A Problem-Solving and Ideation Workshop was conducted on November 19, 2025, at the MRPL Desalination Plant for first-year Engineering students from Srinivas Institute of Technology. The workshop aimed to introduce students to large-scale seawater desalination, its operational challenges, and the engineering principles involved in producing potable and industrial-grade freshwater.

The program began with a Design Thinking session, facilitated by experts from MRPL. Students were oriented to the role of the desalination plant in refinery operations and were briefed on key stages such as seawater intake, pre-treatment, reverse osmosis (RO) membranes, and brine discharge systems.

Engineers explained the functioning of the seawater intake pipeline, highlighting challenges caused by marine growth like algae and barnacles, which reduce flow efficiency. Students then learned about the pre-treatment process, including coagulation, flocculation, media filtration, and cartridge filtration—critical for protecting RO membranes from fouling.

Seasonal challenges were discussed, particularly high turbidity during monsoon, which increases the load on filtration systems and contributes to membrane fouling. The session also covered major issues related to RO membrane fouling and scaling, including organic deposits, calcium carbonate buildup, high energy consumption, and the limitations of energy recovery systems.

Additional focus was given to sludge management from backwash processes and the environmentally regulated discharge of concentrated brine, both of which require careful monitoring and compliance with marine safety norms.

The visit also featured interactions with industry professionals from the automotive and aerospace sectors, who discussed real-world problem-solving methodologies, innovation practices, and ongoing industry projects. These insights helped students connect academic concepts with practical engineering challenges.

The workshop strengthened students’ abilities in ideation, teamwork, and structured problem-solving while exposing them to potential project ideas for future development under IIC initiatives.

The event was made possible through the guidance and support of Dr. Shrinivasa Mayya D, Principal of Srinivas Institute of Technology, and the coordination of Dr. Praveen Shenoy, IIC Coordinator. The workshop was effectively facilitated by Prof. Nithin Joshua, Assistant Professor, Department of Marine Engineering.