Mumbai: Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (BPCL) Mumbai Refinery marked 40 years of its Aromatics Recovery Unit (ARU), a facility commissioned in 1985 to extract benzene, toluene and xylene from crude oil during the refining process. By isolating these compounds, the unit has helped curb emissions and supported more environmentally responsible operations.
The ARU has seen several technological enhancements over the years. One of the key upgrades was the installation of a top-divided wall column, which enabled the unit to produce high-purity pharma-grade hexane. This advancement has also aided BPCL’s expansion into the petrochemicals sector.
The 40-year milestone was celebrated in the presence of Sanjay Khanna, Director (Refineries) with additional charge of C&MD, along with Abhai Raj Singh Bhandari, Executive Director (Mumbai Refinery), former Directors of Refineries, retired personnel and the current refinery team.
Speaking on the occasion, Sanjay Khanna said, “It is a matter of pride to see the consistent performance of the ARU. Our journey from 1985 to 2024 has been driven by innovation and continuous improvement.”
Abhai Raj Singh Bhandari added, “This is not just a celebration of 40 years of the ARU but a reflection of Mumbai Refinery’s resilience, team spirit and operational excellence.”
BI Bureau
