Wikipedia

Draft:LPG Equipment Research Centre

LPG Equipment Research Centre
AbbreviationLERC
Formation1990
TypeResearch and testing organization
PurposeTesting, certification, standardization and research of LPG equipment
HeadquartersBengaluru, Karnataka, India
Region served
India
Parent organization
Indian Oil Corporation Limited, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited
Websitewww.lerc.co.in

LPG Equipment Research Centre (LERC)[1] is an Indian research, testing and certification organization specializing in equipment used for the storage, distribution and utilization of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). Headquartered in Bengaluru, Karnataka, the organization conducts testing, quality assurance, product evaluation, standardization and applied research related to LPG cylinders, pressure regulators, valves,rubber hoses, cooking appliances and associated equipment.[2][3]

Dr. T. D. Sabu serves as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the LPG Equipment Research Centre (LERC), Bengaluru.[4] LERC was established in 1990 as a joint initiative of Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) to support safety, quality control and technical standardization within India's LPG industry.[5]

History

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The growth of LPG consumption in India during the late twentieth century led to increased demand for standardized testing and evaluation of LPG equipment. LERC was established in Bengaluru in 1990 under the aegis of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas to provide specialized testing and certification services for LPG-related products used across the country.[6]

According to the World Liquid Gas Association, LERC serves as a central technical institution for LPG equipment research, testing and standards-related activities in India.[7]

Organization

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LERC is jointly promoted by Indian Oil Corporation Limited, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited. The centre undertakes testing, certification and technical evaluation activities in the energy sector with a primary focus on LPG-related equipment and applications.[8]

The organization provides laboratory-based testing and quality assessment services for LPG cylinders, pressure regulators, hoses, valves, burners and cooking appliances intended for domestic, commercial and industrial use.[9]

Research and development

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LERC has been associated with research and testing activities involving alternative fuels and LPG-compatible technologies. Several reports on research conducted by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research – National Chemical Laboratory (CSIR-NCL) noted that prototype burners capable of operating on liquefied petroleum gas, dimethyl ether (DME), and blended fuels were tested for efficiency at the LPG Equipment Research Centre in Bengaluru.[10][11][12]

The centre was also referenced in reports concerning the development of indigenous DME technology intended to reduce India's dependence on imported LPG. Research articles published by The Indian Express, The Economic Times, Hindustan Times, Mathrubhumi, LatestLY and other publications described testing activities conducted at LERC as part of evaluating flex-fuel burner systems and alternative cooking-fuel technologies.[13][14][15]

Additional reports described LERC's role in testing burner prototypes capable of operating across a range of fuel compositions, from 100 percent LPG to 100 percent DME, including intermediate blends.[16][17]

Technical contributions

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LERC has participated in the testing and approval of LPG accessories and safety-related products used within India's LPG distribution system. Reports published by Indian Oil Corporation have stated that certain LPG products and accessories distributed through its network were tested and approved by the LPG Equipment Research Centre in Bengaluru.[18]

Media reports have also referenced LERC in connection with the evaluation of high-pressure variable regulators and commercial LPG hoses intended for market introduction by oil marketing companies.[19]

The centre has additionally been cited in reports relating to ethanol-compatible cooking stoves and other alternative-fuel technologies under development in India.[20][21]

Products

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Among the products associated with LERC is the Suraksha LPG Hose, which has been reported as being manufactured under [[quality-control procedures and certified in accordance with applicable Indian standards for LPG hose applications.[22]

LERC has also been referenced in testing reports related to radiant-heat cooking stoves and thermal-efficiency assessments of LPG appliances.[23]

See also

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References

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  1. ↑ "WLGA New Member – LPG Equipment Research Centre (LERC)". World Liquid Gas Association. Retrieved 9 June 2026.
  2. ↑ "The prototype has been tested for efficiency at the LPG Equipment Research Centre in Bengaluru". The Economic Times. 2026. Retrieved 9 June 2026.
  3. ↑ "Pune-based scientists develop synthetic gas that can become an alternative to LPG". The Economic Times. 19 March 2026. Retrieved 11 June 2026.
  4. ↑ "Dr. T. D. Sabu serves as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of LERC". India Energy Week 2026. Retrieved 11 June 2026.
  5. ↑ "LPG Equipment Research Centre Official Website". LERC. Retrieved 9 June 2026.
  6. ↑ "Dr. T.D. Sabu – India Energy Week 2026 Technical Committee". India Energy Week. Retrieved 10 June 2026.
  7. ↑ "WLGA New Member – LPG Equipment Research Centre (LERC)". World Liquid Gas Association. Retrieved 10 June 2026.
  8. ↑ "Dr. T.D. Sabu – India Energy Week 2026 Technical Committee". India Energy Week. Retrieved 10 June 2026.
  9. ↑ "WLGA New Member – LPG Equipment Research Centre (LERC)". World Liquid Gas Association. Retrieved 10 June 2026.
  10. ↑ "CSIR-NCL flags dimethyl ether as potential LPG alternative amid supply concerns". CNBC-TV18. 2026. Retrieved 10 June 2026.
  11. ↑ "CSIR-NCL develops indigenous Dimethyl Ether technology to lower LPG imports". The News Mill. March 2026. Retrieved 11 June 2026.
  12. ↑ "Amid West Asia crisis, CSIR-NCL says DME potential indigenous alternative to LPG". NewsDrum. 2026. Retrieved 11 June 2026.
  13. ↑ "From LERC lab to industry: Amid LPG shortages, CSIR-NCL's homegrown DME technology promises cleaner alternative". The Indian Express. 2026. Retrieved 10 June 2026.
  14. ↑ "Pune-based scientists develop synthetic gas that can become an alternative to LPG". The Economic Times. 2026. Retrieved 10 June 2026.
  15. ↑ "Dimethyl Ether emerges as clean, indigenous alternative to LPG". Hindustan Times. 2026. Retrieved 10 June 2026.
  16. ↑ "CSIR-NCL develops indigenous Dimethyl Ether technology to reduce LPG imports". Mathrubhumi. 2026. Retrieved 10 June 2026.
  17. ↑ "Lab to Life: CSIR-NCL Develops Indigenous Dimethyl Ether Technology to Reduce LPG Imports". LatestLY. 2026. Retrieved 10 June 2026.
  18. ↑ "Non-Fuel Products for Indane Customers". Indian Oil Corporation. Retrieved 10 June 2026.
  19. ↑ "IndianOil announces chef Sanjeev Kapoor as brand ambassador for Indane XTRATEJ LPG". ANI. 28 August 2023. Retrieved 10 June 2026.
  20. ↑ "Moving beyond LPG: Which alternatives can power Indian kitchens next?". The Times of India. 2026. Retrieved 10 June 2026.
  21. ↑ "Petroleum Industry Stakeholders Urge Major Players For Scaleup In Ethanol As Cooking-Fuel Alternative". NDTV Profit. 2026. Retrieved 10 June 2026.
  22. ↑ "LPG Price in Panjim". Goodreturns. Retrieved 10 June 2026.
  23. ↑ "The President's Palette Project". Bangalore Mirror. 2017. Retrieved 10 June 2026.

Category:Energy research institutes Category:Petroleum industry in India

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