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Calling India’s Brightest Engineering Minds!

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About the Event

HPCL-Mittal Energy Limited (HMEL) invites the brightest engineering minds to bring fresh thinking, bold ideas, and cutting-edge technology to solve some of the most pressing energy and sustainability challenges of our time.

This is your opportunity to think beyond the classroom, innovate with purpose, and contribute to a brighter, greener future.

Participation Details

Entries

Up to 2 original ideas per Team

Abstract

Keep it concise (300-350 words) — visuals not included

Theme

Make sure your ideas align with the contest themes

Submission

Only via our official portal

Deadline

Late or incomplete submissions will not be accepted

Eligibility Criteria

Who's Eligible?

B.Tech & M.Tech students from recognised institutions.

Make a Team

2-5 members per team including mentor

What to keep in mind

Interdisciplinary groups encouraged!

Themes

Craft your solutions with the chosen themes in mind, demonstrating both creativity and relevance to the problem statements.

  • Cost-Effective Manufacturing of Niche Chemicals
  • Catalyst/process optimization for production of value-added aromatics from FCC gasoline
  • Green synthesis of pharmaceutical intermediates using refinery aromatics
  • Innovative Unit Operations for Specialty Production
  • Green, Bio-based, or Hybrid Specialty Chemicals
  • Fermentation + catalytic upgrading to specialty solvents or polymers
  • Lignin valorization into surfactants or phenolic resins via biorefinery route
  • Production of green solvents using refinery-available utilities
  • AI-based recipe optimization for multi-step specialty chemical synthesis

  • Predictive failure modeling for rotating equipment using sensor fusion and deep learning
  • Vibration and acoustic signal analysis using ML for early fault detection in pumps or compressors
  • AI-based pinch analysis and utility optimization for refinery energy network
  • ML models for NOx/SOx/CO2 emissions prediction and control recommendations
  • AI model for predicting material properties (e.g., catalysts, battery materials) from structure
  • Computer vision system for detecting unsafe behavior or PPE violations in refinery areas
  • ML model for predicting likelihood of safety-critical events using historical logs

  • Green olefins from bioethanol - feasibility for integration into petrochemical units
  • Production of bio-aromatics from lignin and co-feeding with pyrolysis gasoline
  • Design of catalyst systems for polyolefin cracking to valuable intermediates
  • Conversion of refinery CO2 to methanol, formic acid or syngas using non-conventional catalysts
  • Design of closed-loop petrochemical value chains using recycled plastics and captured carbon

  • Advanced electrolyzer design for large-scale hydrogen
  • Novel electro-catalyst development for efficient and low-cost hydrogen production
  • Electrolysis using wastewater or seawater for hydrogen in industrial zones
  • Hybrid solar-wind-powered electrolyzer systems

  • Carbon Capture and Utilization (CCU) & Conversion Technologies
  • Microbial conversion of CO2 to value-added products
  • Process modeling of SAF production integration with existing hydrogen and hydro treating units
  • Use of oxygen from electrolyzer (byproduct of green hydrogen) for process intensification
  • Converting refinery by-products into green chemicals
  • Electrocatalytic or photocatalytic production of green chemicals using refinery CO2
  • Bio-based alternatives to refinery chemicals - feasibility and drop-in replacements
  • Pinch analysis for process integration and heat recovery
  • Energy-efficient operation of fired heaters or hydrogen reformers

  • Hybrid solar-thermal + boiler systems to preheat process water
  • Solar-powered drone or robotic inspection units in refinery zones
  • Solar-assisted steam generation for refinery heating needs
  • Design of wind shields or ducts to amplify wind speeds for turbine efficiency
  • AI-based wind pattern analysis to site mini turbines around refinery land

  • Development of high-performance anodes/cathodes from refinery by-products
  • Thermal management system design for grid-scale Li-ion battery storage in industrial environments
  • Solid-state battery materials design for high-temperature industrial applications
  • Design of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) powered by refinery-sourced green hydrogen
  • Design of hybrid battery-super capacitor systems for industrial peak load management
  • Development of petcock-derived porous carbon for super capacitor electrodes
  • Metal-air batteries (e.g., Zn-air, Al-air) for low-cost backup power in process plants

