Leading global provider of mission critical air and gas handling products, technologies and services, Howden, has signed a contract to supply hydrogen reciprocating compressors for MSB Unit for the Numaligarh Refinery Expansion Project (NREP) in India.

Numaligarh Refinery Ltd is expanding its refining capacity from its current three million to nine million metric tons per annum (MMTPA) by installing a new six MMTPA capacity Crude Oil Distillation Unit/Vacuum Distillation Unit and associated downstream process units as part of the NREP.

The hydrogen rich gas compressor supplied by Howden will be used in a Continuous Catalytic Reforming (CCR) process, which is part of Motor Spirits Block Unit for compressing the hydrogen rich gas. This is a unique compressor with six large cylinders to handle the high volume of hydrogen.

In this process application, reciprocating piston type compressors are used for low pressure and high capacity hydrogen application. This results in large cylinders of approximately 1m in diameter, for which Howden is known to be the most experienced manufacturer.

Melle Kruisdijk, managing director of Howden’s Thomassen Reciprocating Compressors range, said: “One of the major factors for awarding this contract to Howden was our proven equipment reliability at competitive pricing, while meeting all the contractual requirements. With this contract we have demonstrated that we can be competitive in the local market by considering the right approach to address individual requirements.”

Parvesh Mittal, Howden managing director (India business), said: “Howden has proudly supported our customers in this region for over five decades. As a leading global provider of mission critical air and gas handling products, we work in partnership with our customers to deliver sustainable and customised solutions for their needs. With four sites in India — Chennai, Delhi, Hosur and Pune — we have responsive local service and delivery teams ready to support our customers.”

Howden focuses on helping customers increase the efficiency and effectiveness of their air and gas handling processes, enabling them to make sustainable improvements in their environmental impact. Howden designs, manufactures and supplies products, solutions and services to customers around the world across highly diversified end-markets and geographies.

The business recently announced its target to be carbon ‘net zero’ by 2035 through the purchase of renewable energy and carbon free energy; efficiency gains from energy conservation measures; and by renewable energy projects at its manufacturing facilities. The largest impact the business will have on global sustainability will be through its partnership with customers to supply equipment that will make a major impact on their carbon emissions and sustainability.