From day one, the excitement of exploring the world's largest and safest refinery set the tone for a unique three-month adventure. Working with an industrial research team, each walk around the plant felt like a condensed semester of learning. In just a week, I grasped the critical role of operations and maintenance in such a high-stakes environment. That's when I got my project: "Failure Analysis of SPU Pumps."

I began my internship by carrying out a comprehensive root-cause analysis. I identified the cause of failure to be ineffective cooling of the line shaft guide bushes. Recognizing this, I analyzed and proposed a potential solution by introducing a new cooling line to ensure continuous and effective cooling. I then proceeded to design a bush-locking mechanism to secure the bush's position relative to the shaft. I also recommended improvising the impeller's metallurgy from SS316 to SDSS due to its added advantages. I worked with material science experts to study the feasibility of using composite impellers. 

I always enjoyed my time at the plant and never realized that the clock had already ticked from morning to evening. During the onslaught of Cyclone Biparjoy in June 2023, I remained actively engaged in maintaining the machinery at the supersite to ensure cyclone preparedness. One particular day, while strolling with my colleagues, my attention was drawn towards overhauling a vertical pump. Aware of the high maintenance costs associated with vertical pumps, I initiated an analysis of their necessity for the given application. With a pit only 3 meters deep, I evaluated it against using horizontal self-priming pumps utilizing a decision matrix to fulfill the same purpose. Collaborating with the material science and finance teams, I  dug deeper into materials and maintenance costs. Subsequently, I reached out to various vendors to gather quotations for the specific models of the pump. This experience provided valuable insights and an unparalleled opportunity to work in a cross-functional environment. 

These three months turned out to be a win-win situation for both Reliance Industries Limited and me. Not only did my project save the organization $150,000, but it also provided me with a practical understanding of machines, factory erection, and maintenance activities. Collaborating with experienced minds from across India, spanning various departments, significantly enhanced my communication and leadership skills. The constant demand for attention to detail reinforced the importance of perfection in such a large-scale industry. My time here was remarkably productive, fostering growth in both technical and non-technical aspects. Upon returning to campus, I found myself able to approach things from a different perspective and manage the FSAE team more effectively—a valuable takeaway from the internship.