  • Design of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)
  • Nuclear radiation shielding using refinery by-products
  • Using SMR electricity for electrocatalytic production of green chemicals
  • Concept of using nuclear heat for high-temp materials testing
  • Miniaturized radiation shielding system design using in-house by-products

Prizes & Opportunities

1st Prize
₹3,00,000
  • Champion Team
  • Top Winner
2nd Prize
₹1,00,000
each
Awarded to the next top 10 performing teams
  • 10 Teams
  • Excellence
Institute Award
₹5,00,000
Awarded to the institute with the highest number of qualified entries
  • Institution Level
  • Top Performer

Important Dates to Remember

Stay on track with all the important milestones and deadlines for the upcoming competition.

Idea
Submission

July 1–31, 2025

Shortlist Announcement

August 14, 2025

Final
Presentations

August 22, 2025

Winners
Declaration

September 5, 2025

Terms & Conditions

  • Ideas must be original and free from copyright issues.
  • Participants keep ownership, but HMEL may use ideas for review and promotion.
  • If selected for development, HMEL will own the final IP with no revenue sharing.
  • Submissions must be practical, innovative, and within contest themes.
  • Offensive or copied content will be disqualified.
  • All decisions by the organizing team are final.
  • Providing misleading information or violating the rules will result in disqualification.
  • HMEL can modify, suspend, or cancel the contest at any time.
  • Legal matters will be handled under Delhi jurisdiction.
  • Contest entry indicates acceptance of all terms.

FAQs

Section 1: About QUEST Competition

A: QUEST is HMEL’s national innovation challenge for B.Tech (3rd & 4th year) and M.Tech students to propose breakthrough ideas in energy, fine chemicals, sustainability, and emerging technologies.

A: Students from recognized institutes, currently in the 3rd or 4th year of B.Tech or any year of M.Tech.

A:
  • Minimum: 2 members (including 1 faculty mentor)
  • Maximum: 5 members (4 students + 1 mentor)
  • A faculty mentor is mandatory

A:

Yes. Each team can submit a maximum of two different ideas, provided both are submitted within the deadline through separate forms. These ideas can be from the same or different themes - it is not mandatory to stick to one theme.

A:

Yes, teams can be interdisciplinary - members may come from different departments or disciplines within the same institute. However, this is not mandatory; teams from the same discipline are equally welcome.

A:

Absolutely. There is no cap on the number of participating teams from an institute.

A:
  • Innovation and originality
  • Technical soundness
  • Practical feasibility
  • Scalability
  • Alignment with HMEL’s focus areas
  • Social/environmental impact

A:

Refer to the brochure/website for specific dates. The competition includes registration, shortlisting, and a grand finale.

Section 2: Participation Form

A:

Only one student representative should fill out the form on behalf of the team for each idea submission.

A:

No. A student can participate in only one team. If a student is found to be part of multiple teams, all such teams will be disqualified.

A:

No. Please review carefully before submitting - editing after submission is not allowed.

A:

No. Only one submission per idea is needed from a single team representative.

A:

Yes. Each team must have one faculty mentor. Entries without a mentor will be considered ineligible.

Section 3: Submission and Evaluation Process

A: Teams must first submit a short abstract (300–350 words) through the participation form. If shortlisted, they will be invited to give a presentation of their idea in front of the jury during the final round.

A:
  • Submissions will go through a two-stage process:
  • Initial screening: based on the idea summary submitted through the participation form.
  • Final evaluation:Shortlisted teams will present their ideas through a virtual or live pitch to the jury.

A:

A panel of HMEL R&D experts, industry leaders, and subject matter specialists.

A:

Due to the high volume of entries, individual feedback will not be provided.

A:

Participation certificates will be awarded only to shortlisted teams.

A:

No. Once the participation form is submitted, the team composition cannot be changed.

A:

No. All ideas must be entirely original and created by the participating team members. Any idea found to be plagiarized or generated using AI tools will be disqualified.

Section 4: Contact & Support

A:

Email: info.quest@hmel.in

A:

Yes. For any technical issues with the form or clarification, reach out via the contact email.

A:

Please regularly check the www.hmel.in/quest regarding important updates, shortlisting, and finale details.