HLL Lifecare has set up a Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) storage and regasification facility with a capacity of 39.5 cubic metres to replace furnace oil for fuelling burners at its factory at Peroorkada.

Chief Minister Oommen Chandy inaugurated the facility in the presence of K Muraleedharan MLA.

First instance

M Ayyappan, Chairman and Managing Director, HLL Lifecare, said that this is the first instance of any public sector organisation having made the switch to LNG for fuel.

LNG is converted into natural gas with the help of vaporisers, controlled by a programmable logic controller. This natural gas is used as fuel in the boiler and the steam generated used for manufacturing operations.

The Chief Minister said that the state has exempted LNG from Value Added Tax in last year’s budget. “We should make maximum use of it.’ Ayyappan requested the Chief Minister to extend the exemption.

Clearances secured

The storage facility and operations had to secure several standards and safety clearances, particularly from the Petroleum Explosives and Safety Organisation, Nagpur.

Technology for the tank is provided by Isisan, a global industry leader and a Turkey-based company.

The Peroorkada plant requires nine mt of LNG for its daily operations. “Our requirement is 240 metric tonnes per year,” Ayyappan said.

Even though the installation of the system was completed in 2014, successful trial runs and stabilisation had to be ensured ahead of the official inauguration of the commercial operation.

Local MLA Muraleedharan appreciated the company for taking the residents in the area before setting up this facility.

Among those present at the inaugural function were RK Garg, finance director, Petronet LNG; KRS Krishnan, Babu Thomas, RP Khandelwal, directors, HLL; and P Sreekumar, senior vice president.

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