Engineers India Limited (EIL) achieved a major milestone in biofuel innovation with the grant of a patent by the Indian Patent Office for its pioneering design titled “Distillation Column Internals Design for 2G Ethanol BioRefinery with Very Low Lignin Biomass Feed.” Remarkably, the patent was awarded in under two years, making it one of the fastest patents ever granted to the company.
Strengthening Leadership in Carbon-Negative Bio-Technologies
With this latest innovation, EIL has firmly established its presence in the bio-technology domain with a carbon-negative footprint. The breakthrough strengthens EIL’s position as a key technology provider capable of delivering Net Zero solutions to both bio-refineries and conventional refineries within the oil and gas sector.
Overcoming a Key Challenge in 2G Ethanol Production
The patented distillation design addresses one of the most complex challenges in second-generation (2G) ethanol production — managing lignin-rich ethanol broths during the distillation process. EIL’s novel solution enables:
*Efficient ethanol recovery and purification from complex fermentation broths
*Adaptability to diverse biomass feedstocks used across India
*Improved reliability and reduced downtime in 2G bio-refineries
*Enhanced contribution to India’s Ethanol Blending Programme (EBP)
The innovation will significantly boost the efficiency, scalability, and sustainability of 2G ethanol production, supporting India’s transition to cleaner fuels.
New Patent for Fired Heater Innovation: “EngUniflowChakra”
In addition to its ethanol distillation breakthrough, EIL has also been granted a patent for its cutting-edge “Air Distribution Duct System for a Fired Heater System,” an innovation named “EngUniflowChakra.”
This novel design streamlines air distribution to each burner in a fired heater system, eliminating the need for expansion joints and thereby reducing maintenance costs while simplifying the manufacturing process.
Moreover, by following specific geometric principles, the design removes the need for Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modelling and costly internal duct modifications, offering a more cost-effective and efficient solution for fired heater operations.
Driving Innovation for a Sustainable Future
With these two patents, EIL has once again demonstrated its commitment to innovation, sustainability, and technological leadership. As reported by chinimandi.com, the company’s advances in 2G ethanol bio-refining and fired heater systems underscore its pivotal role in driving India’s clean energy transition and supporting the nation’s ambitions toward a Net Zero future.
