhishek is dedicated to shaping the future of the industry through
his expertise in process optimization and technological advancements.

Session 9 - Revamps - II

Unmesh Bhagwat
Sulzer Chemtech
Unmesh Bhagwat is a Chemical Engineer from Pune University with over 18 years of experience.
He specializes in reviewing and performing process simulations and hydraulic calculations for
distillation columns in refinery applications. His expertise includes handling basic engineering
packages, sizing column internals such as trays, packings, and distributors, and designing heat
exchangers. Unmesh also provides support for commissioning and troubleshooting activities. As
the Refinery Applications Manager at Sulzer, he has successfully completed several revamp
projects for key refinery units like CDU, VDU, FCC, and treating units, driving efficiency and
optimization in refinery operations.

Rajasekhara Babu Manika

Bharat Petroleum Corp. Ltd.
Rajasekhara Babu M is currently the Chief Manager of Process Technology at Bharat Petroleum
Corporation Limited, Kochi Refinery, India. He holds a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering
from Bapatla Engineering college, Bapatla, affiliated with the Acharya Nagarjuna University of
Andhra Pradesh. He holds a Master degree in Chemical engineering from National Institute of
Technology Warangal. With more than 18 years of experience in refinery operations and process
engineering with a strong focus on pre-commissioning, commissioning, startup, shutdown, and
troubleshooting of CDU (Crude distillation unit), DCU (Delayed Coker unit) and FCCU (Fluidized
catalytic cracking unit) units. Special expertise in turnaround, energy, and reliability initiatives.

Deepak Kumar Jha

Fluor
Deepak Kumar Jha, Sr. Manager in the Technical Services Department at HPCL's Mumbai
Refinery, is a Certified Energy Auditor with a B.Tech in Chemical Engineering from HBTI-Kanpur
and an Executive MBA from UPES. With 15+ years of experience, he's adept in Process
Engineering, Licensor Selection, and Refinery Mega Projects. His current role involves optimizing,
monitoring, and troubleshooting units like crude/vacuum distillation, LPG treatment, and
Hexane Production. Deepak is passionate about decarbonizing refineries through carbon
capture tech and is committed to the energy transition.
Speaker Profiles
Session 10 - Research, Fundamentals, and New Technologies - II
Dr. Pravin Borase
Tojo Vikas International Pvt. Ltd.
Dr. Pravin Borase is the Business Head at Tojo Vikas International Pvt. Ltd., overseeing R&D of
new perfumery molecules and strategic business planning. He earned a PhD in Chemistry from
the Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai, and has over 12 years of industrial research
experience. Dr. Borase has published eight research papers in peer-reviewed journals and
presented at international conferences. His expertise includes the organic synthesis of aroma
chemicals, pharmaceutical intermediates, and functional dyes, as well as developing nano-
catalysts and fluorescent probes for biological and trace metal analysis applications. He is also
proficient in supramolecular chemistry and ionic liquids.

Abhijeet Subudhi
Bharat Petroleum Corp. Ltd.
Abhijeet Subudhi is an Assistant Manager of Operations at Bharat Petroleum Corporation
Limited, Mumbai Refinery. A certified Boiler Operation Engineer (BOE), he has over 6 years of
experience in managing the Hydrocracker complex. Abhijeet played a key role in the turnaround
of the Hydrocracker Unit (HCU) complex in 2022 and was part of the operations team
responsible for replacing the IDF reactor catalyst with Bharat Hi. Additionally, he presented on
MAK Drillol at the CHT-2022 meet. His expertise and dedication make him a valuable asset in
refinery operations and process optimization.
Organizer Profiles
Dr. Upasana Manimegalai Sridhar received her B. Tech.
degree from Anna University (India) in 2009, followed by M.S.
(2010) and Ph.D. (2014) degrees in chemical engineering from
Oklahoma State University (USA). She began her career at
Covestro (formerly Bayer Material Science) at Baytown, Texas,
where she primarily worked as a Process Dynamics and
Optimization Specialist, focusing on process control,
modelling, and optimization. Her additional responsibilities
included working in the Process Safety group at Covestro.
Currently, as the Director at Three Ten Initiative Technologies
Dr. Upasana Manimegalai Sridhar
LLP in Visakhapatnam, India, she leads skill development
Director initiatives and drives engineering software development
prototyping for major industrial software manufacturers.

Dr. Anand Govindarajan, received his B. Tech. from Anna

University (India), and M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from Oklahoma
State University (USA), all in chemical engineering. Dr.
Govindarajan has led/conducted trainings on gas treating and
Sulphur recovery for dozens of engineers in India, Singapore,
Saudi Arabia, UAE, and USA. Presently Dr. Govindarajan is the
Director of 310i Technologies in Vizag, India, Prior to this Dr.
Govindarajan has been part of VA Tech WABAG, SSN Research
Centre, Sun to Market Solutions, Fractionation Research Inc,
and Optimized Gas Treating in various roles. Dr. Govindarajan
Dr. Anand Govindarajan
was also Co-Chair of the Separations Division of the American
Director Institute of Chemical Engineers, and was also on the panel of
the Board of Studies of SSN College of Engineering-Chennai.
CONTACT
www.distillationconclave.com
[email protected]
+91 9676611950