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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 Uab1Ahljsenf6eMmVTIQ76Dm5JYSWpxPWW+hIDFE4DL3I28CvjuHDxAuWZYLeBdb
 ne4BxONMc7gWOr8Im+Tskg==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000914122-08-000024.txt : 20080729
<SEC-HEADER>0000914122-08-000024.hdr.sgml : 20080729
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20080729174049
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000914122-08-000024
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20080619
FILED AS OF DATE:		20080729
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20080729

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BENSON THOMAS A
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001244972

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-32530
		FILM NUMBER:		08976860

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		7720 N LEHIGH AVE
		CITY:			NILES
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60714

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MFRI INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000914122
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	INDUSTRIAL & COMMERCIAL FANS & BLOWERS & AIR PURIFYING EQUIP [3564]
		IRS NUMBER:				363922969
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0131

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		7720 LEHIGH AVE
		CITY:			NILES
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60714
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8479661000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		7720 LEHIGH AVE
		CITY:			NILES
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60714

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	MIDWESCO FILTER RESOURCES INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19970402
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>form4benson061908_ex.xml
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2008-06-19</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000914122</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>MFRI INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>MFRI</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001244972</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>BENSON THOMAS A</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>7720 N LEHIGH AVE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NILES</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>IL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>60714</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Vice President</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock option - right to buy</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>17.635</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2008-06-19</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>5000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2018-05-31</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>5000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>27375</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The options vest in four equal installments on June 19, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Thomas A. Benson</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-07-29</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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